Water issues

[Bulldawg1130]

I have a 99 GTX RFI and with the unit out of the water and hooked up to the garden hose the unit discharges the visual water stream out of the rear as it should but when in the water not hooked up to the garden hose it does not discharge the water stream. What could the problem be and what should I check

 

[etemplet]

If the ski is idling in the water you might not see much of a stream comiing out the rear of the ski. That is if I you are referring to what is commonly called the pisser. If you disconnect that hose from the top of the pipe you should be able to blow air through it. It can become partially plugged or fully plugged and since it is a "tattle tale" it really doesn't matter if it is pissing or not they engine could still be cooling just fine. It is good to have them working though. I find the plugging of that hose more a problem on the skis that discharge out of the front. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

 

[Bulldawg1130]

Yes it's the pisser. I can't see it at full RPM but and zip at idle. However with the garden hose it pisses excellent. That's my curiosity why on the hose and not in the water. Could it be stopped up somewhere else and I thought if not pissing I could over heat the exhaust manifold.????

 

[etemplet]

Remember that your garden hose is putting out 40+ pounds of pressure and the water is coming into the system in REVERSE. There are orifices inside the cooling system that restrict flow so that will cause a pressure build up. As an aside, I have my concerns about how much water we should put into the system when back flushing the engine. Probably all that is needed is enough to establish flow.

You can see the pisser working on your ski at RPM you just have to hold on with one hand and lean back. For a short guy like me it isn't easy. The pisser is proportional to engine/pump RPM. Always good to make sure it is clear. If you see water flowing when flushing that is a good thing.

 

[etemplet]

A good check for the engine and your cooling system is to ride with the seat off and check the temperatures. I find I can touch every part of the engine and exhaust manifold. The bases of the cylinders are warmer than the rest of the parts. It's just a check for me, especially when I'm breaking in an engine. I have a $30 laser thermometer but I don't often think about it.

If you want to check your engine cooling system, check for a difference in temperatures. As per your description your situtation is what I encounter on all the skis I've worked on. Paying attention to what is going on with the ski is so important in keeping them healthy. Good Job !!

On a side note, when my wife and I go riding I just ask her if water is coming out the back of the ski. If I say pisser she won't get my meaning.

 

[mikidymac]

Also keep in mind that the jet pump isn't in the equation when running on the hose. Low coolant flow in the water can be caused by blocked pump feed holes, a bad o-ring seal between the pump and hull plate and too much wear ring to impeller clearance.

 

[Bulldawg1130]

Guess I will have to learn how to work on skis now I have read the service manual I was able to get from Sea-Doo manuals.net and sadly it wasn't very helpful. All of the diagrams are lacking just enough details to leave me scratching my head and I have been reading blueprints for 30yrs. Thanks for letting me know that the water hose is a reverse flow so now I only have to check one side of the loop. Is the best way to check for flow to blow air through the system loop from the intake connection.

 

[etemplet]

I think the best way is to take the ski out and ride it. Remember that blowing air is HIGH pressure. Sounds to me like you are A OK but checking is always good.

 

[Bulldawg1130]

I think the best way is to take the ski out and ride it. Remember that blowing air is HIGH pressure. Sounds to me like you are A OK but checking is always good.

Just wanted to thank you for the advice. I put the ski in the water yesterday had the wife on back to verify it was pissing and it was, just as you described. Hopefully we will enjoy it this summer.