2003 Waverunner died and won't start

[Chaparral1830]

I got the Waverunner out after it being in storage through the winter. I had no problem getting it started in the driveway before going to the ramp.

It started fine at the ramp but while leaving the no-wake zone it kind of coughed a couple of times and then when I throttled it up outside the no-wake zone it just died completely and I had to get towed back to the ramp.

It would not start after that. It's a 2003 800 XLT.

I'm comfortable around engines but mostly 4-strokes and I have no experience with PWC's other that to ride them and have fun.

I should probably add that I had to jump the PWC to get it started but it started right up without hesitation until it died.

Please give me a path to begin checking and what to look for.

 

[The Penguin]

Re: 2003 Waverunner died and won't start

I am not familiar with that model - but some advice I've been given in the past is that it is generally unwise to jump a ski motor from a car battery...it can kill the CDI.

I don't know if it's true or not.

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: 2003 Waverunner died and won't start

Did you check the gas valve to be sure it was not on off? I had the same problem and never even noticed. Also the kill switch that could also cause a problem. Check the simple things first then go from there. After that I would would say it sounds like a fuel problem. No wierd noises aside from the hesitation once you past the no wake zone correct??