Coolant leak

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Hot ridding today in my 08 speedster 215 hp. Hose behind the motor came out. It appears to contain the thermostat and a rubber o ring. Plastic/slots and fittings connect the hose back. I have it reconnected but their is some play which still allows a leak. Is there another o ring for the thermostat or something that would tighten up things and stop the leak? Ever had this happen? Would like to be on the water tomorrow.

 

[Dr Honda]

can you post a pic of the part?


If you have a leak, don't go out. you could burn up your engine.

 

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Definitely not going out if I don't fix it. Seems like it should easy. Looking for some guidance.

 

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Trying to figure out what should in this area. Thermostat and rubber o ring is accounted for. Wondering if anything else should be in there?

 

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Here is my conclusion. Thermostat froze, built up pressure blowing that fitting and hose off the back exposing the thermostat and the o ring. I removed the thermostat (hot here) lubes the o ring with pert shampoo and popped it back in without the thermostat. Refilled coolant, no leak, back on the water. Should I even put another thermostat in I ask myself? Thermostat's in general like to fail without warning causing these kind of problems. No temp gauge means I don't know I have a problem until I have areal problem.

 

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Well, after riding a while it over heated again. So, looking for another cause for over heating. Do these have a radiator or heat exchange or what? I don't see any obstructions. Wondering if Ait somehow got in the cool any system. Any thought or help?

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes... you need a thermostat. If you run the engine too cool, you will blow a head gasket.

Yes, you have a heat exchanger... it's your ride plate.

As far as overheating... when you refilled the system, you may have had air in it. When the air gets to the pump, the water stops pumping. Also, I wouldn't use soap to lube the o-rings. Most detergents are corrosive. They are designed to be used, and washed away.


If you want more help, I would like to see a pic of how the parts are fitting since you say it's loose.

 

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The fitting issue was fixed once the o ring went into place. Any suggestions on how to bleed the system for the air? I'm going to replace the thermostat. Guess I need to make sure the ride plate is clear. I had no problem with power, just heat. Thinking maybe the thermostat caused my first problem. Now air in the coolant is my next. Also, when refilling the coolant, should I have put any in any other part of the system? I filled it from the over flow tank at the top.

 

[Dr Honda]

I haven't done too many 4-tech boats... but, you will want to have the drain plug out of the ride plate, and have someone pour in anti-freeze until you see it coming out, without air, and install the plug while it's flowing. This will pre-bleed the ride plate.

Then... fill the system.

There is a small bleed screw by the temp sensor. You can remove that, and make sure the air is all out of that point.

Top off again if needed.

Start the engine for a couple minutes to get the coolant to pump, and any left over air should come up to the tank. Then let it cool for a while. You will want to do this 2 or 3 times.

Oh... make sure you have water running though the flush connector so you don't overheat the exhaust.

 

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By the way, thanks Dr. Honda. You were the only checking this out for me. I'm hoping my thermostat. Diagnosis was correct and that the second over heating issue was because I had not bled the coolant.

 

[Dr Honda]

Glad I could help :cheers:

At my shop, I work mostly on bikes, but on some of the newer small bikes, they may only hold a quart of coolant, and I know how critical it is to get it all in. On one of those bikes (Like a Suzuki DRZ) if you are a few Oz low... they will overheat.

I'm sure that was your issue.

One last thing. I looked in the service manual, and down by your water pump, there is a weep hole. Once it's back together, make sure you don't have any coolant coming out that hole. If you do see coolant there... the seals in the pump a giving out.

 

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I will check that. This was a sudden issue and as I said it blew that back hose off. No sign of a leak before of after. I called this a coolant leak before I realized what it was. I'm thinking the pressure was from the thermostat freezing up. Wated to get back to the trialer so I put it back together without the thermostat just to get back. Put coolant in but did not bleed it. It overheated again after a few minutes but quickly cooled down. No leaks.

 

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I'm a race car guy, driver mainly. I'm not familiar with the parts on these things. I guess I will have to figure out what and where they are as you spit them out. The nearest Seadoo repair place is and hour and forty five minutes away and they are backed up three weeks. Guess it's on me.

 

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