My 2002 GTX RFI fills up with water when ever I drive it I don't know what to do now

[laxexquis]

Ok well I bought this Sea Doo in 02 new and I have had absolutly no problems with it until this year.

When ever you drive it it fills up with water, the more you drive the more it fills up.

First I was worried there was a crack in the hull, but then I realized I was thinking nonesense considering I have always used in Lake George (fresh water) and it only has 59 hours.

So I then realized that when you leave it sitting it does not fill up with water, only when the engine is on. So I figured that a coolant line or somme must have broken. I then emptied out all the water with a wet/dry vac and turned the Sea Doo on in neutral while tied to the dock, I looked around and felt around for leaks and I found a bad leak under the exhaust hose, the hose had bursted, could this be becuase of a bad winterization keeping in mind it sitts out side in 0 degree weather?

But anyway I bought the correct hose, replaced the bad one, tighted it up and took it for a ride. Well it still filled up with water So i again emptied out the water, tied it up and turned it on, I just could not find any leak, could there be a leak in hoses under the engine, or could there be a crack in the engine itself, I have been pondering this stuff all week! Could someone tell me a good place to look, and is this normal because I can't figure out why this would happen with a Sea DOo with 59 hours while there are some with 500 hours still running.

Please Help,

Thanks very much,
John

 

[seadoo sam]

are the drain plugs in?

 

[laxexquis]

are the drain plugs in?

Yes. Ironically, when we put it in, we forgot to put the drain plugs in, but turns out the drain plugs are one way (out) and it will not fill up with water even if out.

It fills up with water only when the engine is on. We have had it sitting at the dock with the engine on and you can sit more and more water coming in, but we cannot find its origin.

John

 

[cdnbikerdude]

Take the seat off and drive it around, i bet you will find the leak then.

There aren't really any water connections under the engine.

Check the water regulator on the muffler box, check the bailer hoses that they are tied up high. Make sure there are no holes in the exhaust pipe when running at speed.

 

[JJinSC]

I saw this happen on a Sea-doo with a bad boot on the propeller shaft once. It only leaked when the shaft turned.

 

[laxexquis]

Take the seat off and drive it around, i bet you will find the leak then.

There aren't really any water connections under the engine.

Check the water regulator on the muffler box, check the bailer hoses that they are tied up high. Make sure there are no holes in the exhaust pipe when running at speed.

There was a bad leak in the exhaust (I think). It was a rubber hose about three inches in diameter and I replaced it. It seems to be working fine, but maybe at higher speeds it is leaking. Do you think there is a difference between the amount of and the pressure of the water circulating through the Sea Doo when reving the engine in neutral as to actually driving?

Thanks for your time

John

 

[laxexquis]

I saw this happen on a Sea-doo with a bad boot on the propeller shaft once. It only leaked when the shaft turned.

Ok, that could very well be possible.

Do you think put the sea doo in neutral and revving it would be a good way to test it? Because even when in neutral, the shaft is still spinning.

The only problem I have with that idea is that I found a bad burst in an exhaust line, replaced it and there was no leak there any more.

I feel it is coincidental that both of those things would of went.

So after considering that it is still leaking after I replaced the exhaust line makes me think that either two things are happening:

1. I only checked the hose I replaced (for no leaks) while revving the motor in neutral, not while actually driving it.

That is a question I have, is the amount and pressure of the water circulating through the system higher when actually driving at (for example) at 4000 RPM then it is sitting at a dock, in neutral, revving at 4000 RPM. As far as I know, put the ski in neutral does not change the amount of water it is pumping, it only directs it downwards. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Possibility 2:

All the exhaust hoses became weak as the sea doo is 7 years old (though always used in fresh water) and finally one burst. I found the one that burst and replaced it. Now because this area of the exhaust is new, other (old) exhaust hoses took the pressure and burst and I just need to find where.

Thanks for you time.

John

 

[laxexquis]

Take the seat off and drive it around, i bet you will find the leak then.

There aren't really any water connections under the engine.

Check the water regulator on the muffler box, check the bailer hoses that they are tied up high. Make sure there are no holes in the exhaust pipe when running at speed.

I will do that. Thanks for the suggestion.

John

 

[sc419795]

I am by no means an expert...a newbie on PWCs...but a little more familiar with boats. Any way you can pull it out of the water on a trailer - then fill the hull with water and see where the water comes out? If it is finding a way in, it has to find a way out.

 

[cbjrumble]

I really dont think thats a good idea.

Just because it came in one way, doesnt mean its going to go out that way. Second the engine comparment is meant to stay dry exposing it to water on purpose is just not a good move imo.

How about when you hook it up to the hose does it gain water?

 

[Goddo]

Last year when the dealer pulled my pump off to change the wear ring they actually broke one of the plastic nozzles that exit through the jet pump housing. Long story short, the ski would fill with water when I rode it as the water being drawn in through that nozzle was actually coming into the hull and not the cooling system.

I'm not familiar with the pump or cooling system on your model, but what you describe sounds similar. You may have a crack in a nozzle or hose somewhere and when the pump is spinning and drawing water, it's spilling into the hull.

