Ultra 150 won't go past 15-17mph / 4000RPM in water...

[scott0720]

I have a 1999 Kawasaki Ultra 150 engine that seems to need a rebuild. Here is the situation. I bought this 2nd hand in early May. The guy who sold it to me worked for the local Polaris dealer in Texas and said he had just done an engine rebuild on it. There was a LOT of oil in the bilge. I did not get a chance to try it out until July 4th weekend. It would not start. I took it into the local Kawasaki shop and they have basically had it since then. It has had to have new wiring harnesses put in due to oil and corrosion. It had to have a new ignitor (?) and some other misc electrical parts. We tried to take it to the lake and it did not seem to have any power over 15-17 mph / 4000 RPM and no “umphhh”. (I have a 99 1100 STX that runs great and this ski should out do the 1100…) Plano Kawasaki then said it was the carbs and did a rebuild on them. Still nothing after a lake test. The tech then did a “look around” and says that he thinks the crankshaft and bearings are warped or something and seem to be seizing under a load. The ski seems to run OK when not in the water. Compression is good on all cylinders.

I guess I am trying to find out what an engine rebuild might cost or if anyone might have any other ideas. I have already put $1700 into this ski besides the purchase cost and at this point, I just want to get it running or someone to tell me its not worth it…

Thanks,

Scott

[jordanmills]

Re: Ultra 150 won't go past 15-17mph / 4000RPM in water...

checked the pump?

[FastUltra]

Re: Ultra 150 won't go past 15-17mph / 4000RPM in water...

I'm not to sure on that crank story. Does the dealer seem to know what they are talking about? I would do a compression test. Check all fuel lines, filter and pump. The plugs are new right? If there was oil in the bilge then who ever built the engine might not have took much care. Oil can cause lots of problems. Like your harness. After you run it for a while are all cylinders getting warm to the touch?

[scott0720]

Re: Ultra 150 won't go past 15-17mph / 4000RPM in water...

I am not sure which pump you might be referring to. Fuel? Water?

As far as the crankshaft story, no, I am not to sure of it either. I have thought about trying to find another person in Dallas, TX area that can look at the ski, but I am not sure where to locate someone like that. I am fairly new to having to really work on a Jetski. Done some work on boats, but they are 4 cycle vs 2 cycle and more like a car... I just am not sure where to go from here...

Anyone know of any good JetSki mechanics in the area (Dallas, TX and vicinity) ?

Thanks!

[FastUltra]

Re: Ultra 150 won't go past 15-17mph / 4000RPM in water...

i'm sorry fuel pump. Check the cylinder temps, just by your hand next time you are out. See if one is quite a bit cooler then the rest. Also do you know how to do a plug chop? What do your plugs look like after a day of riding? I think your problem is something simple Fuel or spark delevery. But I think that this won't be your last problem. Good Luck!


Paul

[addicted2speed]

Re: Ultra 150 won't go past 15-17mph / 4000RPM in water...

It sure sounds like you current repair facility is throwing a blind dart at proverbial diagnostic dartboard. It's time for a more reliable mechanic. Try to contact Watercraft Services, a member that posts in this forum. I am unfamiliar with Texas geography, but they also are located in Texas (around Houston?). If they are too far from you, maybe they can reccomend a more reputable shop to take your ski to. $1700 is alot to spend to not have a running ski.

[SJ]

Re: Ultra 150 won't go past 15-17mph / 4000RPM in water...

Take it to WaterCross of Texas. He knows the Ultra motor well. www.watercrossracing.com

[kylecrago]

Re: Ultra 150 won't go past 15-17mph / 4000RPM in water...

hey ive had the same problem before today
if you continue holding the throttle, does the rpms pick up eventually?
also
say you went thru some heavy chop while bogging did it jump out of the water?

if it did or does then you should check your ignition , fire order, pugs ,r they the right kind of plugs (important)

fixed mine this afternoon and rode it around for twenty minutes it had the same problem as yours before i fixed it ,now it fuckin hauls , no lie it said 77 on the speedo no lie

[Mark3D]

Re: Ultra 150 won't go past 15-17mph / 4000RPM in water...

u checked the impellor,i had aprob when i bought my 150 ultra that it run no prob out of the water then when in water would go and had no power if i throttled itit would just vibrate then stall.....then wouldnt start when out of water..so checked impellor and had part of a plastic bag in there also a stone lodged in impellor once clear sorted prob..