Treasure in the Trash: Reviving a 440/550 Kawasaki Jet Ski! 💎🗑️

Рет қаралды 22,720

Жыл бұрын

Prepare to dive deep into the world of personal watercraft with the one and only Jet Ski Jim! In this exclusive episode, he's bringing you the inside scoop on what can only be described as the 'Model T's of PWCs' - the legendary 440/550 Kawasaki Jet Skis. Jet Ski Jim unravels the mysteries and tackles the most common pitfalls that these iconic machines often throw at their owners.
Are you a proud owner of a 440/550, or have you ever had the thrill of riding one of these classics? We want to hear your stories! Share your experiences with these vintage watercraft in the comments below. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just curious about these powerhouses, this video is a must-watch for all PWC enthusiasts. So, strap in and get ready for a deep dive into the world of 440/550s! 🌊🚤🛠️ #JetSkiJim #PWCEnthusiast #440550Experience
Happy Independence Day Y’all!
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Пікірлер: 70

@jetskijim007 Жыл бұрын

Here is the Bass Pro Independence Day Sale! bassproshops.vzck.net/c/4259002/1725914/9453. Thank you for supporting my channel.

@SymboIik 3 күн бұрын

My younger brother just rescued a 86 js440. Today we cleaned the carb and it fired up but did hesitate at first. This video just taught me how to begin my troubleshooting. 🤙

@coreygreco5087 11 ай бұрын

Need more content like this. Ive been working on these for a long time and still learned a bunch in this video.

@jetskijim007 11 ай бұрын

I'm glad to hear. Welcome to the channel, and thank you for the kind words.

@pestcontrolguys Жыл бұрын

Stand up skis- the stuff that dreams are made of! Great vid Jim!

@Yuccabillybrad Жыл бұрын

Another good episode Jimmy!

@dougfeehan8421 24 күн бұрын

Excellent video

@mitchellsavage6933 Жыл бұрын

wow you must have like 50 years experience with these machines and engines. loved the video keep up the great work!

@Derf1313 Жыл бұрын

Great way to start problem solving. No good reason to not stay ahead of maintenance... Thanx !

@JetSkiBuyFixPlaySellChannel Жыл бұрын

I had a couple 440 and 550 skis. Switched over to 650 and 750 skis. Had much better luck with them.

@juanito2903 Жыл бұрын

Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸

@OhioDave1345 Жыл бұрын

Great video, Jim! Did you get all the info, Kris?

@KrisD007 Жыл бұрын

You know I'm the one who tells him every thing he says in his videos. I am “Jet Ski Jim” 😂😂😂

@neilfromclearwaterfl81 Жыл бұрын

Fuel system seems pretty standard to me since that is basically what two stroke boat engines used back in the 1950's and 1960's so very common to what we had back in the day. Didn't see a manual air pump to initially pressurize the fuel tank though. SOP working on the old carbs was to epoxy seal the expanding plugs especially if someone put the carbs in dip tanks. The newer dip solutions are highly corrosive so you have to follow the instructions as for how long you leave things in then (no more overnight soaks) and to do the required water wash afterwards or the solution will continue to corrode away the body around the plugs, threads and pressed in fittings potentially turning the entire carburetor into a porous brittle piece of scrap metal. Some had o-rings, teflon, nylon, etc seals on the shafts too that the dip would eat up requiring the butterfly's be removed so the seals could be replaced. Reedless designs with creative porting does make compression more critical just like its done with 2 stroke chainsaws, lawnmowers, trimmers, etc. Also makes knowing the correct mix and using it with the best 2 stroke oil more critical. Too little you lose compression, seals and bearing surfaces from wear while too much and you get too much carbon buildup in the exhaust port also causing starting and other problems so no just eyeballing it and hoping for the best results. Too much is deemed to be worthless trash because folks don't understand how it works and don't have the ability to see its different. Way too much ends up in the dumpster because folks don't understand the technology. Best!

