99 XP Water Regulator Question.

[drewlox]

Hi,

First post here guys, have been reading up lots on the cooling system for my 99xp and seems im missing a spring in the water regulator.

My guess would be that this is the cause of my overheating ?!

Just wondering if by any chance someone might know what the springs compression value is ? Ive got a bunch of springs but dont want to just throw any one in there.....

This is all the info i can get when researching the spring "RESSORT 44MM *SPRING-44MM 274000382"

Thanks in advance for any help....

 

[JJinSC]

Yeah, that spring is specifically calibrated for proper compression and it the right one is not put back in you could end up melting exhaust hoses. I don't know if the compression information is available anywhere. Maybe some of the more experienced guys will chime in. I would recommend buying an OEM part to replace it.

 

[donkey]

u might pm minnetonka for a used one,

 

[drewlox]

Cool, thanks JJ, thanks donkey, ill probably just order from marina, have a few other parts to order while im at it...

Am I on the right track in thinking this would be my overheating issue ?

 

[donkey]

um,does the engine overheat?or the exhaust?
does the cooling system indicator squirt water while its running?
have u blown thru the water lines and fittings?the lines can plug and the elbows can get crud stuck in them,

 

[drewlox]

Its the exhaust, to the point where its melting the flotation foam. Yes the CSI is squirting water, have to blow through the lines still, im hoping all that the problem is is the missing spring in the regulator ?

 

[donkey]

oh ya! i sank my 98 xp 5 times till i got the cooling system working correctly.mine did not even have the regulator at all.
check the elbows too.i had one plug up after i put the regulator on.
i didnt ask this before,but how long have you had the ski?
also,make sure the "coupler" hoses havnt burned thru.mine did.also the outlet pipe.

 

[drewlox]

I've had it for a month, trying to get it running nicely. I've replaced the rubber exhaust couplers already. The last ones were dried up and leaking. I'm hoping its just the missing spring but i'm still going to check the water lines for the exhaust. Can't believe you sunk it 5 times lol.

 

[donkey]

yep,the first few trips really sucked till i got the exhaust cooling system workin. good since then.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Yes, without that spring it's not working right:

The water regulator does two things. (well, one, but there are 2 things running off that hose).

1. it pushes an amount of water into the muffler at all RPMS based upon the hole in the jetting at the base of it. This is not variable, and I suggest you leave it alone.

2. it pushes a VARIABLE amount of water into the PIPE based upon exhaust pressure. It's reverse of what you might expect: LOW RPMs it pushes water into the pipe to cool it, and the air, which changes the sonic wave of back pressure for the two stroke. at HIGH RPMs it uses the pressure from the exhaust (muffler) to CLOSE the water going to the PIPE.

If yours is malfunctioning, you could be running the pipe completely dry, which would explain the heat melting the foam. You may also lose some lower RPM power or punch.

I suggest buying a good used one, MiniTonka will hook you up. (not sure I spelled his name right).

I run my 951 water regulators with the red cap approx 1 turn OUT from flush. The further out it is, the lower the RPMs will be when it dries out the pipe. You can experiment with it, but I suggest keeping it within 1 turn from flush (in or out).

I also replaced most of the black rubber hoses on mine with clearer blue hoses (wish I'd just done clear) so I can actually SEE what's going on as well. Great peace of mind to see water moving through them

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Yes, without that spring it's not working right:

The water regulator does two things. (well, one, but there are 2 things running off that hose).

1. it pushes an amount of water into the muffler at all RPMS based upon the hole in the jetting at the base of it. This is not variable, and I suggest you leave it alone.

2. it pushes a VARIABLE amount of water into the PIPE based upon exhaust pressure. It's reverse of what you might expect: LOW RPMs it pushes water into the pipe to cool it, and the air, which changes the sonic wave of back pressure for the two stroke. at HIGH RPMs it uses the pressure from the exhaust (muffler) to CLOSE the water going to the PIPE.

If yours is malfunctioning, you could be running the pipe completely dry, which would explain the heat melting the foam. You may also lose some lower RPM power or punch.

I suggest buying a good used one, MiniTonka will hook you up. (not sure I spelled his name right).

I run my 951 water regulators with the red cap approx 1 turn OUT from flush. The further out it is, the lower the RPMs will be when it dries out the pipe. You can experiment with it, but I suggest keeping it within 1 turn from flush (in or out).

I also replaced most of the black rubber hoses on mine with clearer blue hoses (wish I'd just done clear) so I can actually SEE what's going on as well. Great peace of mind to see water moving through them

i've been thinking of doing that but a cursory read on the subject pointed me to that they might break down faster, etc, but i agree, it wold be nice to see it actually flowing and i'm assuming the ski will break down faster than the hoses anyway ...

 

[drewlox]

Thanks for the greatly helpful info sabr, ive ordered the spring, among other parts, new vts and speed sensor. FML.

Ill post back once i get her out on the water and see if that was my only problem.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

speed sensor is fairly easy. VTS, unless you have the tool you will remove the jet pump, it's not that bad.
I have a 02 XP. so I know it fairly well. I also have had at least 5 951 skis. in fact, that's the only ski I buy.

does yours have the electric bilge pump as well? does it work?

 

[drewlox]

ya speed sensor looks easy, vts might be able to do it without taking off jet, i hope so, need a deep socket to get in the back. yes it has electric bilge, and yes it works NOW..... after i cleaned all the 13 years of crap build up in the filter. wasnt working first time i went out.. but works great now ! ya this is my first ski, but i love it, i know it was the right choice...

 

[drewlox]

Problem Solved ! Thanks for everyone's help, problem was the spring missing in the water regulator, spring is now in, exhaust is now getting cooled properly and i have full power back !

Thanks again guys !

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I do what I can, but it's mostly management

 

[1moomba]

I have a question about the Water Regulator Valve on a 1997 GTX. There is a black plastic cartridge looking piece under the bellow. This piece is supposed to be fixed in place (doesn't come off with bellow) correct? Mine was the same as all the others, the metal spring clip that attaches the bellows to this black plastic cartridge was rusted, the bellows calibration spring was broken. I kept trying to figure out how water was getting to the spring clip to rust it out. Well I beleive that this black plastic cartridge should be glued/sealed in place. That is why the service manual says to gently pull up on bellow and remove spring clip to remove the bellows. If it wasn't sealed water can go around it and leak through atmosphere hole in bottom of plastic valve body and also contribute to the rusting. Could someone who either has one in hand or knowledge of the true position of this plastic piece please confirm this.