Water in the cylinders 96 SPX 700

[v65sabre84]

Hello folks,
I have a 96 SPX 700 Rotax seadoo. BROKEN I bought it this way but I was told it just stopped in the water and they never found out why. Ok bought a pig in a poke. So now I wanted to get it troubled shot before I actually shoot it my self.

It locked up with water in each cylinder. I pulled the pulgs dried out each cylinder and it turned over without the plugs in very good. Replaced the plugs locked up ... I checked for spark it it wanted to start under eather and cranking but lock up with water.

I pulled the head off and no water outside the cooling chambers but the pistions were soaked. How does water get into there?
I need as much input as I can get. I was a long time ago a Jaguar mechanic and I know my way around 12 cylinder 4 stroke engines but never worked on 2 stroke wet bikes like this, HELP please.

 

[Dr Honda]

If it died on the water... and it was towed back... the water would be forced into the cooling system, and will overfill the exhaust... and then fill the engine full of water.

If it's been sitting with (fresh) water in it for more than a day or two... it's going to be rotten, and need a full rebuild.

 

[Rotor13B]

Was water coming out when you cranked without the plugs in? I wouldn't expect the engine to last too long if the water has been in it for very long. Stranger things have happened but I wouldn't bank on it. The previous owner should've removed the plugs and cranked the engine over until it stopped spitting out water and then got the ski started and given it a vigorous ride to heat up the engine and steam off any remaining water. Good luck with your ski.

 

[v65sabre84]

Thanks guys for your input. I am an impatient kind of guy and when I get started I like to get things going as fast as possible. So, after posting this message to the forum yesterday I called a shop in my area. He gave me the same back round story as you all did.
I was suprised to see as much oil come out of this machine as water. In my opinion that would be a good thing as there wasn't any noise in the lower end as one would expect after sitting for a winter (very mild winter) in Oklahoma. I did pump out a great deal of oil /water mix onto the garage floor ( ole lady not to nice about that) she get over it after she cleans it up LOL ! Well, back to the fix.
I did get it pumped out and didn't have to get new plugs yet as I cleaned the old ones and it fired up. Smoked like a fogger truck in Jersey.
Just got it running a few seconds. It did take fuel and I shut it off. Got a few more questions about the darn airbox cover? It is a royal pain in the sit down to get snapped back on. I moved all the clips to their open position but it won't come down far enough to even get one clip to close?????? What the frick! I used a rubber end of my hammer to pry it down but still no joy. WHY !!!! ?????? I pushed the seal in the grove of the top lid as far as I think it should go but it didin't help.
Second ? ........ On the water lines coming from the head ... there is arrows showing water direction. the one pointing to the rear of the engine has a small water type plug in line , what its for?
Third ? ........... How does one drain the fuel tank? That stuff has been in th3ere a long time and it did start with it but I'd like to use fresh fuel , please advise. Or is there some additive to use that would help?
And the exhaust had water in it , I pulled it off and drained to the best of my ability most of the water out of it. Now from what I surmise the crankcase only uses oil from the oil mixture to lube the bottom end correct? With all tht water and mostly oil in the bottom end I can't tell it there was rust in there. Is there some thing I should do before I run this ski in the lake or just go try?

I know that is a lot of questions but this is the forum for that THANKS.
now floating alone.
Roger

 

[Rotor13B]

The exhaust is water cooled so it's normal to have water in the exhaust water box. As for the airbox, It's kinda trial and error to get it lined up right. I usually start at the bottom and just get it started to go on. then work from the sides while lifting the tabs and press it on a bit more. Then press on the top edge and push down and clamp. You might want to try a rubber safe lubricant to help with the install if it's being stubborn.

Even though you got it started with the old plugs in it I would still replace them as they could foul out easier and I seem to notice an improvement in power with fresh plugs. hth's