Oil in hull

[TSibs]

Hello, I have a 2001 Seadoo GTI. When I was winterizing for the end of season last year there was quite a bit of oil in the hull. I thought I had filled up the reserve with too much oil, so I washed out the hull and didn't think anything of it. When I went to kick start it up for this season, I noticed more oil in the hull.

I started to investigage around the oil tank, there are some drips of oil around the seams of the tank and the grommet. It doesn't seem though that these drips could fill the hull up. All of the hoses seem to be hooked up to the tank and the grommet correctly with no noticible leaks. The line that has the oil filter on it, that goes to the oil pump looks fine as well.

As I am an amature at this, I am unable to tell where the leak is coming from. I am questioning if the leak is coming from the oil pump itself or where the oil line goes into the block from the grommet? I just can't get my big hands under the oil pump to feel where the line goes into the block to see if it is dripping there.

I love to work on these things by myself but I'm worried that this job might be outside of my ability level. Any suggestions/help??

Thanks
Todd

 

[Linescreamer]

A mirror, small hands, paper towels and carb cleaner. Once it's wipped down and clean, look at everything. I really don't like the grommets they use on these things.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

it's the grommet between the tank and the elbow at the bottom, $6-$7 part. replace it.

even a slow leak X 200 days = lots of oil.

 

[TSibs]

Thanks Sabr. Is there any way to be sure that it is the grommet? Is replacing the grommet an easy job? Can I salvage the oil in my oil tank, as it is 3/4 full? Does it matter that I have a little bit of oil coming from the seam of the oil tank? Sorry for the 20 questions...

 

[TSibs]

Linescreamer what does carb cleaner do?

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

If the seals are leaking, you can pick up a new (used) tank on ebay.

the grommet isn't hard, but you will lose a lot of oil.

I don't suggest carb cleaner in the hull. simple green, or dawn work very well, with less cost and side effects.

Carb cleaner should be used to clear oil/gunk from metal... not really for fiberglass...

run the oil tank low (safely) just don't add oil for a while, while using the ski. The less oil in the tank, the less can leak out.

You can remove the hose(s) from the tank, plug it w/your finger, then drain it into a CLEAN container to be re-used.

I also suggest changing your oil filter at the same time, since you will be doing 90% of the work to do that anyway.

make sure to properly bleed the oil line to the engine when you put all this back in. air in that line = "gonna have a bad time".

 

[TSibs]

Great advice, thanks Sabr! I'll let you know if I run into any problems along the way

 

[jnunez4]

Oil leak

Hey T, not sure exactly what your oil tank looks like BUT there is usually a rubber seal at the bottom of the tanks where the lines connect that sometimes rot and leak. I had what I considered a small leak from the bottom of my tank but day after day, drop by drop it caused a big puddle in the hull. If possible, I recommend pumping the oil out first. You can go to any autoparts store and buy a manual pump to recycle your oil into the original or a clean container for later use (not more than $20; these things come in handy for any type of leak you may have later on or fluid you may need to extract, water in the hull or engine, emptying your gas tank, etc.) Next try to clean out all the oil from the hull of the ski and monitor it every 12 hours to see if you can determine where the leak is coming from. My guess is from the oil tank itself, especially if it is growing as the days pass.

 

[TSibs]

I have done my best to identify the spot of the leak. Cleaned the hull out as much as I could. It definitely seems like the leak is coming from the oil tank, whether it be the grommet or the tank, or both. Is it worth taking the oil tank apart and trying to seal the edges better, or to replace the oil tank itself. I was hoping to not have to spend the $75 for a new one. What is the easiest way to replace the oil tank? Do I have to go through the front compartment as well as the main compartment?

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

unstrap it and pull it out the front. used ones on eBay are like $40 ish.

 

[TSibs]

I brought the ski out this past week. The steering was sticking when the handles were turned all the way to the right. You could get it to come out of the stuck position but you had to push up on the right pretty hard, if not give it a bit of a bump. Any suggestions on what could make the steering stick when turned to the right?

 

[El Toro 33809]

Have you looked at the jet when it's o the trailer and you are turning the handle bars? It may be hanging up in something.

The topic you started this with was oil in the hull. You probably should start a new thread since this is a different issue.