I have a 99 Kawasaki Ultra 150. It runs well for about 15 minutes and then starts surging. It won't hold a constant speed and eventually dies to the point it won't even get up on plane. But if you let it sit a little while it runs fine again. It seems something is getting too hot. Any ideas?

7/24/2006 8:21:48 PM

pump or line is blocked/leaking?

7/24/2006 8:51:15 PM

cracked manifold.

7/24/2006 9:55:33 PM

1.gas
2.match
3.buy a yamaha
4. ...
5. profit

7/24/2006 10:21:19 PM

Why would a cracked manifold cause it to act this way? What about a messed up coil or computer?

7/25/2006 12:42:52 PM

isnt a 99 carbed?

7/25/2006 1:57:08 PM

i think they're all carbed

my '01 is carbed

7/25/2006 2:04:20 PM

Yea...it's carbed. The fuel gauge has never work and I have had it three years. So anybody have any ideas?

7/25/2006 8:11:25 PM

Quote :

"Why would a cracked manifold cause it to act this way? What about a messed up coil or computer?"

A messed up coil is just gonna give you a severe misfire.

Cracked manifold will bleed in excess air, leaning out your mixture. More expansion from heat, more leakage. Loss of power with intermittent surges.

If this is what it is, then you're in danger of burning a piston if you don't hurry up and take care of it.

Of course, blockage in the jets of the carbs will also contribute to this problem.

Actually, the last Kawi I messed with had blown its carb gaskets out (or they had been dipped in water too much; fucker drew water like crazy), and the symptoms were the same.

7/25/2006 9:28:31 PM

do a quick compression test and take it to the shop...carbs go out in these fairly often. My yamaha is getting its carbs rebuilt this week.

7/25/2006 10:40:56 PM

So how much does a basic jetski cost?

I rode one for the first time recently and damn, i couldn't believe it would be so much fun.

But if I get one, I also need a trailer for it, right? Cause I don't have a truck to haul it.

7/25/2006 10:50:53 PM

have you checked the fuel filter? or for water in the tank?

[Edited on July 25, 2006 at 10:58 PM. Reason : forgot to mention the tank vent check valve too]

7/25/2006 10:57:00 PM

i just bought a 2001 Ultra 150 with a trailer for $3600. it has about 120 hours on the clock. i had to take it to have the pump rebuilt, which is going to run about $450, although it will have a slightly better than stock impeller...so total, i'll have a little over 4k in the setup.


ultras are kinda steep, though, because they're pretty much the top of the PWC food chain (other than the new Sea-Doo monstrosity), which costs 5-figures and weighs 50% more than my Kawasaki, although with 215 hp, it's a couple of mph faster.


you can get some of the 2nd-tier (but still sweet) skis for at least $1000 less.

7/25/2006 10:57:03 PM

Quote :

"My yamaha is getting its carbs rebuilt this week."

that's because it sat in the garage how long...? i started tearing my motor down the other day for the next build.

7/26/2006 5:39:57 PM

I new fuel hose and a set plugs fixed my problem. Now have to look at replacing the bearings in the water pump. Still hit 75 on Harris today. It was butter out there. Thanks for trying to help.

8/3/2006 10:06:23 PM

i was out on harris a few days ago and it was rough as hell. I guess b/c it was so crowded. Which ramp do you use?

8/4/2006 7:14:00 AM

^^yep, don't let those bearings go any longer if they need replacing.

my ultra is in the shop right now having the pump rebuilt, because the bearings were so FUBAR that it self destructed.

8/4/2006 7:35:45 AM

I use the one off of exit 89 on #1. Barrett-Hollowman I think.

8/4/2006 5:07:31 PM

^^^^75 on the dreamometer

8/4/2006 10:42:03 PM

yeah, certainly not on the GPS or RADAR meter.

8/5/2006 12:05:15 AM

Yea I know...sometimes you can't trust the speedo, but it will do over 70 for sure. Well it also depends on how much the rider weighs.

8/7/2006 9:06:09 AM

Quote :

"but it will do over 70 for sure."

not unless you find some water that goes downhill.

8/7/2006 10:29:46 AM

^^try 62-64

8/7/2006 5:00:08 PM

Quote :

"^^try 62-64"

8/7/2006 11:52:32 PM

it might do better than that, but def not 70.

8/8/2006 10:47:17 PM

I went out to harris today and used bout 30 bux in gas but the damn water was really really rough...felt like i was in a sound at the beach or something... but it was only like me and 4 boats

8/9/2006 3:35:24 PM

I was out there yesterday with the boat and skis. It wasn't too bad over by the cooling tower. It always calms down about 7. It was real nice all over about 8.

8/10/2006 7:55:48 AM

This ski is for sale. It has been fully serviced including the jet pumped. I also have a 00 ZXi 1100. Probably going to start asking $8500 for both and the dual trailer. Both skis have about 65 hours on them. I think the price is fair...any thoughts??

9/10/2006 1:44:06 PM

^ not bad.. let me know if you want to sell just the ultra tho

9/11/2006 5:02:32 PM

i prolly be sellin lil kawi if anyone is interested

9/11/2006 5:10:03 PM

what kind

9/12/2006 2:30:47 AM

440 stand up. circa '86

9/12/2006 2:41:21 AM