Super Jet SJ wont start. Smells of fuel.

[IWannaYama]

Got no reply in superjet section. I was at the sebastian inlet this past weekend and the ski ran fine until it was time to leave. It bogged down and died, so I figured I needed to switch it to reserve. I was in the water when this happened and it took a good minute to get it running again. It would idle momentarily then die off when i blipped the throttle. I had to do this progressively and eventually it cleared up and got me to the boat ramp. When i was flushing it on the trailer, after a few minutes of running, it died. I would be able to get it to start up again but it would die again after a few seconds of idling or if I touched the throttle. I still cant get it to idle for more than a second now. I left it in the garage and now the entire garage reeks of gas although I see no visible leak. I changed the plugs and nothing helped. I have slim to no mechanical skills for diagnosing these issues, but I'm willing to try if I can be pointed in the right direction. I did just order a new fuel filter and figured it was a decent start.
Thanks

 

[swapmeet]

Have you switched it back to main fuel supply?

Its possible that you had dirt, old gas, other debris in the fuel line for the reserve (depending on how often you use it).

There is a filter inside the carb that could be clogged with that debris, potentially. That would require you to remove the carb and open it up and check the filter and inspect the carb for worn parts etc.

Concerning the smell of gas, I would closely inspect all your fuel lines for cracks and good connections.
Last thing to check is the check valve on your tank.
It should look like this.

You'll want to remove it, blow on one side and it should barely pass air, blow on the other and it shouldn't pass any at all.

Not super likely its the check valve if your issue seems to be a result of using the reserve switch, but its good to check.

 

[clouse22]

I'm no pro but it sounds like the needle is stuck open in the carb/carbs...happened to me before and fuel would pour heavy in the carbs

Pull your flame arrestor so you can see into the carb/carbs...try to start and see if an excess amount of fuel is dumping into them

 

[SXIPro]

I'm no pro but it sounds like the needle is stuck open in the carb/carbs...happened to me before and fuel would pour heavy in the carbs

Pull your flame arrestor so you can see into the carb/carbs...try to start and see if an excess amount of fuel is dumping into them

I agree with this hypothesis.

 

[IWannaYama]

Will try and report back. Thanks gents
Check valve is ok as well.

 

[Vumad]

Nevermind, i reread and you changed the plugw already.

 

[IWannaYama]

Well I got it to run again. I'd like to say it took a lot of investigatory work and major tweeking, but the truth is, I just checked the check valve, charged the battery overnight, made sure the fuel selector was on ON, and cranked the engine over for about 2 minutes. Fired up and revs up fine now. Something must have clogged the line temporarily when I switched it to reserve the last time I rode. Thankfully an easy free fix

 

[Vumad]

Glad ypu fixed it. Once my ski was running away, coudlnt figure out why, asked for help, someone asked if i check for damage to my cable, sure enough kt was broken. Durr. We all miss some simple things sometimes, and all it takes is another perspective or a second look.