Hey I'm really glad I happened to stumble on this video! I also have a 1990 that's nearly identical I bought 17 years ago with the intent of getting running but after opening the hood, I quickly realized was way different than anything I'd worked on before! The stickers expired in 1997 so, it's never had ethanol poisoning. Lots of time working on motorcycles (mostly dirt bikes) so didn't think a jet ski would be too different. Yeah, right! 😄
Jimmy. You actually have a 1990 550sx. This is the first model year of the SX and has concealed bearings, floating style drive shaft, and a parabolic shaped hull for better handling. This is the only year of the SX that features a PISTON PORT motor.
Thx a bunch . Very interesting. I rode JetSki 650s and 750s back in the 90s and I parked my 1986, 550 and haven’t had it in the water in 23 years. Got busy with kids and life and business and all. Recently, I came across a really nice 1986, 550 in Colorado and I bought it. I am now in Florida and want to take it for a ride. I’ve taken my dirt bikes from Florida to Colorado and back and always lean out the jetting for Colorado elevation . I am imagining I need to richen up the JDJetting for this 550 since I went from elevation to sea level in South Florida. I’ve been trying to read up and get informed on carburetor tuning. This JetSki, I have has a nice motor package in it that I was told was put together by harry klemm in Arizona but when I spoke to him, he said he never used a key him CDK to carburetor on any of his engine builds and that is the carburetor on this particular 550 . Anyway, sorry to be long-winded, but as I watched your video on carburetion, you mentioned that that Keihin carburetor was a high dollar high-performance carburetor sold by Sudco back in the day. Any advice you have on what I should do when I take this thing to the water for the first time or before I take it to the water would be appreciated. I’m pretty sure I need to pull the carburetor and check to see what size the main jet and pilot are for a reference. thanks again and I appreciate all the knowledge you put forward. JT
Yes, jetting will need to be looked at for sure. The keihin came stock on the 91-95 550's so if you make sure to jet to stock specs, it will be a good start. I do not recall. Quick google search will provide. :-)
I started with a cherry ‘85 JS550 for $700 from the original owner. Bought it in 2001 at the age of 13. Was a good ski and provided many memories. Nice to see them still being enjoyed and repaired/serviced for more years. Also, what’s the scoop on that ‘89-‘95 Toyota pickup on the lift? I drive a ‘94 XtraCab 4x4 (22RE, 5 speed manual, DLX) and I’ve got those same red/clear tail light lenses. Also got an ‘88 4x4 and an ‘87 4Runner.
Best one I have ever used. The company name changes a lot, This is the current one... www.amazon.com/Calterm-66331-Tru-Spark-Adjustable-Sensitivity/dp/B000JFHMPC
Hi there, I just finished a restoration on my 88’ 550 and I cannot get it to run without backfiring for the life of me. I’ve switched plugs, stators, magnetos, ebox. All From a known good running ski. I also Checked if crank is twisted and everything checks out. Do you have any other recommendations I am stumped.
Sorry I forgot to include that, I did swap out the flywheel with the same 21 flywheel really strong magnets and they don’t move very good condition. I have gotten recommendations to change my carb to a sbn 44 because the stock bn round body’s tend to cause issues
Carburetor side rear cylinder, look down between the carb and engine block where the reed cage is, there is a flat spot down there and you will see the numbers. AS for the model, you need to call your local Kawasaki dealer and give them the Vin number, (they call it a "HIN"), and they can tell you the model based on that.
Best one I have ever used. The brand name changes a lot, This is the current one... www.amazon.com/Calterm-66331-Tru-Spark-Adjustable-Sensitivity/dp/B000JFHMPC
Good video Jim!! Hope to see you on Wednesday ride 🤘
Absolutely!
Wow, I never knew that! Thx Jimmy!
Great video. Great knowledge! Looking forward for part 2
Thanks for watching
Nice!
That's a nice comment. 🤣🤣🤣
I went to Pro Watercraft Racing to get a pump stuffer and they have your video on each stuffer page. Awesome!
Dang! You do more than a CDL Pre trip inspection! 😂
of course!
Great content very informative 👍
Thank you for watching
Wow ~ great find!
Thanks for watching!
Great video Jimmy, not a Jet Ski guy, but I can learn.
Buy one. You won't regret it. Its a blast!
Cool project. Thanks for taking us along for the ride! 💪👍🏼
Thanks for watching!
🏁🏁🏁
Good stufg
Thanks!
I can't get enough of this stuff
Good to See You Jimmy, Living the Good Life. I’ll catch you on the next one, Keep it Safe Out There Sir
Jimmy explains everything so well 👌🏼
Excellent clip
😁👌🏼👌🏼
Hey I'm really glad I happened to stumble on this video! I also have a 1990 that's nearly identical I bought 17 years ago with the intent of getting running but after opening the hood, I quickly realized was way different than anything I'd worked on before! The stickers expired in 1997 so, it's never had ethanol poisoning. Lots of time working on motorcycles (mostly dirt bikes) so didn't think a jet ski would be too different. Yeah, right! 😄
You give me the inspiration to work on my 440. Who knows, maybe I'll run into you at Body Beach.
That's awesome! You can do it!
Thanks for the tip about the compresion tester valve that i did not know .
The Netherlands 🤙
Tell your wife to dust that ski!! 🤣🤣🤣
😮😮😮
🤣🤣🤣
Another great video I needed a year ago before fixing up my js550 - thanks.
Very informative video thank you!
