1995 GTX Water Leak

[etemplet]

Put in a long day getting the GTX ready for the water test. I bought it to the launch and the inside was dry as a bone. Launched the ski and it sat in the water.... no leaks. I started the engine and went for a 200 yard ride and came back. Removed the seat and.... much water in the hull. The hull seal is not leaking and the water in the hull was warm. I didn't do anything with the cooling system but I obviously have a leak. ... somewhere.

The ski ran pretty good but I didn't run it too long. I took a couple of short rides out and back and sat at the launch idling trying to locate the source of the leak. No Joy!! It was getting dark and the water in the hull was rising so I shut down and came home.

I love test riding these skis !!

 

[mikidymac]

The warm water leak is typically from the welch plugs on the headpipe

 

[etemplet]

I will give that a look tomorrow. Gotta be a pretty substantial leak.

 

[kmarts]

when my welch plug went it was on the underside of the pipe and shot right at the stator electrical connector.

 

[etemplet]

when my welch plug went it was on the underside of the pipe and shot right at the stator electrical connector.

As it always seems to me, these jet ski failures seem to go for the juggler. Not often simple. Why can't they just break and not do so much carnage.

I am anxious to get his back in the water so I can prove it is all working properly. I am also interested in seeing how the ski performs since the carb settings recommended for the ski. 1/4 turn out on the high speeds.

 

[etemplet]

Spent an hour this morning trying to locate the source of the leak. I can't see where it is coming from the engine. I cleaned the hull and I don't even get dripps when the ski is running. When it was sitting in the water at first launch... the hull was dry. It was when I took it for a 2 minute ride it got a good bit of water in there. I got it all cleaned up and will go launch it again. I am thinking it is something in the back section of the ski. Not sure what it could be but I will amuse myself today trying to figure this out. I wanna go fast and ride this sucker like I stole it !!

 

[mikidymac]

Run with the seat off until you find it.

 

[etemplet]

Looks like the plug in the back of the ski is leaking. I didn't think it could let that much water in so quickly but it is a steady trickle. I didn't start the engine on the water. I'll fix this leak then head out again. Ski has run pretty good this far. Wear ring looks good.

 

[etemplet]

Question, if you spend a prolonged amount of time in reverse or neutral could that build up pressure and force a bit of water through the vacuum pick ups in the hull? or at least reduce their efficiency?

 

[mikidymac]

No, because the pump is still pumping water out the back, the diverter gate just directs it forward.

 

[etemplet]

Well that was kinda strange. Someone installed Bolts and Nuts to hold the water plug into the rear or the ski. The must have had really long arms to get in there and hold the lock nuts into position. Hopefully my repair job will "get R done." I want to get this ski on the water for some ridin and TESTIN.

 

[etemplet]

DUDE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a sneaky leak. I had that ski dry inside... put it in the water didn't see anything. I even put the seat on and took it right back off to see if it was sneakin on me. I went for a 2 minute ride and came back.... a little water nothing much. I went out again about the same amount, I figured that was under the motor. So... to the ski out for a ride, spent about 15 minutes cutting up did some top end runs and had a ball. When I got back... lots of water in the engine compartment. So... it was ON at that point.

I pulled the muffler, water lines, pressure tested them for leaks, they had some deep gouges so I replaced the lines and made sure all the clamps were tight. I pulled some loose RTV from spots, cleaned and put new ultra gray on the spots. This baby is back together and ready to go. If it leaks again I'm gonna laugh right after I say W T F !!???

 

[etemplet]

No Joy.... the work I did yesterday was good but it did not address the problem of water getting into the engine compartment. The hull was dry when I put the ski in the water. After launch, there was water in the hull but not a lot. But it got in there quick. When the ski was just floating it was difficult to determine if water was entering at all. When I rode straight I didn't get much water into the engine so that made me wonder. Towards the end of the test I'd cut up for about 10 minutes or so and always the water level was high enough to warrant pulling the ski from the water. I noticed the sponsons would move when I pushed or lifted in them. So I pulled both . On the right side 3 of the nuts were not hardly "hand tight". I wonder about the dynamic pressure of the water against the sponsons... perhaps that can spray into the compartment.... All I can do is try. LOL I'll try again !! and see what happens.

 

[mikidymac]

You can always fill the ski with water on the trailer to find hull leaks.

 

[etemplet]

I'm to paranoid about water and mechanical parts especially electrical to purposely put water in the hull to any depth.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Sounds like the leak is showing up at speed, I like the lose sponson path.

 

[Hishman]

Make sure you give it gas and turn the ski hard when you look down for the leak. Mine was a carbon seal that only leaked when turning under throttle.

 

[etemplet]

Boy O Boy do I every HATE removing and replacing sponsons !!... Got R Did !! It's not the engine, it's not the seal, and Sponsons are now sealed so water isn't coming from there. I am convinced it is coming in the right rear section near the drain plug. I fixed the drain plug on Tuesday. I am getting a drip at idle and it looks to be coming from where the exhaust exits the hull.

To complicate matters I pinched the drain hoses. I still think water is coming into the hull from the drains. I have a plan to test them. It doesn't seem logical but they definitely "don't work" at all. I would like to know the amount of water they are designed to remove from the ski. That will be my test.

 

[mikidymac]

They remove the water pretty fast but if the long plastic tubes are gone from the pump venturi they will pump water directly into the hull.

 

[etemplet]

I will take a look. I pulled the Ends Off and blew air through them and they were clear. More checks today and this weekend.

 

[etemplet]

Well, I jacked up the front end and filled the back end of the ski with water. Only leak I have is the PLUG. It's brand new and I did an excellent job of sealing the mount. The plug has an O-ring that I reckon is not sealing properly. Are there better Hull plugs? I will be taking the ski to the canal tomorrow and testing the drains. Hopefully gonna put this one to bed soon.