98 GTX taking on water

[3beers2many]

Well here it goes. After a 45 minute ride the other day I pulled the seat and found about 4" of water in the hull. The next day I went out again with the same result. So I pulled the seat to see If I could locate the leak. Once I his 30mph one of my bailer tubes started to spray a good size stream of water around the connection in the back of the boat where the tubes connect to fitting in the hull. I tried to fix the leak with a new zip tie but I couldn't seem to get it tight enough to stop the leak. Here are my questions:

1. Is it ok to use a hose clamp on these connections? I see that the factory used zip ties on the whole bailer system.

2. I'm not 100% clear on how the bailer system works other then a vacuum being created by negative pressure.. but wouldn't I have to have water in the hull before the bailer tubes had water in them? I other words I know the bailer system leaks but it seems like the water is entering another way.

On a side note the 90 degree elbows are zip tied up in the top back corner of the ski so I don't believe the bailers ar working in reverse.

When I was riding without the seat The only leak I could see was from the bailer system so at this point I'm at a loss. As far as I can tell water only enters when I'm on the move.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!
-Brit

 

[custompartsguy]

make sure the syphon tubes in the jet pump venturi are both there.
#18 in the link http://216.37.204.206/Shorts/Seadoo_...e=13&A=95&B=18

If one or both of these are missing, water will go into the hull instead of out while under way.

Also check your motor mounts, carbon ring and boot and the gaskets in the collar in front of the carbon ring.

 

[3beers2many]

Thanks for the reply!

The siphon tubes are still attached so it looks like I have a leak in another place as well. I will check the other places you listed to see what I can find. Thanks again. Should I expect some amount of leakage? I think if the bailer system was working properly It would be able to keep up without issues.

 

[custompartsguy]

you can also be taking on water from your exhaust

 

[ski-d00]

are you sure you checked the pitot tubes,(also called syphon tubes but they are not tubes but small plastic pipes) there are not inside the hull, they are in the pump.

the only way you will get water in the hull from the bailer system is if your syphon tubes are missing or not sealing. the 1998 model especially is notorious for them falling out, they used a terrible epoxy that year and it doesn't last, they fixed it in 99. look in the back of the pump, reach your hand in the nozzle and grab and wiggle them, if they are there, I bet they come right out.

the bailer system works very well and will keep the water out.

 

[3beers2many]

You sir are a genius! Hit the nail on the head... the right tube pulled out like it was ready to fall off. So now I need to reseal it, any suggestions on epoxy? Also should one tube hang farther out then the other? I have two; a black one (still sealed) and the white one that came out. If I push the white one back into place it sticks out about 1/4" farther then the other. Does this matter? or should they protrude out the same distance?

Thanks for your help!

 

[3beers2many]

Sorry custompartsguy... You told me the same thing, I should have tried to see if they pulled out. Credit to you as well, thanks for the great advice!

 

[ski-d00]

The white one is the original one, the black one somebody already replaced. They stick out the same distance as I recall, make sure all the old epoxy is out, use a flashlight, compressed air from inside the hull, and a long ice pick to carefully clean it out. The old white ones are usually pretty beat up and I just replace them, I always keep a nice supply of them(they're only a buck or two), replaced plenty on the 98s. Just use a high strength 5 minute 2 part epoxy made for multi surfaces including plastic and aluminum.

 

[3beers2many]

Just an update, both tubes have been resealed with epoxy. All is well except the leak is still spraying water at 30mph+. After closer inspection I found a pinhole sized leak in the sealant around the area where the bailers exit the hull. I'm going to attempt to reseal the area around the two tubes from inside the hull first. If that fails then it looks like I will need to pull the jet and reseal it. I picked up a tube of "Amazing Goop" marine sealant for the inside sealing attempt. Anyone know if this product is any good? Should I use something else instead?

 

[slowboatn]

I'm curious if yall are talking about those #18 tubes in the picture. ski-d00, you said originals were white? Mine are black. If this is what yall are talking about. Sorry for the hijack.

 

[ski-d00]

yes, that's what we are talking about. yours probably have been changed but most originals back then were white.

if you're getting spraying water and the tubes are sealed then it is spraying water from pumping out the water in the hull. if you have no water in the hull to pump out and it is spraying in from the outside, then it is not sealed somewhere, there are 2 small o-rings between the nozzle and the pump that must seal also, more o-rings between pump and the pump shoe. all must seal.

 

[slowboatn]

I was curious cause mine are black tubes. I don't have white ones. I don't really get alot of water in my hull. A little I think. I don't think it is to terrible. Thanks for the info.

 

[3beers2many]

Thanks SkiDoo, The water is coming from the outside in. Looks like one of the O rings is bad.

 

[stever]

Water leak

I was reading this thread on water leaks and I think I may have the same problem. I have one of those white tubes missig in the nozzle. So this will make one take on water? Can the siphon tube on that side be pinched off inside until I can get a new nozzle?
How does this cause a water leak? Is it because without the tube it cannot reach far enough into the pump stream to create a siphon? Without the tube does the water just go backwards into the hole?
Thanks

 

[ski-d00]

it can be pinched off but there is quite a bit of water force developed by the jet with incoming water so it may pop the hose off at the thru hull location, you could put a stainless clamp on it instead of the zip tie, never tried it really, I just replace the tube.