Sportster No Start Mystery

[Sailorboy58]

This week I bought a 2003 Seadoo Sportster "project" boat. Meaning it had issues with cables. I replaced the throttle and shifter cables after a little bit of searching and some creative fabrication. Cables are good now. However, the boat cranks fine but won't start, or even "pop". I checked for spark. Has spark. New plugs. Fresh gas. Being new to Seadoo Jet boats I'm wondering if I'm missing something in the start-up process perhaps? Are there obvious things I should be checking or looking for? Any suggestions appreciated! Other footnotes. Previous owner installed new short block, new starter and bendex gear.

 

[Julian]

There is an engine wont start diagnostic thread in the FAQ.....look that one up...has lots of good info.

I assume the lanyard is installed (typically they block the spark)?

 

[Sailorboy58]

Hi Julian.

Yes lanyard is installed. I have spark. Plugs come out wet and slightly oily after cranking. However, I've discovered that using the deck hose fitting to run cooling water prior to engine start up may cause water to backflow into the manifold and engine. So I've removed plugs, disconnected fuel and oil so I can give it a good cranking to ventilate and hopefully dry it out. We'll see how that goes.

 

[Gym]

You don't need cooling water to start an engine and run it for 15 to 20 seconds. Make sure you have no water in your oil.

With regard to starting...You basically need three things. Fuel. Spark & Air. You mentioned you had spark. You said the plugs were wet. I hope that means wet with fuel and not water. If the plugs are getting fuel make sure you're getting air. Remove the air filter, if equipped, make sure the butterfly is closed during start on a cold engine. If still no start and as much as I hate to use it you may want to squirt a tiny bit of quick start into the air induction system while cranking. If the engine caughs with the quick start it proves you have a functioning engine but something else is at fault.