300/440/550 Need help...

Location
CA
I am getting really fed up with these skis...bought two 650sx's. On one of them, previous owner failed to mention it needed a new top end. My fault for not checking the compression. Instead of dumping money into it, I just want to get rid of it.

The second one I bought was in great shape. So I thought. I took it out about three times with no problems at all. Completely stock except for intake grate and ride plate. Now it doesn't want to start. After cranking and cranking you can hear where it wants to start for a brief second then more cranking.

Aside from taking it to the mechanic, I have no idea what to do or where to turn. I am waiting for a Clymers manual for these things but still haven't gotten the damn thing in the mail.

Don't know what to do........
 
Location
CA
No Primer...took the FA off and blasted some carb cleaner in there...While hitting start and blasting the cleaner in there, the engine will start and run off the cleaner. When I stop spraying, it runs while it burns whatever was left in there but dies soon after.

My guess is carb or fuel pump are dirty, lines may be clogged or some combination of the three...whatever it is engine is getting fuel.

Pretty sure I am running without a fuel filter. (stock '87 650sx)

Sound right to you?
 

ger87410

How did I get here?
Location
Fort Worth
It has a fuel pump???

If she doesn't, what you could try is spraying some WD-40 into the filter bowl so it's sucked up by the engine. I was told that'll loosen up your diaphragm, or free up the junk on it.

It worked in my old XP. Try putting your hand completely over the intake for a sec while you crank it. That should pull fuel into the engine.

Try rebuilding the carb.
 
Location
CA
Yea...stocker 650sx with separate fuel pump.

Where is the "filter bowl"?

Gonna go try covering the carb, by hand, right now. See what happens...

If it happens to be that the carb is the culprit, I don't want to waste the money on rebuilding the 28mm. In the process of upgrading to Kiehin 38mm. Would rather go that route than waste the money on rebuilding the crappy 28mm in there already.
 

Crab

thanks darin...noswad!
Location
Seattle
Yea...stocker 650sx with separate fuel pump.

Where is the "filter bowl"?

Gonna go try covering the carb, by hand, right now. See what happens...

If it happens to be that the carb is the culprit, I don't want to waste the money on rebuilding the 28mm. In the process of upgrading to Kiehin 38mm. Would rather go that route than waste the money on rebuilding the crappy 28mm in there already.
Most likely either the fuel pump is bad, or the tiny low speed jet is clogged. You should have a plastic fuel filter installed just before the carb to keep crap out on those. Test the pump by unhooking it where it goes into the carb and cranking the motor over, catch the fuel into a cup if it works. Also check the pulse line for damage.
 
Is the fuel valve in the on position? Gas in the tank?

Not trying to be a a$$ but always start out basic then move with the big items. If the valve is on and gas in the tank then you need a fuel pump diaphram or better a carb rebuild
 
Location
CA
Went to Lake Havasu this weekend and had to ride my friends skis because my don't work. That's why late response.

Hey Dude, why not just put a new top end in that 650? You can get cheap parts on ebay.

I have been considering a new top-end for my other 650 that absolutely needs it but from what I have learned is that I am looking at about $300 for parts + boring and that's not including the possibility of having to replace the crank. That sound about right to you?

Just got my Clymer's jet ski manual in the mail right now so been messing with the carb. Going to do the suggested fix's here. Thanks guys
 
Location
CA
Alright I tried trouble-shooting like some of you mentioned. WD-40 in Filter bowl didn't seem to do anything. I tried covering the Carb with the flame arrestor still on as best as I could and still didn't start up.

I will check the low jet tomorrow and blast some cleaner in there.

Gonna look into rebuilding the fuel pump and possible getting rid of the 28mm and getting a Kiehin 38...would it be alright to run the 38 on stock exhaust or would I have to get a pipe too?

Keep the input coming guys..I really want to get my "decent" ski up and running before the summer is out.

Thanks again!
 
Location
CA
Most likely either the fuel pump is bad, or the tiny low speed jet is clogged. You should have a plastic fuel filter installed just before the carb to keep crap out on those. Test the pump by unhooking it where it goes into the carb and cranking the motor over, catch the fuel into a cup if it works. Also check the pulse line for damage.

Unhooked the carb from fuel pump and it does spit out gas.

Unscrewed the low needle and it looks clean.

Pulse line looks like it is in good shape.

What else could it be?

I have been messing around with this thing all afternoon. I reconnected the battery and it started on the first try then died soon after. I took the flame arrestor off and it seems like fuel is dripping into the carb after it has shut off. Seems like quite a bit of fuel too. Any ideas on that?
 
You need to tear down the whole carb and clean it. Just because the low speed adjustor needle looks clear does not tell you if the low speed jet is clear.

The jet's are under the screw on covers on the side of the carb.

It may also have a filter screen on the needle and seat that can clog.
 
Location
CA
I swapped out the carb from my top-end needing 650 to the one I have been having trouble starting and with the other carb it'll start but won't idle and run rough.

You need to tear down the whole carb and clean it. Just because the low speed adjustor needle looks clear does not tell you if the low speed jet is clear.

The jet's are under the screw on covers on the side of the carb.

It may also have a filter screen on the needle and seat that can clog.

Instead of wasting the time and money on the stock 28 I was hoping to upgrade to a 38mm Keihin. If I tear down the 28, I should put new gaskets in there right? Or can I open it up blast carb cleaner all over the place, let it dry then put it back together?

Also, will this work on my 87 650sx?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-JETSKI-X2-SX-650-PORTED-INTAKE-KEIHIN-40MM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ56422QQihZ018QQitemZ280247697640QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
 
Location
CA
crap in the fuel selector switch? by pass it and see if it runs then, you do have fuel in the tank right?:thinkerg:

Oh heh, forgot to mention...fuel and oil tanks are to the top. Gonna go try bypassing switch right now.
:biggthumpup:
 
Location
CA
Bypassed the fuel selector switch as recommended, starts and even idles but as before it sounds really rough. Also after I kill the engine, I can see what seems to be A LOT of fuel dripping down the carb.

I want to take the carb apart and clean it up. I am also considering getting new fuel lines all around what dimensions do I need to get to optimum fuel flow?
 
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Location
CA
I have my 2 skis sitting on my trailer.

The exhaust from the one I am messing with is aimed right at the other ski. I just looked over there and there is black grease everywhere...am I doing something wrong?

Gonna get some pictures of what I am dealing with for ya....



 
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Location
CA
Took the carb apart...and sprayed carb cleaner all over the place. Put it all back together and twisted screws to about where they were when I removed them...

Put the ski back together and it started right up let it run for 10seconds or so...givin' it a little throttle and it doesn't seem to run as smooth as it did before. Looked down the carb and fuel wasn't pouring in after I cut the power.

My guess on all that grease is that it was caused by all the excess fuel that got in there when the carb was malfunctioning. Good guess?

Going to dinner..I expect to see some answers when I get back :smokin:
 
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