@davidowen3207 9 ай бұрын

Oh man where was this video 1 year ago when I was rehabbing a js550 for the first time? Yo uwould have saved me months of heartache - thanks.

@cbailey6359 4 ай бұрын

I’d love to see a video like this on the superjet… just basic things looks over/check. I also liked the video on the 650 where you kept it stock but just little tips and tricks to get more speed out of it. Would love to see similar videos on the superjet!

@jetskijim007 4 ай бұрын

I have been looking for a project superjet for over a year. Someday i will find one and do that for sure. :-)

@jetskivision5369 Жыл бұрын

Great content

@not-fishing4730 9 ай бұрын

Many thanks for messing with Merlin, Paul and Matt. It helps us landlubbers make the connection to motorized watersports.

@markgagner1607 Жыл бұрын

Good job Jimmy!

@jeffwestbrook2504 9 ай бұрын

Loved our 1983 Kawasaki 440 Jet ski (bought new in 83)Did a lot of cool trick things to it and enjoyed for over 10 years.

@riverfrontww Жыл бұрын

Jim I like the jet ski content, have you considered filming when Merlin ropes you in to an adventure I think that would be some awesome content!

@sjbadalamente 9 ай бұрын

I took my first jet ski ride on a Kawasaki 550 in 1980 ... This week I brought home a 1988 Kawasaki JS440 that's been in storage since 2006. Just got her running, did some Googling, and found you :) Thanks for posting this... I see now that I am not alone!

@EricHerzer 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for all the information on the 550. I have a 1984 js550 I'm painting, Thinking about moving the pisser returned line as its below the water line now, is this a good idea?

@toriwhitney9740 9 ай бұрын

Very happy I found this channel. I have been following Fabrats for years. Picked up a beat to death 550 and some how got it to run. Stuffed the engine and drive into a Jon boat. I was trying to figure out some gremlins with the water supply to the engine. I think this video pointed me in the direction I need to go after I fix the stator that got spun around inside the flywheel. Learned more from this video than anything online.

@ryanvalade81 Ай бұрын

Great video. I have 2 550 rebuilds I am having such a hard time with. They keep flooding and filling the pistons/crank with fuel.

@kcbear8575 Жыл бұрын

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA 🎉HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY Jimmy and your family salute to all the veterans& troops It was awesome to met you in St.Louis last week had a great time hope to met again one day what another great video I can’t wait to get a jet ski been waiting one sent I was young but guess when the time is right then it meant for me to get one

@kylef6920 3 ай бұрын

I've owned a 1980 440 and now have a 1985 440. The 80 threw a nasty electrical bug at me that I never could figure out and ended up selling to someone who thought they could tackle the issue. My 1985 has been great for a few years, but recently started back firing/bogging/running rich/smoking like a chimney. I think it is the crank seals but can't be sure. I love riding my skis but not sure if I want to tackle an engine disassembly and rebuild without being certain. Might be time to trade up for another ski...

@craigster1952 9 ай бұрын

I have owned 550s since 1985 and done many of the things you are talking about,

@Sparky597 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the clear descriptions; helped me out with my 88' 550

@jetskijim007 9 ай бұрын

Very cool!

@KRAVER_ 9 ай бұрын

Great video with tons of useful info. thanks for sharing

@MishMashMoto 11 ай бұрын

Great video! I miss my old 550

@jeffbryner5355 9 ай бұрын

Great video man! In my area there isn't such thing as a 440 or 550 for a 100 bucks anymore. There like a grand for a clapped out beater lol.3k for a nice one. Even superjets are through the roof thanks to the discontinue of the 2 stroke version. 3k all day for a beat up 650 sqare nose. 5k for a 61x square nose. I I see round nose sj's for more then a 2023 4 stroke superjet smh. It's insane

@batteryman16 10 ай бұрын

Nice quality helpful video. Thanks!

@garys1167 6 ай бұрын

Keep it up Jimmy. Your awesome.

