Engine draining

[Rusty75459]

OK, I am a seadoo newbie & may have already messed up....

I tested & purchased a 1998 GTX Limited a week & a half ago. It is parked in my carport in north Texas. Since I purchased the ski, we have had several days & nights of below freezing weather; unusual for us but it does happen. Tonight it is about 19 degrees...

After riding the ski all I did was drop the drain plugs in the rear of the hull; nothing more...

I downloaded the shop manual & printed parts of it today. Section 2, Subsection 5 says that "Water in engine drain hose must be free to flow out, otherwise water could be trapped in engine. Should water freeze in engine, severe damage will occur. Check engine hose for obstructions."

What are the chances that I have already damaged my ski?

Signed....Learning as I Go

 

[Dr Honda]

If you have water in the engine... and it got down to 19 deg... then there is a high probability that you split the engine open. If it's going to get below freezing, then you need to drain the water, or add anti-freeze.

Look around your engine and look for this...

 

[Rusty75459]

Well heck......

 

[Rusty75459]

It's probably too late, but I'm going to go take a look...

 

[Rusty75459]

No sign of cracks.

How do I add antifreeze?

 

[Rusty75459]

OK, I found the water supply hose on the cylinder head of the 947 engine; the clamp was already loose. I'm not sure if the seller had winterized or what but I wasn't able to get the hose off the fitting (nor did I have a section of 1/2" heater hose). I backed up to the "T" & disconnected it there.

There is a good chance the water in the head is frozen because no antifreeze ever traveled down the line.

Hopefully there has been no irrepairable damage...

 

[Dr Honda]

If you took it out for a ride... then it wouldn't matter if the last owner put in anti-freeze, since the ride would have purged it out.

Right now... since it's cold... I would put a heating pad in the engine compartment. Or... you can even use a shop "Drop light". Either one will put out enough heat to keep the engine from freezing.

If there is damage to the engine... it is reparable, so don't worry too much. Even if you can't see a crack... you will find it as soon as you take it out for it's first ride. The water pressure in the cooling system will find the craks, and spray out.

 

[Dr Honda]

If it's frozen already... then you need to thaw it out before you can get the anti-freeze in. The heating pad will thaw it in a couple hours... depending how cold it is outside.

Normally, I put it in the flush hose. Just hook a hose with a small funnel, and pour a little in.

 

[Rusty75459]

Thanks, Doc. It was actually 9 deg when I left for work. I'll get a pad on it tonight and we'll see how it goes.

On a positive note - the new Poppy cover looks damn nice!