Adding an inline water filter ? Water regulator ?

[Spimothy Leary]

A friend of mine posed this question to me and I didn't have a ready answer, did a quick lazy search here and came up blank so I thought i'd post it up for discussion, on paper the ideas seem to have merit but I figured I was overlooking some downsides. I've always subscribed to the KISS method since adding gadgets add's fault points but these two idea's didn't seem totally crazy.
I'm shameless so I don't mind asking a variety of stupid questions now and then. I'm a rec rider, not a wrencher so I defer to more experienced wrench turners than myself.

We both have nearly identical setups, 96 xp's with spec1 and jetting both to the pipe and the waterbox..

First, installing an inline water filter.

FlowJet In-Line Water Strainer 3/8" Waterline
http://www.atlanticjetsport.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1474

since the pipe & waterbox are jetted this would serve as an additional filter to catch sand/misc that might possibly clog the jets which are always a concern since they obviously can clog much easier.

any downsides with exception that it add's an additional fault point to the cooling system ?


Second, installing an inline water pressure regulator with a manual crank to open/close (assuming it closes to 0%)

Jet Works Adjustable Inline Water Restrictor

http://www.atlanticjetsport.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1462

This was something he found after I said I wanted to install a ball/shutoff valve for towing and of course he came up with a more expensive, but more high tech alternative to my home depot fix... This would serve primarily as a replacement for the standard fluid line clamp (pic below) i now use for towing, as I see no practical reason to restrict the flow of coolant going to the head (that should always be 100% I assume) and the two other lines coming off are jetted. We have 4 old xp's in our ride group so somebody is getting towed back to the ramp at least 5% of our rides for some reason or another.

Again, my first thought was that the home depot ball valve option was cheaper & easier, but this might be an interesting alternative. Do you see any downsides that i'm overlooking ?

The poor man's shutoff i'm using now is the $5 harborfreight fluid line clamps, i throw a couple in the storage bin with the misc tools and clamp when necessary. Simple and easy but having a shutoff installed right on the line would certainly be a nice option.

 

[Dr Honda]

Water strainer: This has been a debate for a VERY long time. I remember talking to people about it in the 80's. (when I was in high school) The general thought was they clog up faster than not having anything there. They will hold grass, and other things that will pass thought the system. Since it's just a "Strainer"... with a course screen in it... it still allows the real problem past. SAND !! When sand gets into the engine... it will settle out, and fill the jugs and pipe. Also... sand is what will clog the pipe/water jetting on a seadoo... or the pipe strainer on a Polaris.

So... it's always been a "No" when I've talked to people about one.

Water Regulator: What's the reasoning? There is no reason to have adjustable water for a recreational rider. Even for a racer... an "Adjustable" system isn't "Science". So... for the racer... a jetting system is the best because you know exactly how much water you are passing.

So... once again... that would be a No for me.


Hose clamps: Absolutely. I keep a few with me. If you need to tow a ski... it will keep you from filling the engine full of water. AND... since they are a "Temp" fix (unlike the ball valve) there is minimal worry about going out on a ride with the hose clamped off.

So that one is a Yes.

 

[Dr Honda]

Double post.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

ok, thx....
the filter/strainer issue makes sense, i'll pass along

the regulator (assuming again that it shuts down to 0% with the manual crank) would just be a fancy hose clamp, and yes, the downside is you might forget to uncrank it back to 100%, seems like you'd be less likely to forget a hose clamp (i usually clip my lanyard to the hose clamp so that way it can't be forgotten)(although I haven't been towed in a year).

and yes, i agree, makes no sense to restrict the water flow to the head, and we're already jetting the other two lines.

thx for your input !

 

[Matt Braley]

Spim I know you said "besides an additional fault point" and "more experienced wrench turners than yourself" but I'm chiming in anyway. I learned from what Dr. Honda said(as usual) about the strainer downsides. I had one on my 96 XP and took it off after reading on a thread a while back stating that our pumps pressure burst when gassing it will blow them apart sometimes. After looking at how coarse the screen in it was it thought what the Dr. said about not stopping the sand anyway. Also 3/8"? The line feeding the ski is 1/2"(12mm) right? Lastly, I saw a strainer of that same design labled "for suction side only". It now rests in my mountain of junk.

 

[HighTrim]

This may be a stupid question, but am going to ask regardless. I have no shame either !

What and why are you guys clamping off? I have never been told to clamp any lines while towing, so am confused. I only have older doos though so not sure if this pertains to me or not.

I do use the clamps when winterizing to keep the antifreeze from running out, but other than that have never used them.

Can someone explain?

 

[Spimothy Leary]

This may be a stupid question, but am going to ask regardless. I have no shame either !

What and why are you guys clamping off? I have never been told to clamp any lines while towing, so am confused. I only have older doos though so not sure if this pertains to me or not.

I do use the clamps when winterizing to keep the antifreeze from running out, but other than that have never used them.

Can someone explain?

clamping off the water intake when towing over 5 mph,
water can be forced into the engine (and since the engine isn't running, it isn't forced back out, therefore the engine can fill with water)

when towing at 5mph or less its not a concern, when towing at speed, it is....

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Just to clairfy.....towing means BEING TOWED IN, not towing a tube or a skier.

Otherwise Spim is correct in his last post.

 

[HighTrim]

Ok, for your entertainment, I thought you meant towing, as in being trailered or towed on a trailer. I didnt get it, geesh.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

lol , now that would be a pain.. but yes,, sorry if it wasn't specific.
not being towed on the trailer, not towing a tube, but when it breaks down and you are getting dragged behind another ski or boat at any speed over 5ish mph.

but yes... don't be afraid to ask questions, i've been in this sport for only about 5 years and let me tell you, i've asked some doozies !

 

[donkey]

i have the 98 xpL,,hope i dont have to tow it,,but,,if i do,,i clamp off the water line that comes from the inlets in the pump?,,