@rustyredfearn4421 4 ай бұрын

Awesome video, very informative. Could you do a video of installing and siliconing the pump shoe. My 440 has major cavitation and I wanted to make sure I do the install and silicone job correctly. Thanks in advance

@jetskijim007 4 ай бұрын

You bet, I will put that on the list. Thank you!

@hankhessig6586 9 ай бұрын

Great Stuff !!!

@BlackAnvil48 9 ай бұрын

Cheers bro. Nice videos, keep em up :)

@chadwile 9 ай бұрын

Had a Frankenstein stand up here earlier this year that needed a complete wire harness.. not sure if the customer found 1 or not..thanks for the knowledge

@sethnordell717 Ай бұрын

Working on my 440 right now. After completely taking it apart and adding new gaskets it still has bad compression. So now we’re trying to see what the cause of it is. Possibly piston rings?

@LindsayDunia 11 ай бұрын

I had a 550 with 200 lbs compression per hole but got rid of it. I had the BN carb rebuilt but I could never get it to run in the water. I just bought an 88 440 in LHC, compression is a wee low (90lbs on mag and 100 on pto), I adjusted the carb to factory spec and it's push button start. NGL it does need some work but if I can get 1 ride for the season I'll be happy. The fuel system needs attention someone bypassed the filter and I suspect the carb needs some love. I do want to rebuild the top end and get some work to up the compression. I've dealt with a 93 Polaris SL750 Triple and tuned those carbs, I can deal with a 88 Kawasaki 440.

@jetskijim007 11 ай бұрын

LOL, that's awesome. Yeah, if you can deal with triples, that will be cake.

@dustinslaughter9651 18 күн бұрын

Great video! Glad I found your channel. I have ‘90 550 that hasn’t ran in a couple years… just went through the carb and got it started but it seems like it still isn’t pumping fuel. I’m wondering if it’s the reserve valve?

@jetskijim007 18 күн бұрын

That's awesome! Check the compression. If it is above 130psi then do the mods to the carb from the video. :-)

@dustinslaughter9651 14 күн бұрын

Tested compression with two different testers and getting ~100 from both cylinders. Drained & re-filled fuel tank. Switch the carb back to original spring + bar and JB welded pressed in caps. Installed spark plugs that you recommend. Keep getting inconsistent starting but it’s easiest after it’s been sitting with a little bit of throttle. I’ve gotten it in the water twice and it’s ran good for a short session then bogs - dies - won’t restart.

@tomburns890 5 күн бұрын

Hello, grate video our Kaw JS 550 can run for an hour or two & when stopped or turned off it won’t start. It also cuts out at high rpm when hitting the gas and Wouldn’t idle either. We turned up the idle & turned the carb gas in tank screw & got rip of the high end lag & it now idles. Any other ideas or thoughts. Thanks

@surfjat15 10 ай бұрын

Awesome video. a lot was already known or common knowledge for me after scowering the FB groups. I’m on my 3rd ski now i get more and more into it. My question is advice for setting the idle while in water , i just resurrected a 86 js300 with a ton of parts (some performance) and got it running awesome however , i can’t seem to get it to idle? i had to bury the idle screw bottoming it out to the point where the ski would really pull ya at idle,,, is it a low jet adjustment i should do next? ski runs fine mid / half / full throttle no issues ! jets are factory set positions and carb was fully disassembled and cleaned

@jetskijim007 10 ай бұрын

That is a round body carb, and it is different than most round body carbs, It should be internally regulated. Make sure the return line out is not plugged. All the other round body carbs use the external rev limiter to meter the return line back to the tank.

@waskier4842 7 ай бұрын

Jim. I bought a 550 piston port ski. I had a Seattle dealer rebuild it. It blew up. We communally agreed to let me buy all reed motor parts at cost so I built a NICE reed motor. I got tired of resealing the mains. Steve "Cosmic" Miller(?) had a shop up here and he had some trick Dual Lip, dual spring, Teflon impregnated snowmobile main seals. I religiously leaked down tested my Long block for over a decade, I'd lose

@jetskijim007 7 ай бұрын

yes, I have used them in the past. They do work great. They are still available for the 650/750/800 engines, I haven't seen them for the 550's in years though...

