Should have mentioned last night, the valve assembly can fail also due 
to the retainer/keeper holding the spring in place can fail, along with 
the possibility of a spring breaking/collapsing allowing the valve to 
stay open and getting struck by the piston. Though leaking head gaskets 
can cause damage, in this case, I think the valve failing (for a variety 
of reasons mentioned) was the first event. This is evident from the fact 
of a failed valve and the battered sparkplug. Sure would like to see 
pictures of the area.

There is the issue of who can shout the loudest, the rental agency 
saying it was upside down, which doesn't hold water in my thinking, and 
the failed valve. It will be the renter's burden of proof to show the facts.

Brent Brown wrote:
> I guess one argument is that a Jet Ski is intended to operate in water, if you fall off 
> while riding it that's considered part of the sport, so if the machine fails mechanically 
> while you are renting it and not treating it abnormally then it should not be your 
> responsibility.
>
> That argument suits you more than the renting company I'm sure :-)
>
> I suggest asking around companies that sell/service jet ski's and find out if water 
> damage to engines in fact common, and under what circumstances. Perhaps even 
> this specific model has some design quirk that makes it more susceptible in some 
> way or some commonly occuring fault. A four stroke can drop a valve for other 
> reasons too, then it breaks things, then water comes in...
>
>
>
>   
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