I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski:(

[MercedesC320]

Hi folks- I just bought a 1996 Kawasaki sts 750. It runs great once it is running but, I have to shoot starter fluid in the carb intake in order to get it running. What could this be? People keep telling me that is is not a big deal but, lordy that just does not seem right to me. I checked the Choke and it seems to be working the way it is suppose to. I am 46 years old and have no clue how to fix this. Is this a common issue? thanks for your help! you can email me at kathleen1_@msn.com if you have any ideas for me. Much appreciated from this grandma.

 

[MercedesC320]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

I forgot to ask I also need the back curved bumper part on the left side if you are behind the ski. I found the part but, they want like 90 bucks for a little piece of pvc! Is there somewhere cheaper to look? Thank you

 

[Fever]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

Do a compression test first...

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

try to give the carbs a little more on the low speed fuel adjustments/ add1/4 turn out ,if that won't help you probably need to go through the carbs and rebuild them,,also be sure the filter is clean and the fuel lines have good tight conections all the way back to the fuel tank, the fuelpump may be having trouble priming the lines after it sits due to air sneaking back in the lines.
as for the part// try parts@jetkingparts.com for a used one.
also try trimming back your plug wires a 1/4 inch , remove the plug boots snip off a little of the wire and re install the boots, those wires get corroded after a few years and cause resistance

 

[MikDee]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

Sounds like you're new to this all, starting fluid can hurt your motor by washing away the fuel/oil lubrication mix. Try to avoid using it. All 2 cycle motors usually need to be choked on the 1st start of the day until they kick, (or attempt to start), then choke off, and it should start right up. Then usually no choke is needed for the rest of the day when starting.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

when using start fluid read the can some have top cylinder oil added to them and that is what you need to use. if you use it.

 

[Rob454]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

When you try to start it next time try to start it then stop. Pull one of the plugs off and see if its all wet with fuel. you may have a leaking needle and seat and youre aactually flooding the motor. sounds liek you have a leak thats allowing the fuel pressure to leak off. Check the check valve on the gas tank. its a one way valve
Rob

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

If you have to resort to starting fluid to start a two-stroke engine obviously the choke is not working. The engine may have a primer solenoid rather than a choke. With a primer system you hold the key in while cranking. Extra fuel will be injected into the intake. If the primer solenoid is not working -- you have no cold start.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

jet skis don't have those, some people use manual primer kits, his has chokes, most older skies need the carbs rebuilt because the diaphragms get old and non responsive or a hole in them or stuck to the covers .

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

my brother in law has a 95 and 97 sts kawasaki. We had the same problem last week. The ski was running fine then it just wouldn't start. Brought it home and put some gas in the carb and it started right up. He installed a manual primer bulb, kind of like what is commonly found on small engines like weed eaters and lawnmowers and hedgetrimmers. He hasn't had the problem since. He bought it from a place that sells jetskis.

That may or may not be your problem. Here is the thread where we asked the question.

 

[Robert A.]

Re: I am having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

I forgot to ask I also need the back curved bumper part on the left side if you are behind the ski. I found the part but, they want like 90 bucks for a little piece of pvc! Is there somewhere cheaper to look? Thank you

WARNING!!! DO NOT USE STARTER FLUID. Your pistons will not get lubrication and will fry. This happened to mine. Had to replace them and case. Use a mixture of gasoline and 2-cycle oil like for weedeaters. But add a little extra oil to be on the safe side.

 

[robster]

Having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

Having to use Starter Fluid to start my Jetski

We have a 2000 Kawasaki 900stx ski and had a similar problem when starting it the first time, in any day. We would pull the choke knob out all the way and then give it gas and press the start button, but it would just crank and sound like it wasn't getting fuel (yes the fuel switch was set to ON). We did the starter fluid thing and it kinda worked, but didn't seem right...

Just by a fluke, I noticed that when I pulled out the choke knob, it would go back in about a 1/4" by itself when I would let go of it, to start the ski. So I got creative and used my toes to hold the choke knob out ALL THE WAY, while I cranked up the ski as usual. Well, to my surprise, the ski almost started first shot; I would crank it a couple of more times and let go of the choke knob and it would crank up and run (the knob would be about 1/2 way out). Once the engine warmed up for a few seconds, I would have to push in the choke knob all the way.

This is a very simple test for you, just to see if you have the same problem we had. Ours ended up being a choke cable adjustment... good luck!