@simon4779 24 күн бұрын

Hi Jim, i have a Js300 and a 650sx, do you think filling the handle pole with expanding foam is a good idea? i notice the 300 is empty with a drain hole near the pivot. Aluminium pole on the 650. Thanks, Simon

@jetskijim007 21 күн бұрын

No, the hole in the bottom is for the fuel vent line. When the ski was new, a fuel line ran from the check valve on the fuel tank so that as you used fuel it used the void in the handle pole to pull fresh air in. That way if the check valve ever leaked fuel back through it, it would not vent inside the ski and create an explosion hazard.

@devinhood8502 Жыл бұрын

Do you build 787 motors?

@jetskijim007 Жыл бұрын

many many years ago. Haven't built one of those in probably 20 years.. :-)

@tiny.dragons 9 ай бұрын

Hello, Im new to having an any aquatic vehicle in general but have managed to get ahold of a 550 like this one. On the right side of the tail looks to be what I only know to describe as a screw on and off cap. Its about three or four inches in diameter and on mine it wont move. Very stuck. What is it? I simply don’t know what Im looking at. Any help would be greatly appreciated. You can actually see it in the video at 7:27 in the lower left hand corner.

@jetskijim007 9 ай бұрын

What you are looking at is the fire extinguisher storage compartment. They have an o ring, and they can be very tough to remove. :-)

@calebguilmette2438 7 ай бұрын

How across the board is that spark plug issue having to much resistance have a 350 banshee having some issues wondering if this may be coming into play

@jetskijim007 7 ай бұрын

In the motorcycle/atv world of electronics, they have been around a lot longer, so they are much better, i have never seen issues like those. Whenever there are spark issues on bikes, it is almost always ground related. Especially in rust prone areas. You need to check the ground where the coil bolts to the frame, and remove ALL the rust there. Rust is what increases resistance, and there is always rust. More so on bikes that get washed and detailed all the time. :-)

@calebguilmette2438 7 ай бұрын

@jetskijim007 awesome thanks so much man I appreciate it! I'm running into the issue of one cylinder is half way running the other runs completely fine this one hits or misses. She will Rev to the moon in neutral but the second she goes under load its bog city so I'm just trying all the odds and ends before I do a break down

@tomken5919 3 ай бұрын

Jim do you know what compression should be on a stock 550? My 86’ is making 105psi

@jetskijim007 3 ай бұрын

Does it start and run/idle? If so, then you may need to check your gauge. The piston port engines won't run down under about 120 psi, as there is not enough suction on intake stroke to pull fuel through the carb. Stock is 138-140, but they will run all the down to about 122-125 psi.

@tomken5919 3 ай бұрын

@@jetskijim007 I haven’t tried starting it yet. Did a complete rebuild, bottom and top end. However… I cheaped out and didn’t buy new pistons (only the rings). I took the cylinder to a local mechanic to hone it and give a cross hatching. That’s it. Assembled everything back and it’s making 105 in each cylinder.

@tomken5919 3 ай бұрын

@@jetskijim007 can I ask for your recommendation on where to start next?

@colinm990 17 күн бұрын

@@tomken5919 Same story, here, had a local guy bore and got all new pistons and crank and I only get 110/115 (stock head).. It runs but tuning has been hell. I can't get it to idle below 1500rpm, is that because of the poor compression?

@danielfiske9849 9 ай бұрын

Where can you get replacement parts?

@jetskijim007 9 ай бұрын

Unfortunately there isn't any one stop shop for parts. I have over 15 websites I frequent: Shopsbt.com Wsmparts.com Watcom.com Blowsion.com Ebay.com And many more

@danielfiske9849 9 ай бұрын

@jetskijim007 Thank you so much. Appreciate the reply. Love your Channel. G.O.A.T!!