AR210 won't start - Help!!

[JAlexMN]

I bought a 2008 AR210 just two weeks ago. I'm still learning about jet boats however I've had propped boats for years. I'm comfortable on the water but jet boats are a different animal aren't they?

My first major mistake, it appears, is that I sucked a tow rope up last weekend. The boat floated close to the rope as we were wakeboarding and I thought I could drive out of it like you can with a propped boat. I was wrong. Big time. We made it back to the landing with the other engine just fine, I got under it and cut it out. Great, all done, right? Wrong.

I got it out on the lake the other day and that engine won't fire. It turns over, feels like it wants to start but just doesn't come to life. My son thinks it sounds like there's something stuck in there. I've felt around in there and can't find anything. I plan to take the jet off today, I've seen videos on YouTube about this, and hopefully I can find something stuck. I also bought new spark plugs thinking I may have fouled a plug or something. I don't recall if the engine died when the rope got sucked in or if I shut it down. Everything happened so fast!!

Anyone have any ideas? Am I a fool trying to take the jet off? I have an appointment at a dealership next week but this changes pretty much all of our holiday plans if our new toy is stuck on the trailer.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Scottintexas]

If the starter is spinning its probably your safety lanyard, try working it a few times

 

[Scottintexas]

How fast did you drive on one engine? It's possible you could have pushed water thru the exhaust back into the engine, check your. Oil for correct color and pull spark plugs to see if they're wet and then try to crank without plugs to See if water spurts out plug hole

 

[Scottintexas]

In the faq section is a video "how the cooling water flows" it's very good info

 

[JAlexMN]

If the starter is spinning its probably your safety lanyard, try working it a few times

The other engine runs so I didn't think it would be the lanyard. I'll fiddle with it though.

 

[JAlexMN]

How fast did you drive on one engine? It's possible you could have pushed water thru the exhaust back into the engine, check your. Oil for correct color and pull spark plugs to see if they're wet and then try to crank without plugs to See if water spurts out plug hole

At one point I may have gone too fast. I slowed down and just nursed it back to the landing. I'll definitely check into this!!

 

[sunbyrned]

You’re not a fool for considering removing the jets. It’s an easy process and you learn a lot about your boat. It gives you a chance to examine things better. You might very well find some debris in there binding things up.

 

[Woodsy]

How fast did you drive on one engine? It's possible you could have pushed water thru the exhaust back into the engine, check your. Oil for correct color and pull spark plugs to see if they're wet and then try to crank without plugs to See if water spurts out plug hole

Just yesterday I watched a youtube video of someone installing isolation valves on each engines water coolant in lines - for the vary reason you describe. This allowing you to isolate the down engine and drive normally back to home base, or isolating both if being towed. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Beachbummer]

Lanyard has 2 separate circuits one for each engine. It is the normal failure that only one engine is affected.

Disconnect it to rule out (it find it starts once you unplug it)

 

[Floridaman79]

If your son thinks he hears something it might be worth taking the pump off to check everything out. I haven't had to do it yet but it sounds like a straightforward proposition.

 

[Scottintexas]

Just yesterday I watched a youtube video of someone installing isolation valves on each engines water coolant in lines - for the vary reason you describe. This allowing you to isolate the down engine and drive normally back to home base, or isolating both if being towed. What are your thoughts on this?

You should either install valves or have hose clamps, many write ups in the faq

 

[JAlexMN]

UPDATE: It's alive!!

I took the lanyard off and put it back on, replaced the spark plugs and changed the oil. There was indeed water in the oil. Got it started in the driveway with the hose and it ran smoothly. We took it out to the local lake for a quick test run and it was flawless! The weekend plans are back on!!

We plan to change the oil again next week just to make sure we got all the water out.

Thanks for all your help guys!! I was fearing the worst but got lucky this time! I'll be doing a lot more research on this forum!!

 

[Scottintexas]

If your oil is "chocolate milkshake" you need to change it

 

[Floridaman79]

I just happen to have these brake line clamps in the toolbox. I think they will be stored on the boat just in case!