1996 sugar sand heat xrt won’t start

[Akrewmonte]

Hi, I just bought a 96 sugar sand heat jet boat 120hp. Previous owner had it running when I picked it up. Had him turn it off and restart it just to see, took two or three tries but it started right up. But very smokey. Took it out to the water today and it started for maybe 5 seconds, then it shut off. It has gas, we jumped the battery, but no luck. Does anyone have any insights as to what I should be doing?

 

[Stomp10]

@Akrewmonte I'd be sure to run a compression test on each cylinder.
If you can get it running on a hose on the trailer try to run some seafoam through it as its running. like an ounce or two mixed in with a 50-50 mix.
That might help to clear up some carb issues for a bit.
Change the fuel filter first.....
This should give you some answers hopefully.
Hopefully, you have made some progress since you first posted

 

[Akrewmonte]

Thank you for your reply! I greatly appreciate it. We ended up doing exactly that, and we think it may be the reed valve that needs replacement. We don’t know for certain how to change that, but we ordered the part. If you have any insight as to how to do that, I would love to hear it! Thank you again.

 

[Stomp10]

@Akrewmonte Good job!
Aftermarket composite reeds are a better choice than the stock stainless steel reeds IMO!

 

[Stomp10]

@Akrewmonte Also for a manual for your jet:

Boatinfo - Mercury Service Manual for 90-120hp SportJet

www.boatinfo.no

@Bilmon is way better than me at posting these links but I'm getting there....
If I were to guess I'd have to say he is probably on the water this weekend....

 

[Acripchuck]

Agree with the reed valves being suspect in slow starts! I finally got the courage to rip the carbs and get to the reed valves and was so happy I did. four of the stainless steel reeds were chewed up so it was obvious that it was sucking so much air that it messed with the fuel air mixture (besides slow start, it wouldn't run like it's supposed to). I got the Boyesen power reeds (dual reeds) and oh boy it started right ups and now it jumps to a plane right away in the water.