 

[laxexquis]

I really dont think thats a good idea.

Just because it came in one way, doesnt mean its going to go out that way. Second the engine comparment is meant to stay dry exposing it to water on purpose is just not a good move imo.

How about when you hook it up to the hose does it gain water?

I have not tried the hose yet. I feel that it would be less likely to find the problem because the amount of water going in is defiantly less, but I will defiantly do it mainly because it will help me eliminate the problem.

I had a good idea which was to put it on the hose with the engine off because if the engine was off and water was circulating through the system I felt it would be easier to find the leak (no engine nose, vibration etc.) but I have read in many places that if you have the hose going with the engine off , you will flood the engine (with water), is this true?

Thanks
John

 

[laxexquis]

Last year when the dealer pulled my pump off to change the wear ring they actually broke one of the plastic nozzles that exit through the jet pump housing. Long story short, the ski would fill with water when I rode it as the water being drawn in through that nozzle was actually coming into the hull and not the cooling system.

I'm not familiar with the pump or cooling system on your model, but what you describe sounds similar. You may have a crack in a nozzle or hose somewhere and when the pump is spinning and drawing water, it's spilling into the hull.

Ok, so where could these nozzles be?

The only problem I have is that I found a bad burst in an exhaust line, replaced it and there was no leak there any more.

I feel it is coincidental that both of those things would of went.

So after considering that it is still leaking after I replaced the exhaust line makes me think that either all the exhaust hoses became weak as the sea doo is 7 years old (though always used in fresh water) and finally one burst. I found the one that burst and replaced it. Now because this area of the exhaust is new, other (old) exhaust hoses took the pressure and burst and I just need to find where

or..

The hose replacement I did is leaking at high speeds only (I checked it while revving in neutral, not at high speeds).

John

 

[cbjrumble]

I have not tried the hose yet. I feel that it would be less likely to find the problem because the amount of water going in is defiantly less, but I will defiantly do it mainly because it will help me eliminate the problem.

I had a good idea which was to put it on the hose with the engine off because if the engine was off and water was circulating through the system I felt it would be easier to find the leak (no engine nose, vibration etc.) but I have read in many places that if you have the hose going with the engine off , you will flood the engine (with water), is this true?

Thanks
John

This is absolutely true the engine is needed to power the water thru the system without it the water is not able to get thru the exhaust and just backs up into the engine. Should never run the hose without the engine running.

 

[Goddo]

Ok, so where could these nozzles be?

The only problem I have is that I found a bad burst in an exhaust line, replaced it and there was no leak there any more.

I feel it is coincidental that both of those things would of went.

So after considering that it is still leaking after I replaced the exhaust line makes me think that either all the exhaust hoses became weak as the sea doo is 7 years old (though always used in fresh water) and finally one burst. I found the one that burst and replaced it. Now because this area of the exhaust is new, other (old) exhaust hoses took the pressure and burst and I just need to find where

or..

The hose replacement I did is leaking at high speeds only (I checked it while revving in neutral, not at high speeds).

John

In the figure on the left you can see the nozzles (on my pump). The hoses inside the hull hook onto these nozzles and the water gets forced in when the impeller is spinning. In my case, you couldn't see that the nozzle was cracked because the hoses were zip tied together. So while it appeared that all hoses were okay, one of the hoses was actually not connected to the pump. It took a lot of reaching around and tracing all the lines until I noticed the end of the hose hanging a couple of inches below the other one (with a piece of the nozzle stuck in it).

The funny thing is that when I took the pump off to replace the nozzle, I actually broke the replacement nozzle as they are only plastic and break easily under any stress. I have since replaced the nozzle with a threaded stainless tube.

 

[Chester]

Also, make sure the syphon tubes in the jet pump venturi are both there.part #18

If one or both of these are missing, water will go into the hull instead of out while under way.

Chester

 

[Josh6t_97xp]

I not really familiar with the engine you have but on the back side(opposite exhaust manifold) there is a water line with a t that comes out of the back of the cylinders could this be broke. On the 800 I believe its under the pipe but would have to feel to make sure.

 

[laxexquis]

In the figure on the left you can see the nozzles (on my pump). The hoses inside the hull hook onto these nozzles and the water gets forced in when the impeller is spinning. In my case, you couldn't see that the nozzle was cracked because the hoses were zip tied together. So while it appeared that all hoses were okay, one of the hoses was actually not connected to the pump. It took a lot of reaching around and tracing all the lines until I noticed the end of the hose hanging a couple of inches below the other one (with a piece of the nozzle stuck in it).

The funny thing is that when I took the pump off to replace the nozzle, I actually broke the replacement nozzle as they are only plastic and break easily under any stress. I have since replaced the nozzle with a threaded stainless tube.[/QUOTE]

Ok, that is very helpful.

If you read some of my earlier posts you'll notice that I originally had a leak in my exhaust line, and before I repaired it, I once took it out for a ride and A LOT of water ended up filling into the engine compartment, maybe this did something to all of the nozzles.

As I am away from my sea doo right now I can not check it :rant:, but I can't wait to.

