Skirunner2486

Hey Guys,

I've got a problem I'm sure some of you have encountered before. I just bought a 91 (with reed motor) kawi 550sx. It's got a factory pipe, waterbox, impeller, ride plate, intake grate, and some other misc aftermarket stuff. The guy I bought it from claimed it ran great all last summer. Unfortunately it hasn't for me.

When I first fired it up, it ran great and I ran it around for about 10 min on the lake. Then it started to bog and then it would randomly get a power surge and then bog down again. This went on for most of the day. It finally died and I was unable to restart it. I got it back and noticed there was water on the plugs. I also found that the primer was ingesting water at the finger pump. (maybe have caused some of the symptoms?) I replaced that and it still wouldn't start. It rumbled off starting fluid so I knew it was fuel related. I checked the pressure in the lines and it seemed to be fine. In the process of checking the lines, (blowing into the return line) I noticed that there was WATER in the gas lines. I continued to blow into the return line until I had straight fuel again. Hooked it back up and she fired over and ran great. I dumped it in the lake. Idled fine, then bogged and died. Got it back to the house and I re-primed the fuel lines by blowing into the return line and it ran great again for about 3 minutes and then died. Somewhere, somehow, its not getting fuel. I can hear the motor lean out right before it dies. I also hooked a line up straight from the tank to the carb and I still had the same problem. I've got a carb rebuild kit on the way. (Keihin CDK II) Fuel pump diaphragm?? Issues with the tank??

Also, any tips on rebuilding the carb? Specific issues to look for?

I would really like to get this issue resolved before the weekend. Hopefully some of you guys can help me out. Thanks!

-Trent

p10sdad

Be careful with the spring in the carb, don't stretch it. I'd get a new spring when you rebuild the carb. If there is water in the lines, I'd pull the tank and blow all your lines till they are dry, then check your gas cap to make sure it is not leaking. Use a pressure washer back 2-3 feet away. You get a lot of pressure on that cap at the lake, so you may just be leaking from there

Skirunner2486

Anybody else? I checked the cap and its air tight. The pulse line is also strong.

Anything???

rwilliamtaylor

I've had a similar issue to you. We gased it up on the beach and then took off without putting the gas cap back on and got water in the tank. The only thing to do is drain the tank and lines or put some gas line antifreeze (if you live in a cold climate you can find the stuff) in the tank. I also had the part where is runs great and then dies and it was unrelated to the water problem. That was the pop-off valve (or needle valve and seat). If the ski sits for a while the inside of the carb can get deposits from the evaporated 2 cycle fuel. The pop off valve sticks and it stops. When it happened to me my ski lost power and then ran like only one cylinder was firing, then wouldn't start. I tapped on the side of the carb with a wrench a couple of times and it started and ran fine for another half hour then stopped again. Solution here is a thorough carb cleaning.

Good Lick.

Skirunner2486

Ya, I'm thinking there has got to be water in the tank as well. I pulled the plugs this am and took a look...the pic speaks for itself. I also rebuilt the carb last night and it definitely had some debris floating around in it. Take a look at the plug pic and let me know what you think.

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Kawi_Rider_316

rwilliamtaylor - could you please take a look at my thread as well. Im having a SIMILAR problem with my 550. I dont have the same carburator though. Sounding like maybe the pop of valve on mine may be sticking? I dont even know what the pop off valve is, where to hit the carb to see if that is the problem, or if I cleaned it when I cleaned the carb. If you could please read my thread and give me your .02 that would be greatly appreciated.

Skirunner2486

Good call taylor...LOTS of water in the gas. Shouldn't of over looked it! Runs great!