1998 Ski Nautique | Problem Starting

[Tadly]

I bought a beautiful 1998 Ski Nautique a couple weeks ago. 230 hours. It has the PCM 351 with Holley Carb. We have used it four times so far. I grew up skiing behind a Ski Nautique & have been looking for one like this for a long time. I think it may have an issue with the carb...or possibly electrical though. We were towed off the lake tonight because it wouldn't start after towing our first skier. A bit embarassing, but I was glad some nice people stopped to help us...even if they were in a Master Craft.

Here's what I have found so far:

First time we had the boat out we swapped ends a couple times just to check out the handling. Both times when I went from full throttle to idle the engine stalled. I didn't think too much of it at the time & it started right back up.

No issues at all 2nd time out.

We took it to a mountain lake for 3rd time out. (About 2,500 feet higher than our lake here.) Engine ran great entire day until I went to start it and put in on the trailer. It didn't want to start, but finally did by using a bit more throttle.

Tonight, it started a bit rough when we put it in. We warmed it up to temp, pulled our first skier. Turned engine off. Next skier in the water, we go to start and engine turns over easily, but won't start. I looked in the carb (engine off) and gave it throttle and fuel goes into carb. Thought maybe plugs were fouled from running at higher elevation, but pulled one and it looks fine. Thought it might be a overheated coil, but tried it back at the ramp after getting towed across lake (Sherriff boat took over from Master Craft about half way across Lake) and it still wouldn't start.

Any suggestions on where to continue trouble shooting would be much appreciated. Also, what hoses do I need to hook to water to run the engine when not in the Lake? Thanks in advance!

--Tad

[Tadly]

RE: 1998 Ski Nautique | Problem Starting

Well, still not sure what is going on with the ’98. I hooked it up to water last night. Gave the throttle two small hits per the manual before starting and the engine fired up the first time. I let it run and come up to temp. Got it nice & warm to test the coil. Turned engine off and waited for a few. Started right back up again! I am actually starting to think it might be an issue with the emergency shut off switch. I took the lanyard off & it acted the same as the other night. Then, with lanyard back on, engine acted as if flooded…close as I can get to replicating the issue. We did try full throttle & cranking as described in the manual the other night on the lake to no avail.

I guess it is back up to the lake. Hope we don’t have to get a tow again! May change out fuel filter…just for good measure & do a full tune up. I think fuel filter is marine specific though. Anybody know where I can order the fuel filter…our local Nautique dealership just went out of business.

[east tx skier]

I kind of thought about the fuel filter for a second. Is it the spin on variety or an element? Either way, in that instance, I've had luck (with my older carb boat) with my local Napa Automotive matching those parts for me. I think the FCC is specific to the fuel injected engines, right?

[triplered]

Tadly - does it feel like a fuel delivery problem -- in other words, does it spit, sputter, and attempt to start at all? Have you tried simply opening the neutral throttle all the way during a start attempt? This would turn off the fuel to the carb allowing you to start a flooded engine. If you're spitting and sputtering, it sounds like a carb / filter problem.

Electircal connections are key. Tight, clean battery connections, solid fuse at the battery, known good lanyard etc., etc.

[NCH2oSki]

I would also say fuel delivery would be the first place to start. Get a can or two of Sea Foam and add to some fresh fuel, change the filters, change the plugs, check the distributor cap and roter.

[Tadly]

Thanks guys! Here are the part numbers for the replacement fuel filter/water separator. This is for the carburated 351 PCM in '98. It is the spin on type. We'll see if it has any more issues.

Sierra Marine: #18-7845
Mercury: #35-60494-1
NAPA: #3225

[dyoungman1]

Tad nice boat. I live in Boise as well and have a 1998 ski nautique. I am out on Lucky Peak at least once a week. I usually park back by the entrance of the no wake zone towards Robie Creek. My boat is maroon and tan. The kids are a little too small for skiing so we pull them on the tubes and let them play on the beach. Come say hello sometime.

Dave

[Tadly]

Thanks Dave, I'll keep my eyes open for your boat. We usually ski up near Arrowrock Dam on weekday nights. We ski once a week behind my friend's 1989 Ski Nautique (Red & White 2001). It is in a slip at Spring Shores. The other days we ski behind our boat and usually launch at Spring Shores as well. If we head up More's Cr. I will definitely say "Hi" if we see you. Have fun up at the Lake!

[Tadly]

The '98 still acts a little strange but seems to start more consistently after replacing the fuel filter. I think it may be that it just sat in the previous owner's garage too long without use & needs to adjust to being used again. If it won't start I do the "cold start" procedure as outlined in the manual. 2 pumps of the throttle and move the throttle forward a bit in neutral. Then it fires right up every time! Strange, since it sometimes will need this starting procedure on a warm engine, but at least we have figured out how to force it to start if needed.

[roccoh]

I have the exact smae problem with my 1999 ski nautique

Hi tadly- I've been having hte same problem with my 1999 Ski Nautique. I've installed the ectronic conversion kit. That helps. However, I'm still having starting problems. I plan to replace fuel/water filter this weekend. did you resolve your problems? If so, what was the fix?

thanks

I bought a beautiful 1998 Ski Nautique a couple weeks ago. 230 hours. It has the PCM 351 with Holley Carb. We have used it four times so far. I grew up skiing behind a Ski Nautique & have been looking for one like this for a long time. I think it may have an issue with the carb...or possibly electrical though. We were towed off the lake tonight because it wouldn't start after towing our first skier. A bit embarassing, but I was glad some nice people stopped to help us...even if they were in a Master Craft.

Here's what I have found so far:

First time we had the boat out we swapped ends a couple times just to check out the handling. Both times when I went from full throttle to idle the engine stalled. I didn't think too much of it at the time & it started right back up.

No issues at all 2nd time out.

We took it to a mountain lake for 3rd time out. (About 2,500 feet higher than our lake here.) Engine ran great entire day until I went to start it and put in on the trailer. It didn't want to start, but finally did by using a bit more throttle.

Tonight, it started a bit rough when we put it in. We warmed it up to temp, pulled our first skier. Turned engine off. Next skier in the water, we go to start and engine turns over easily, but won't start. I looked in the carb (engine off) and gave it throttle and fuel goes into carb. Thought maybe plugs were fouled from running at higher elevation, but pulled one and it looks fine. Thought it might be a overheated coil, but tried it back at the ramp after getting towed across lake (Sherriff boat took over from Master Craft about half way across Lake) and it still wouldn't start.

Any suggestions on where to continue trouble shooting would be much appreciated. Also, what hoses do I need to hook to water to run the engine when not in the Lake? Thanks in advance!

--Tad