Kawasaki 650sx stopped starting

External Since: Jul 07, 2003 Posts: 6

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I recently got my hands on a 1989 650sx. My first time out it started just
fine but only got full power for about 15 seconds before it ran at about
10mph. It then would not start or idle without applying throttle. The next
day it started and idled fine dry. About a week later I took it out again.
This time it didn't go full speed at all, and didn't take long to completely
die. It then wasn't able to start at all in the water, or even dry the next
day. I noticed a minimal amount of rainbow colored liquid on the water
surface around the ski at times, don't know if this has anything to do with
it. This new jet ski owner would appreciate any help, thx.

External Since: Jun 26, 2003 Posts: 6

"ERIN SMITH" <carta151 RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote in
news:6GkXa.8010$W%3.569@nwrdny01.gnilink.net:

>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
> ----- ----
> I recently got my hands on a 1989 650sx. My first time out it started
> just
> fine but only got full power for about 15 seconds before it ran at
> about 10mph. It then would not start or idle without applying
> throttle. The next day it started and idled fine dry. About a week
> later I took it out again. This time it didn't go full speed at all,
> and didn't take long to completely die. It then wasn't able to start
> at all in the water, or even dry the next day. I noticed a minimal
> amount of rainbow colored liquid on the water surface around the ski
> at times, don't know if this has anything to do with it. This new jet
> ski owner would appreciate any help, thx.
>
>
>

do a compression check, both cylinders should be around 130-150psi (the
closer they are to each other the better).

if thats fine you can do a leak down test to see if the any of the seals
are blown. If it holds air for ~10 minutes it's good.

check for a bad ground line, loose cables.

might as well check for spark. take a plug out, hold it close to a
head bolt and you should see a arc. If not could be a bad coil/cdi
unit.

could be a gummed up carb, i'd take it out and clean it.