need help fixing my jet ski?

[Sean W]

i have a 1997 kawi 750 i took it out 5 times last season (5 weekends in a row) and the last time i took it out i could start it with the choke on but when i took the choke off it died. i dont know what is wrong with it

ps has new spark plugs

[sdyer0607]

it has to be the carbs on that thing, i used to have a few jetskis and i always had to adjust the cards, they were a pain in the ass

[Maverick]

Get it serviced

[jtexas]

do what havoc squad says, and don't run the motor until it's done. your motor is starving for fuel, which means its also starved for motor oil.

carb rebuild isn't that difficult, get yourself a service manual and go for it.

[Havoc Squad]

Excessive choke usage to keep the engine running after cold starting is very likely a lack of fuel getting to the engine. Spark plugs are not your problem, a gunked up carb is your problem due to not "winterizing" your PWC.

Unfortunately, this is extremely common to individuals who do not properly "winterize" their boat engines. Old unstablized gas sits for months, gunks up and varishes over the jets and other areas, clogging it up.

Choking a warmed up engine to get it to run will not work, so here is what I recommend.

#1. You are going to most likely need a carb rebuild, there is a small possibility it could be a fuel pump problem or fuel line obstruction. However, since I doubt you properly winterize your PWC each year, it is most likely a gunked up carb.


If you attempt to do the rebuild yourself, you need a reputable service manual for that model. Never try to directly clean a carb ** spraying carb cleaner in the air intake, its like running the engine without oil.

There is only one way to clean a gunked up 2 stroke carb, take it off, dissassemble, clean areas and parts of the carb that are safe to use carb cleaner, wipe clean, have it dry overnight, then reassemble.


#2. After you get this carb rebuilt and any other issues that might need fixed, get in the habit of stabilizing the fuel before you winterize the PWC. I would try to put the stabilizer in first and fill the tank full on the PWC so it mixes in well with the gas.

I believe 5 to 10 minutes of the engine at around 1500 RPM is sufficient time for the engine to use all the unstablized gas out of the carb and the fuel line. Running it for a sufficient time after adding stablizer to the gas ensures that all fuel in the carb will be stabilized and not gunk up.

[Woody 1]

You need to clean or have the carbs for sure your getting fuel because the engine will run with the choke on.

[Ecky Thump]

You're right, you do need help.