300/440/550 New ski. General questions.

[Nowake]

My friend just got this ski and its not quite running right. It is a 85 js550 i believe. It takes four seconds on the starter button and just a bit of throttle to start it. Even after warmed up. When riding it you cant go WOT right away. You have to go half throttle and feather the gas then once your going you can open it up. If you give it full throttle it bogs down and dies. The steering seems real sluggish. Not like my 750sx. There is one bolt that was just laying in the bottom of the hull and another on its way out. It has a factory exhaust system and besides that I don't know of any other mods. Mariner intake grate, don't know if thats stock. The Prop has string wrapped up in it but has the "something TRAK" and that number 5 written on it. Don't know if thats stock. It had a bilge pump but has been removed. Other that that I don't know much about it and am trying to learn. I was going to try and start doing some tests on it and learning about how to do all of them. I don't know what all has been done to it. I know sight unseen its tough to say but if you all could look at these pictures and tell me what you think or see. It'll be a big help. Also what would you guys think its worth? It runs, drives, and floats.

 

[Nowake]

Here are some more. Thanks

 

[screaming440]

check the popoff pressure the neadle and seat are probably leaking

 

[Nowake]

check the popoff pressure the neadle and seat are probably leaking

Not to sure how to but I can do a search. The side of the motor does look to have fuel and oil all over it. Its wet like something has been leaking. If so whats the fix? And is this carb worth fixing, or replacing. What would be a good combo with the exhaust? Thanks by the way.

 

[screaming440]

not always a 100% tell but look down the carb with it running. if there is fuel dribbling into the carb bore you have a carb problem.

what has fuel and oil all over it?

 

[Jaberwocky]

If it has been sitting for a while it would probably be a good idea to rebuild the carb, the rebuild kits are fairly cheap. An aftermarket flame arrestor would help out some with the aftermarket exhaust. The prop is a Skat Track prop, mariner inatke grate is aftermarket, and it looks to have a quicksteer plate on it already. That jet dynamics ride plate is fairly hard to find, probably worth $100 easy just for that plate. With a little TLC that would be a pretty decent ski.

 

[eak_photography]

that's normal for a 550 IMO, you can try opening the low screw a bit for the acceleration issue, but in the end I'd recommend a squarebody carb swap

 

[Nowake]

what has fuel and oil all over it?

The side of the motor under the intake.

 

[Jetpilot106]

The side of the motor under the intake.

That bolt looks like it came out of the stator cover or the starter.you also could have a leaking intake gasket witch could create a vacuum leak and make it run like poo poo pooo.550s do have somewhat of a small studder sometimes,try the low jet thing.also check the fuel lines,tank for cracks it looks like its been sitting on that pipe so who knows, clogged fuel filter,maybe get rid of the on/res system and just run aa direct line.if you cant find anything their go ahead and rebuild the carb.this is just some things i find on these skis that i get out of barns and stuff.