Seadoo XPL Driveshaft leak...

[HHS]

Good day guys,

Hope all is well with you all. The weekend I discovered a leak on my drive shaft of my Seadoo XPL 98 model. I read a lot of threads which all basically come down to the carbon ring. I pulled the pump out and removed the drive shaft, I did not see any cir-clips or O rings on the shaft or close to the ring. Can this be the problem to the leak or would it be the carbon seal itself?

The seal has very minor scratches on the inside, you can barely feel them with your finger and you have to look in reflective light to see them.

Before I order the new parts I would just like to find out if the O-rings and circlips can be the cause of the lek or should I just go ahead and replace the ring.

Thank you guys in advance!

Best regards,

Jacques

 

[Dr Honda]

The carbon seal leaks by design. So.... generally... of you don't have massive cavitation... you are seeing the normal leak.


Also.... if you have a lot of water in the belly... it could be the seal on the rear hatch.

 

[HHS]

I saw a lot of water streaming through the drive shaft where the seal is suppose to seal. I did tighten the clamp real well now, replaced the o-rings and modified the cir-clip so it sits tighter on the drive shaft. I will also now move the boot a little more forward for more pressure on the carbon ring and then go test it to see if it still leaks.

I also did read a lot about some syphon tubes and I am not sure what they are or where they release the water. I did see on the back of the pump on top is two openings that has been closed with silicon, is this where the low pressure release is from the syphon tubes?

Thanks so much!

 

[kicker]

Is the motor still installed in this ski, I am not sure how you got the driveshaft out without seeing the c clip or o oring, unless you pulled it out towards the front of the ski.

Here is what you will find. On the shaft is a groove where the circlip or O ring goes onto. This keeps the retaining ring carrier from sliding up the shaft.



Inside the retaining ring there will also be 2 o rings. If these are damaged water will come through there via the shaft.



Sometimes you can slide the rubber boot up and put a spacer in there to put more pressure on the ring carrier, to fix a cavitation issue.

 

[kicker]

double post

 

[kicker]

I saw a lot of water streaming through the drive shaft where the seal is suppose to seal. I did tighten the clamp real well now, replaced the o-rings and modified the cir-clip so it sits tighter on the drive shaft. I will also now move the boot a little more forward for more pressure on the carbon ring and then go test it to see if it still leaks.

I also did read a lot about some syphon tubes and I am not sure what they are or where they release the water. I did see on the back of the pump on top is two openings that has been closed with silicon, is this where the low pressure release is from the syphon tubes?

Thanks so much!

Those can not be plugged, that is your bilge drains. Is it possible that you have an electric bilge pump installed?

 

[HHS]

Thank you guys so much for the help. Yes sir I have an electric bilge pump installed. I found the cir clip in the belly of the ski. It sat rather loose so I crimped it a little for a tighter fit. Will it hurt if I do have a electric pump and open the two tubes again?

 

[Coastiejoe]

If you had the O-ring style retainer it is not uncommon for the O-ring to fail. Once it does you will get a substantial leak at the carbon seal.

If you had the metal C-clip, it will also leak if the clip fell off of the shaft.

They are cheap. By a new one or get a good used one from [MENTION=41828]Minnetonka4me[/MENTION].

It should fit tight. You should have to tap it onto your shaft.

 

[kicker]

Thank you guys so much for the help. Yes sir I have an electric bilge pump installed. I found the cir clip in the belly of the ski. It sat rather loose so I crimped it a little for a tighter fit. Will it hurt if I do have a electric pump and open the two tubes again?

I am guessing that the electric bilge pump was installed because the siphon tubes were gone and it was easier then replacing the venturi.
In the pictures you will see the siphon tube for your bilge siphons. This one has one of the tubes missing. If the tubes are not in there there will not be any siphon action, it will be reverse, the pressure from the jetpump will fill your ski with water.





If both tubes are in the venturi and you have both screen bailers installed (as in the picture) in the hull with the hoses hooked into the pump you can open them up. But I am thinking there was a reason that someone filled those holes. Also the tubes that connect the bailers to the pump has to be routed up towards the rear grab bar and then back down to the pump or water will siphon right into the hull when the ski is standing still.

 

[HHS]

Thank you very much. Both my screen bailers are installed and connected. However when the bilge is running the pipes of the bailers also suck up water. I will have a look and check if both tubes and let you know. I assembled everything back together and it looks good and tight. I however found two bolts that holds the bearing in place was loose so this could also may had a part in the leak. All is tight and ready to be tested. I will keep you guys updated and thank you very much for all the help! This is a great forum, and being from South Africa these people down here charge you a arm and a leg to look at ski's etc.

Thank you very much!

Jacques

 

[Minnetonka4me]

On the XPLs and HXs it is imperative to check all the bolts on the bearing carrier/housing. Many times the 4 bolts that hold it to the hull get loose, it will throw the alignment way off, and cause all sorts of failures in the driveline.