tigersharks99

I just bought a 1999 tigershark 1100r and a 1999 tigershark 1100L. Took em to the lake this weekend and had trouble with the 1100r. It ran great for about a half hour and was getting up over 60mph (assuming the speedometer is accurate). After about a half hour I start to lose power; I would hold the throttle but only moved a few mph. After a few seconds of this it would stall. I started it back up and it never regained power. After a few stalls I noticed smoke coming out from inside the engine compartment. I was in the middle of the lake so couldn't really check anything out and I was afraid of damaging the engine, so I just had it towed in by my 1100L. After pulling the trailer out the 1100L drained about 2 cups of water out of the drain plug, and the 1100r drained several gallons. It drained for a good 10 minutes. I don't know if sitting in the water for 40 minutes without the engine running (and thus the bilge pump) caused the water to collect, or if water collection caused the stalling issue. The 1100r started up on the trailer, sounded loud as hell, and had a white smoke when ran for 5-10 seconds.

Any ideas as to what the issue is? I'm a total noob to jet ski repair.

As a side note I am totally disgusted with michgan boaters. I forgot a tow rope, so I sent my gf back to the truck on the 1100L to get a strap to tow me in. We were about 10 minutes away from the truck, so we tried to flag someone down for about 5 minutes to tow me in or lend a rope . No one would help. One said they needed a rope and would be right back to help, but they never came back. After about 5 minutes we decided to send her back to get one instead of relying on the kindness of michigan boaters. It took her about 15-20 minutes to go back and get the tow strap, and not a single boater offered me a tow back, and there were hundreds out there. If I had not been out there without a second ski I would have been royally screwed. I was on cass lake in waterford, michigan.

pdowdle

Hi There, I am no expert but by the sounds of things the engine is already damaged, it sounds like the engine has either taken in water and run in through a Cylinder or 2 or 3, or the lubrication system has failed, but which ever one is was, the white smoke and loss of power is definitely Fuel and oil burning well past the pistons, I would remove the head on all three Cylinders and inspect that first.

On Another note, here in New Zealand it is completely the opposite, whenever a ski or boat break down, 99% of people are more than willing to help, even if it means they are going to be traveling back very Slowly.

Good Luck with that motor

tigersharks99

The guy I bought from claims everything was working good.

I called bright power sports in lincoln park, mi based on a referal, and based on there website that claim "We Service ALL Makes and Models! " only to be told they don't work on tigersharks because they don't have access to parts. He was really no help. I know the company went out of business, but I cannot believe parts are not available. I see tons of tigersharks out on the water, and plenty being bought and sold all over the place. No way every tigershark out there is still running and has not needed works/parts in the last 12 years.

The guy at bright power sports said it sounds like a hose came loose and is allowing water in, but said he can't do anything without the parts. I don't really understand what he wanted me to do though. I can't buy parts because I don't even know what the problem is. I also don't know where to get the parts.

Anyone have any advice on where I can take these skis in southeast michigan? I am just north of detroit.

pdowdle

Unfortunately Tigersharks are ONLY really for people who are willing to work on them themselves. I have found most parts I needed on ebay without a problem, and the rest can easily be sourced from various places. What you can do is go back to them and ask them if they can they do the work and you will source the parts. Look on ebay and google "Arctic cat Tigershark parts", lots of people selling stuff.
Hope you come right and get somebody to assist

tigersharks99

Took it to a power sports dealer. They said exhaust manifold is loose and leaking exhaust/water into hull. White smoke I saw was steam. Compression test was 150-145-115. They want $250 to tear apart motor in order to give me estimate for fix. Actual fix will run anywhere from $600-$2500 depending on whats wrong.

At this point I feel like it's better to throw this ski in the garbage and buy a new one for those prices.

pdowdle

Looks like the water has started to damage the 1 cylinder, I still think it would be worth getting just the one Cylinder removed and checked to see if the crank is damaged, if it is, get another ski, if it is not, it will still be cheaper fixing than replacing. Have a good contact for TS Spares in Minneapolis, and could probably get a Cylinder Jug redone and piston kit for a reasonable price. Let me know if you would like that contact

tigersharks99

I found a guy that does pwc repair for a marina on craigslist. He said parts are more difficult to come by and more expensive, but you can get them for the ts. He said those prices quoted to me are ridiculous, which is kind of what I thought. How could it cost more to rebuild an engine than the entire ski in good working order is even worth? Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to find another ski and just swap motors? Or just simply find another ski for under $3,000?

He said $20 for a mobile visit, and $80 to tear apart engine. He said it probably just needs new gaskets and seals and that will be relatively cheap. If the piston is damaged it will be more $ but can still be done. Worst case would be a brand new motor which he could install for $1,000. Maybe he will change his tune once he sees exactly what he is dealing with and can't find the correct parts to do a rebuild it, but I hope he knows what he is talking about.

EDIT: He is coming tomorrow (9-16-11) to work on it. If he can't get the parts he needs I will get that contact info from you. Thanks.

pdowdle

That is really good news, the compression in one cylinder is very low just for seals, but you never know, just get him to take the head off and you will quickly see what you are in for. Good to hear you got more reasonable prices $80 to pull motor apart is a steal. Good luck and let me know how it went, cheers

tigersharks99

He spent about 2 hours pulling the motor apart. There was water inside, but he thinks that it leaked in from the exhaust manifold (that was missing bolts). He seems very confident that was the problem. Everything looks pretty good inside. I need to replace 1 piston that has a little scoring on it, and the rings on the other 2 pistons. Also have to drain the crank case.

Total labor is going to be $300. We are still trying to locate parts. He is going to call the places he deals with tomorrow and try to locate them, he seems to think he won't have much problem locating them. They will cost a bit more than readily available models though.

pdowdle, can you please pm me the contact info for your guy? If my mechanic can't locate the parts I would like to be able to contact your guy.

It's getting so cold here I might have to buy a wetsuit to take these out again this season! I am determined to get at least one good ride before I store these babies all winter, I don't care how chili it's gonna be on that lake.

pdowdle

Sorry for the late reply only saw the message now, do a google search for Countrycat jetski and contact Keith, he is very helpful and got just about all my part from him. He is also trying to get rid of parts so some are very cheap, $29 for a new wear ring

You are very lucky with that price and even luckier you did not leave it as eventually the crank starts to rust

Good luck and let me know how you get on, alway good to hear the success stories
Cheers