So to get this straight, the connection (nozzle to water line) is down near the shaft boot? What are these line for, cooling?

In order to replace any of these lines I would have to take off the whole impeller, right? I have done that before (to get a rock out) so it should be easy.

But will I be able to tell if it is broken from the engine compartment?

Also, what do you mean when you say zip tied?

Thank you for your help,

John

 

[laxexquis]

I not really familiar with the engine you have but on the back side(opposite exhaust manifold) there is a water line with a t that comes out of the back of the cylinders could this be broke. On the 800 I believe its under the pipe but would have to feel to make sure.

Ok, I will check thanks.

John

 

[laxexquis]

If one or both of these are missing, water will go into the hull instead of out while under way.

Chester[/QUOTE]

Ok, that is another possibility.

I will certainly check that, thanks.

John

 

[Goddo]

So to get this straight, the connection (nozzle to water line) is down near the shaft boot? What are these line for, cooling?

--ANSWER:

No. These connections are all at the back of the ski (inside the engine compartment). Those 3 nozzles in the pic go through 3 holes in the hull (figure 28). The hoses are connected inside the engine compartment. The only one of the three that would cause your problem would be the nozzle that sits off to the side by itself. It is the main water inlet where water is drawn into the exhaust to cool the engine. If you had the pump out to fix the impeller you could have cracked this nozzle, it's easy to do.



In order to replace any of these lines I would have to take off the whole impeller, right? I have done that before (to get a rock out) so it should be easy.

ANSWER:

No. As I alluded to above. All the lines hook to the nozzles which are actually inside the engine compartment. The nozzles are part of the pump and when the pump is bolted to the hull, those 3 nozzles go through the holes in the hull that are there to allow those nozzles to pass through. Then the hoses clamp to the nozzles inside the engine compartment.

But will I be able to tell if it is broken from the engine compartment?

ANSWER:

yes. Trace all the hoses back to the rear of the engine compartment and ensure they are connected to a nozzle on the pump. In my case, when I traced the main water inlet hose back, it wasn't connected to a nozzle. The end of the hose was sitting down below the pump (just hanging there) and the broken nozzle was still in the end of it.

Also, what do you mean when you say zip tied?

Zip or cable tie just means those plastic ties that people use to secure their hoses, lines, electrical to something else. My hoses were all tied together so I didn't really notice the third one as it was secured to the other day. Basically I had to look carefully and trace each hose to its final destination.

 

[laxexquis]

So to get this straight, the connection (nozzle to water line) is down near the shaft boot? What are these line for, cooling?

--ANSWER:

No. These connections are all at the back of the ski (inside the engine compartment). Those 3 nozzles in the pic go through 3 holes in the hull (figure 28). The hoses are connected inside the engine compartment. The only one of the three that would cause your problem would be the nozzle that sits off to the side by itself. It is the main water inlet where water is drawn into the exhaust to cool the engine. If you had the pump out to fix the impeller you could have cracked this nozzle, it's easy to do.



In order to replace any of these lines I would have to take off the whole impeller, right? I have done that before (to get a rock out) so it should be easy.

ANSWER:

No. As I alluded to above. All the lines hook to the nozzles which are actually inside the engine compartment. The nozzles are part of the pump and when the pump is bolted to the hull, those 3 nozzles go through the holes in the hull that are there to allow those nozzles to pass through. Then the hoses clamp to the nozzles inside the engine compartment.

But will I be able to tell if it is broken from the engine compartment?

ANSWER:

yes. Trace all the hoses back to the rear of the engine compartment and ensure they are connected to a nozzle on the pump. In my case, when I traced the main water inlet hose back, it wasn't connected to a nozzle. The end of the hose was sitting down below the pump (just hanging there) and the broken nozzle was still in the end of it.

Also, what do you mean when you say zip tied?

Zip or cable tie just means those plastic ties that people use to secure their hoses, lines, electrical to something else. My hoses were all tied together so I didn't really notice the third one as it was secured to the other day. Basically I had to look carefully and trace each hose to its final destination.

Ok, that helps a lot.

The only thing is that when I had the nozzle out, I put it back in and everything was fine. It started filling up with water about a year or two after I did that. But it is still very possible.

I understand that if I wanted to replace one of those lines I would not have to unbolt the pump, but if I had to replace on of those nozzles that come in through the hull, would I have to unbolt it?

You have been very helpful.

Thanks
John

 

[Goddo]

You would need to pull the pump to replace the nozzles, but you shouldn't have to replace them unless they are visibly cracked.

As much as I'm doing my best to help, there are so many ways you could be getting water inside. The fact that it only happens when you are using the ski tells me it's impeller/cooling related. The pump pulls water through pretty fast and the smallest gap in the seal or a line or exhaust can bring in a lot of water in a hurry.

Good luck.

 

[Chester]

The water tubes are part of the pump support on a 2002 GTX RFI, they are not attached to the pump.

Chester

 

[Goddo]

The water tubes are part of the pump support on a 2002 GTX RFI, they are not attached to the pump.

Chester

Sorry to hi-jack, but Chester, your knowledge is unsurpassed. Thanks man.