650SX: Is leaky crankshaft seal the problem? Replacement..

Yes, still riding a 1991 Kawasaki Jet Ski. No problems in 13 years
until now. At the start of the season, the ski started and idled
fine, however when I applied the throttle, I got no power. It sounds
like the engine is gasping for air.

I checked spark plugs, fuel and fuel delivery. No problems there. My
local Kawasaki dealer diagnosed the problem as leaking crankshaft
seals. Since they want nearly $500 to replace the seals, I want to do
some of my own investigation and potentially my own work.

I'd very much appreciate help with the following questions:

1. Does leaking crankshaft seals sound like the likely problem?
Anything else to check first?

2. Any way to verify the leaking seal problem before tearing apart the
engine?

3. I've reviewed the service manual for accessing the crankshaft. It
says to remove the top end of the engine first. Is this necessary if
I simply want to get to the crankshaft and replace the seals? It
appears I can just open the bottom of the crankcase and access the
crankshaft without removing the top end.

4. If I proceed with replacing the seals, is there anything else I
should replace while in there?

5. Where can I buy the special tools mentioned in the manual:
flywheel holder, coupler tool, flywheel puller?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Stuck on the dock in California...

 >
 >Yes, still riding a 1991 Kawasaki Jet Ski. No problems in 13 years
 >until now. At the start of the season, the ski started and idled
 >fine, however when I applied the throttle, I got no power. It sounds
 >like the engine is gasping for air.
 >
 >I checked spark plugs, fuel and fuel delivery. No problems there. My
 >local Kawasaki dealer diagnosed the problem as leaking crankshaft
 >seals. Since they want nearly $500 to replace the seals, I want to do
 >some of my own investigation and potentially my own work.
 >
 >I'd very much appreciate help with the following questions:
 >
 >1. Does leaking crankshaft seals sound like the likely problem?
 >Anything else to check first?
 >
 >2. Any way to verify the leaking seal problem before tearing apart the
 >engine?
 >
 >3. I've reviewed the service manual for accessing the crankshaft. It
 >says to remove the top end of the engine first. Is this necessary if
 >I simply want to get to the crankshaft and replace the seals? It
 >appears I can just open the bottom of the crankcase and access the
 >crankshaft without removing the top end.
 >
 >4. If I proceed with replacing the seals, is there anything else I
 >should replace while in there?
 >
 >5. Where can I buy the special tools mentioned in the manual:
 >flywheel holder, coupler tool, flywheel puller?
 >
 >Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
 >
 >Stuck on the dock in California...
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >

You should do a leak down on the engine first<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->