No Start

[motsis]

hello all;

I'm new to this forum and the Sugar Sand boats. So I had a small barn find boat that I took a chance on. Long story short I cannot get it to start. Here is what I have:

• Mercury sports jet 120 engine
• Good Compression on all cylinders
• New Spark plugs
• New Starter
• turn water on to begin flushing
• engine cranks strong but does not fire
• Does not take long, but eventually builds pressure to the point where starter cannot turn anymore.
• after taking plugs out, i find a water fuel mix in the lower cylinder

I heard that you really do not want a lot of water running, while flushing, but have no clue what that means? Would I be better to leave the water off and as soon as she kicks, get water flowing?

I have read with these sports jet engines water getting in that lower cylinder is normal? totally goes against my knowledge of other engines.

Anything I am doing wrong in my above procedure? Any Suggestions? If I can get it to run, i'm a hero with my kids, if I cannot, i'm a big ZERO...

 

[Marvin willis]

No water should be in the cylinder. You shouldn’t turn on the water to flush until the motor is running. You might have a blown head gasket. If any of my engines don’t run I spray starting fluid into the intake. If it cranks then you might not be getting fuel to the cylinders

 

[motsis]

Ok, cool! thanks for the fast reply! That is what I was thinking as well. Maybe tomorrow I'll first try not running the water until it fires. This little boat sat for 2 years from what I'm told so 1/2 of me is wondering what things are sticking internally etc...

 

[Marvin willis]

Check your oil. I’m guessing it’s gonna be milky from the water. Change ASAP

 

[Port0222]

Assuming the sugar sands also have a lanyard, similar to jet skis and Yamaha jet boats. Might be worth ensure that is not disconnected. In the FAQ section, I think there is a section about things to check if your boat won’t start. On Yamaha’s, you have to be in neutral.

Also, I know it was addressed above, but no need to run the water until the motor is running. Water in the cylinder is not good.

 

[spatty99]

I had a Sugar Sand with 240 EFI a while ago, but I'm still pretty sure the protocol was water on, engine on, engine off, water off (opposite Yamaha). So I wouldn't think flushing water is a culprit, this isn't the same design as the Yamaha's that can back flow flushing water into the cylinders.

 

[Marvin willis]

If that’s true he won’t be going out on the boat anytime soon

 

[Bill Eager]

Ok have owned sugar sand since new with 120 sport jet, with flushed unit installed to of head, water on engine off then start, if you have water cyl 4 , figure Head gasget is shot, do not use starter fluid, make a fuel oil mix in a spray bottle or just cup your hand over the carburetors to choke them till your hand gets wet only take a second

 

[Derricknospark]

I’m knew on here,not sure I’m doing this properly or not but I have a 95 sugar sand super sport with 120 mercury engine .got cheap been sitting for bout 10 years was soppose to of been running great last time it was used,I know I will have to go through carbs ,I bypassed kill switch ,motor turns over fine but have no spark all fuses are good wondering where I should start checking next

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

always try the search function here are some posts regarding the issues with the ignition on those
https://jetboaters.net/threads/sportjet-120-ignition.12682/#post-220655

https://jetboaters.net/threads/sport-jet-force-mosfet-rectifier-regulator.16219/#post-278656

https://jetboaters.net/threads/93-jazz-sport-jet.11569/#post-199531

https://jetboaters.net/threads/90-hp-sportjet-wont-rev-past-4200-rpms-need-help.9621/#post-166108