Water in crankcases ! Any ideas ??

[AndyOh]

Hi .
I have a 96 Seadoo GTX out for a ride Friday evening ski was running fine ,,, Then after about 15 mins engine started to fade and would not rev . I Very slowly got back to slipway and back on the trailer and engine was hydrolocked. Took plugs out got most of the was out , eventually got it started how did this much water get onto my crankcases ?? And what do I need to do so it doesn't do it again ?

 

[FL-Rider]

Sounds like a blown gasket or disconnected hose spraying into the carbs while running. You could run it on the hose to see if you see water spraying anywhere. Keep in mind though that more water will get in the crankcase and you will have to clear it. The other option would be to do a pressure test with air, and that involves some disassembly and blocking off the intake and exhaust openings.

 

[AndyOh]

Hi FL Rider
Thanks for your reply, there was no water around carb intake at all or in Hull. I have got all the water out of crankcases and filled with fogging oil for now .
So to pressure test do I need to make blanking plates for exhaust and inlet ? And what sort of psi pressure should it be tested at ?
Look forward to your reply.
Andy

 

[AndyOh]

Sounds like a blown gasket or disconnected hose spraying into the carbs while running. You could run it on the hose to see if you see water spraying anywhere. Keep in mind though that more water will get in the crankcase and you will have to clear it. The other option would be to do a pressure test with air, and that involves some disassembly and blocking off the intake and exhaust openings.

Hi FL Rider
Thanks for your reply, there was no water around carb intake at all or in Hull. I have got all the water out of crankcases and filled with fogging oil for now .
So to pressure test do I need to make blanking plates for exhaust and inlet ? And what sort of psi pressure should it be tested at ?
Look forward to your reply.
Andy

 

[FL-Rider]

Yes, you'll have to make plates. I used 5/8" plywood and 1/4" rubber sheet. I traced the gasket, drilled the wood and punched the rubber with a hollow cutting punch for the bolt holes. You can take off the exhaust pipe and carbs and block off from there. You can also simply use round plumbing plugs as well, if you can find ones that fit your openings. Seal all hose nipples with rubber caps. Check crankcase side by attaching test pump hose to pulse nipple. Pump to 5 psi, and no higher so you dont blow out your seals. Test cooling side by attaching test pump hose to one of the cooling hose nipples.
Watch your oil lines for air bubbles. The check valves may leak. If so, bleed lines of air before starting engine again.
Obtain service manual for your boat. I think its available from this site. It will have all the details.

 

[FL-Rider]

Did you ever figure out what happened?

 

[POPPS]

FL is correct, It's possible that your leak is at the head pipe, or at the manifold. When you run water through it, check for leaks at those 2 areas.

 

[FL-Rider]

Another thought... You mentioned it lost power while riding it and you got it back to the dock slowly, so I didn't ask the question of "Did you tow it back to the dock or flip it?"
If the answer is yes, that could have gotten the water in the engine without seeing any inside the hull. Towing it over 15 mph without the cooling hose pinched off can cause water to back up in the exhaust and flood the engine. Likewise, if the ski flips and is turned the wrong direction when righting it, that can get water in through the exhaust system too.

 

[POPPS]

FL may have nailed it.

 

[AndyOh]

Thanks for all your input and ideas , Not sorted yet , waiting for gasket set to arrive before I strip it down , I didn't tow it or flip it , engine just started to slow to just over tick over and struggled it back to dock ,, however I did pull choke when slowly coming in and engine did pick up ok for a while . Pto pot was full of water which I have emptied and fog oiled at mo till I strip it meantime whilst I'm waiting for gaskets I'm prepping my standup for respray and new decals

 

[POPPS]

Another possibility, that the inlet house from the pump, at the back of your hull, is loose and not clamped securely? And also possibly the out house is not clamped or secured? Just a shot in the dark and easy to check/repair.