Water in cylinder, loose exhaust

[roberto188]

I have a 2000 gtx that was running full bore today, not problems, then all of sudden it started to run VERY rough. Excessive vibration and couldn't get it above 6000 rpms. Took it out of the water, and i couldnt' start it. It just wouldn't fire up. Pulled the plugs and found water all over the plugs. Cleaned the plugs, used the starter witht eh plugs out and blew the water out of the cylinders. Put plugs back in and it started up and ran. Then I put the cooling hose hookup on, and it fouled again. Pulled the plugs...water on the plugs again. I also noticed that the HUGE bolt that holds the exhaust to the engine had come out. I found in the back of the ski. Tightened it back up, which helped with the vibration issue, but I still am getting huge amounts of water in my cylinders and in my engine compartment when i run it with the cooling water on. I'm thinking today the bolt that holds the exhaust to the engine come off, which then toqued the connection to the exhaust manifold and now the gasket there is not sealing...allowing cooling water to go into the engine and all over the compartment. Does this seem about right based on the symptoms? Also, how do I go about re-gasketing that connection between the exhaust manifold and the exhuast pipe? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[- BiRkS_]

I'm confused which bolt came out? The one that holds the pipe to the block (that attaches to a bracket with 3 bolts near front of engine) or one of the 3 bolts/1 stud that hold the pipe to the manifold? If 1 of the manifold to pipe bolts came loose, then YES you will have water in the hull, potentially that would get sucked into the carbs, then into your engine. Get that thing running again right away and fog the crap out of the engine (through the carbs and lubricate that bottom end to avoid damage.

Only other possibility is a blown base gasket, or head gasket. But i would try the pipe first. The pipe bolts need loctite on them.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Yep, you don't want to let it set with water in the crankcase, too bad to hear the exhaust manifold came loose. Try to get it put back so it doesn't leak and run it to burn/blow the water out.

Might be advisable to always have a spare set of exhaust manifold gaskets on hand for in case/when this does happen, eh, guys?

 

[roberto188]

I'm confused which bolt came out? The one that holds the pipe to the block (that attaches to a bracket with 3 bolts near front of engine) or one of the 3 bolts/1 stud that hold the pipe to the manifold? If 1 of the manifold to pipe bolts came loose, then YES you will have water in the hull, potentially that would get sucked into the carbs, then into your engine. Get that thing running again right away and fog the crap out of the engine (through the carbs and lubricate that bottom end to avoid damage.

Only other possibility is a blown base gasket, or head gasket. But i would try the pipe first. The pipe bolts need loctite on them.

Yes, the bolt that holds the pipe to the block (hence the issue with excessive vibration). When I ran the cooling water I could see water seeping out the top of the connection between the manifold and the exhaust pipe (I couldn't see it come out the bottom, but it had to be pouring because the interior of the whole bottom of the ski was wet). I managed to get it started with no cooling water, and took the plugs out and they were no longer wet (think most of the water is out). Any advice on taking the exhaust pipe off/regasketing it? Do I need a new gasket where the exhaust has that wild looking clamp too, or can I reuse that one? Also, anyone have a suggested proceedure? Should I remove the carbs first?

 

[- BiRkS_]

Just did mine about a month ago. Yes remove the carbs (4 6mm allan bolts) and the carb support bracket on pipe) then the manifold bolts, (including the 4th 15mm nut) Then the bolt that you had put back in, followed by the band clamp. Then just the couple cooling lines and off it comes. (slides out towards back of ski) Now clean the gasket surfaces of all the old crap and I used an angle die grinder with the 3M gasket prep pads (wonderful tool, highly recommend it) or be careful with a razor blade and a fine sanding block (320 grit or higher) Clean the surfaces where the two pipe halves meet then use Permatex high temp oil resistant sealant (orange stuff). Just a thin even coat on the inside lip of the pipe.

Slide the pipe back in and set the clamp in place. Now wiggle the pipe until you feel it seat in perfectly (you will feel it and it will look right) you should be able to squeeze the clamp closed with your hands and not see any threads left on the stud side. Once tightened I beleive another member said you should have around 18mm of stud/thread showing past the nut.

Then I find starting the pipe support bolt threads (with the little black mount with 3 bolts going into block). You may find loosening those 3 bolts will help align the pipe and bracket. Then work your way to the pipe-manifold joint. I didnt use any sealant on this gasket. My surfaces were like new. But if yours were pitted, put a thin THIN coat of the gasket sealant on both sides of the gasket then tighten the pipe (get all 3 bolts in first, then tighten in a criss cross pattern. Note All exhaust bolts should get loctite. All i had was red,so thats what i put on. Any loctite is better than nothing though!

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Here's a link to an article someone wrote on how they did theirs:

http://www.sea-doo.net/techarticles/techarticles.asp?page=april

 

[roberto188]

Also, when the inteior got filled with water, the starter got wet. The starter now sorta works. Sometimes i hit the ignition and it just makes a weird noise, other times it actually does turn the engine...all be not quite with he same power as it used to. Can I just take the starter apart, dry it and clean it and put it back, or do I need to get a whole new one?

 

[jmahlum]

it is also very possibly that your crank may be out of balance, I have had problems with bolts coming of the exhaust manifold in the past and it was due to vibration from the crank, I got the crank balanced and had no more problems. Also you could have a cracked water jacket in one or both of your cylinders witch will pour water into you engine when in water. I have seen that in other skis that I have worked on.