1989 650sx problems! - PWC Forum: The best hang-out for Personal WaterCraft enthusiasts

josh650sx · 09-29-2011, 03:23 PM

hi, new to the site and new to jet skis so I don't know a whole lot as of now.

I recently bought a 1989 Kawasaki 650sx. A few weeks back I rode it around and it ran perfectly with no problems; this last weekend as soon as I got it off the trailer I realized something was wrong. I had changed absolutely nothing in the few weeks that it sat around. At full throttle the jet ski would go about 5 miles an hour and would just eventually sputter our and die without giving it full throttle. I have heard that it could be an exhaust leak, bad ground wire, needs a new crankshaft, or it needs a new starter. Anyone have any ideas or input?

Wetracer · 12-02-2011, 06:49 PM

Take the hood off and fire it up. It is probably an exhaust leak. You will see it. Mike

josh650sx · 12-03-2011, 01:02 AM

I decided to pull the engine to take it apart and found that it was pretty much worse case scenario. 1 of the pistons seized up and the rod came off it and it was spinning around on the crank still. That rod was smacking around in there so hard that it made my engine look like swiss cheese lol. It punched holes and cracks all over it. I ended up buying another complete non running jetski for cheaper than I could get a rebuildable engine so I guess i'll have to start there. Any recommendations of pistons? I want a good set that wont hurt the bank account too much. hopefully get going on that this week

Wetracer · 12-03-2011, 11:02 AM

Sure, I can get you a WSM topend kit for $195 plus shipping. If you want to send me your cylinder I can get it bored for $90 and then ship the whole thing back to you ready to install. Mike

josh650sx · 12-03-2011, 11:54 AM

Jet Ski Parts.Biz: WSM Jet Ski piston kit Kawasaki 650sx, X2, SC, TS 76.25mm

Are those ^ the pistons you are talking about? Will these give me significantly more power?

What are the best mods to do to the ski if I want it to really pop out of the water real fast?

Im new to jet skis, my hobby use to be dirtbikes but I just switched over. On dirtbikes you can get what is called a "quickshot" which basically just shoves gas through the engine faster resulting in more power. Those always made a huge difference on any bike you put them on; are there any parts like that for jet ski's?