Water in the Hull on 96 GTX

[ah64driver2002]

I was wondering if anyone can help me try to figure out where I might be taking on water in my 96 GTX. The hull is intact and I only seem to take on water when the ski is running. But I cannot physically see it where it is coming from while I am on the water. The pumps seem to suck it out while I am driving but not completely. I did notice water dripping from the pipe that goes from the engine to the muffler and I got it repaired. But the water is still getting in some how. I guess my big question is: is there a way to hook water up to the ski so I can run it and be able to look without fear of being ran over by a boat on the lake and find this leak. Thanks for any help on finding my water problem.

 

[JPX]

Might want to check the carbon ring. The water could be seeping underneath. The photo below is from an HX, but a similar configuration exists in the GTX if you remove the plastic cover with the wing nuts. This can only be tested in the water.



Water could also be pumping from the exhaust pipe if one of the cooling jacket caps is corroded (sounds like you already ran across that at some point). This can be checked out of water. Dry out the hull and run the engine with the flush water on - you'll see it fill if this is the problem.

 

[ah64driver2002]

carbon ring

The carbon ring is not the problem although I did discover that i am missing the clamp that secures the rubber boot to the carbon ring. The one thing that I did notice is that when I let off on the throttle there is water back flowing thru 2 lines that run to the black water pick ups in the bottom of the hull. is that normal or is there some check valve somewhere that should prevent water from flowing back thru the thing that is supposed to suck water out of the ski.