Awesome video you have a wealth of knowledge now I know why they call you jet ski jimmy 🇺🇸👍🔥🔥👍🇺🇸
Great video, thank Jim.
Love your videos thxs so much for the info
Extremely helpful great videos!
Thank you for the feedback. :-)
Jim, I just snagged a 440 that appears to have raced in the 86 world finals. It's a mess, but hope to get it together at some point.
Right on bro
Also, I like the spark tester tool, what brand is it or do you have a link to it? Thanks.
Thanks for watching. Here is a link to the spark tester: www.amazon.com/Calterm-66331-Tru-Spark-Adjustable-Sensitivity/dp/B000JFHMPC
sorry, some of the talk text didn’t come through properly. It was supposed to say Keihin CDK 2 carburetor.
Jimmy. You actually have a 1990 550sx. This is the first model year of the SX and has concealed bearings, floating style drive shaft, and a parabolic shaped hull for better handling. This is the only year of the SX that features a PISTON PORT motor.
Thank you for clearing that up, for some reason I was thinking the reed motor designated it an SX. Makes more sense it was the hull change.
@@jetskijim007 Is the compression spec still 130+ on the piston port engine?
I've got 90 and have trouble starting on my 89.
Hey Jimmy great video was wanting to know what spark checker are you using? Would definitely like to get one vs the inline ones?
Hey Jimmy great video was wanting to know what spark checker are you using
Thx a bunch . Very interesting.
I rode JetSki 650s and 750s back in the 90s and I parked my 1986, 550 and haven’t had it in the water in 23 years. Got busy with kids and life and business and all.
Recently, I came across a really nice 1986, 550 in Colorado and I bought it. I am now in Florida and want to take it for a ride.
I’ve taken my dirt bikes from Florida to Colorado and back and always lean out the jetting
for Colorado elevation .
I am imagining I need to richen up the JDJetting for this 550 since I went from elevation to sea level in South Florida. I’ve been trying to read up and get informed on carburetor tuning.
This JetSki, I have has a nice motor package in it that I was told was put together by harry klemm in Arizona but when I spoke to him, he said he never used a key him CDK to carburetor on any of his engine builds and that is the carburetor on this particular 550 .
Anyway, sorry to be long-winded, but as I watched your video on carburetion, you mentioned that that Keihin carburetor was a high dollar high-performance carburetor sold by Sudco back in the day.
Any advice you have on what I should do when I take this thing to the water for the first time or before I take it to the water would be appreciated.
I’m pretty sure I need to pull the carburetor and check to see what size the main jet and pilot are for a reference.
thanks again and I appreciate all the knowledge you put forward. JT
Yes, jetting will need to be looked at for sure. The keihin came stock on the 91-95 550's so if you make sure to jet to stock specs, it will be a good start. I do not recall. Quick google search will provide. :-)
Thank you !!!!
Why didn't you show putting the crank seals on the crankshaft???? I was really looking forward to that!!
Cool videos
I started with a cherry ‘85 JS550 for $700 from the original owner. Bought it in 2001 at the age of 13. Was a good ski and provided many memories. Nice to see them still being enjoyed and repaired/serviced for more years. Also, what’s the scoop on that ‘89-‘95 Toyota pickup on the lift? I drive a ‘94 XtraCab 4x4 (22RE, 5 speed manual, DLX) and I’ve got those same red/clear tail light lenses. Also got an ‘88 4x4 and an ‘87 4Runner.
Where can I find part 2 of this engine repair video ? Thx .
Yeah, that's what I was wondering. I'm trying to find part 2 of this video.
Where did you get the spark checker tool?
Best one I have ever used. The company name changes a lot, This is the current one...
www.amazon.com/Calterm-66331-Tru-Spark-Adjustable-Sensitivity/dp/B000JFHMPC
What is the black plate you installed? I think you called it a ‘ pump stuffer ‘ ?
Yes, pro watercraft sells them, i did a video just for those, it is called "make any jet ski faster".
Hey just wondering what flame arrestor you recommend? I have a 87 440
Do you use dielectric on your wire connections ??? 😊
Hi there, I just finished a restoration on my 88’ 550 and I cannot get it to run without backfiring for the life of me. I’ve switched plugs, stators, magnetos, ebox. All From a known good running ski. I also Checked if crank is twisted and everything checks out. Do you have any other recommendations I am stumped.
The only thing that stands out is you haven't swapped out the flywheel. Backfiring is almost always a timing issue.
Sorry I forgot to include that, I did swap out the flywheel with the same 21 flywheel really strong magnets and they don’t move very good condition. I have gotten recommendations to change my carb to a sbn 44 because the stock bn round body’s tend to cause issues
Hey Jim, how many 1000 volts does the Igniter put out?
It's been 25 years since we measured one of those. If i recall, it was around 8000 volts...
Hey. Where can i se the serienumber on my engien? And how can i find the model on my jetski?
Carburetor side rear cylinder, look down between the carb and engine block where the reed cage is, there is a flat spot down there and you will see the numbers. AS for the model, you need to call your local Kawasaki dealer and give them the Vin number, (they call it a "HIN"), and they can tell you the model based on that.
I think the 2 pickups have to do with it being a motorcycle part
Hey Jimmy great video was wanting to know what spark checker are you using
Best one I have ever used. The brand name changes a lot, This is the current one...
www.amazon.com/Calterm-66331-Tru-Spark-Adjustable-Sensitivity/dp/B000JFHMPC
Hey Jimmy great video was wanting to know what spark checker are you using? Would definitely like to get one vs the inline ones?