HEY....you CAN sink a Jet Ski

[Freebird]

Maybe not completely, the nose was sticking out of the water.

 

We finally took the newly acquired jet skis out for a fun day on the lake. Well, it turned out to NOT be so much fun.

 

That was a week ago and tonight I got the engine back in and got it running fairly well again.

 

These Kawasaki 1100 SXT skis are two stroke. They have an expansion chamber on the exhaust that is cooled by a water jacket. If that water jacket happens to crack, it doesn't take all that long to fill the ski with water and it WILL go under at that point.

 

So, I ended up pulling the engine and flushing it out. Installed a new starter because the old one shorted out. Had the expansion chamber welded up. Replaced the outlet water hose on the expansion chamber that was completely plugged with sand from one end to the other. Had to be that we when we bought them because we didn't get far enough from the dock to get into any sand.

 

Turned it over with the plugs out to blow out the remaining water. Got it fired up but it was running a bit rough. Added a can of Seafoam and got it circulated through the system and it's finally running pretty good. I think it's going to be OK but won't know until we get it back on the water and run it a while.

 

I THINK that the plugged hose caused the expansion chamber to overheat and is probably what caused it to crack.

 

Jet Skis are SOOOOO very much fun. Can't wait to try it again.

 

100% chance of rain tomorrow so probably won't get a chance this weekend but who knows. Maybe Sunday will be better.

 

I know NOTHING about Jet Skis. This was the first time I've ever attempted to ride one and it was a very short ride. I'm learning a lot about them though.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Freebird

[etcswjoe]

Maybe not completely, the nose was sticking out of the water.

 

We finally took the newly acquired jet skis out for a fun day on the lake. Well, it turned out to NOT be so much fun.

 

That was a week ago and tonight I got the engine back in and got it running fairly well again.

 

These Kawasaki 1100 SXT skis are two stroke. They have an expansion chamber on the exhaust that is cooled by a water jacket. If that water jacket happens to crack, it doesn't take all that long to fill the ski with water and it WILL go under at that point.

 

So, I ended up pulling the engine and flushing it out. Installed a new starter because the old one shorted out. Had the expansion chamber welded up. Replaced the outlet water hose on the expansion chamber that was completely plugged with sand from one end to the other. Had to be that we when we bought them because we didn't get far enough from the dock to get into any sand.

 

Turned it over with the plugs out to blow out the remaining water. Got it fired up but it was running a bit rough. Added a can of Seafood and got it circulated through the system and it's finally running pretty good. I think it's going to be OK but won't know until we get it back on the water and run it a while.

 

I THINK that the plugged hose caused the expansion chamber to overheat and is probably what caused it to crack.

 

Jet Skis are SOOOOO very much fun. Can't wait to try it again.

 

100% chance of rain tomorrow so probably won't get a chance this weekend but who knows. Maybe Sunday will be better.

 

I know NOTHING about Jet Skis. This was the first time I've ever attempted to ride one and it was a very short ride. I'm learning a lot about them though.

 

What kind of Seafood did you add?

[M61A1MECH]

Added a can of Seafood and got it circulated through the system and it's finally running pretty good.

 

Is that what you use for water based motorcycles in stead of Seafoam?

[Freebird]

I now NOT of what you speak.

[cecdoo]

Awe man sorry to hear that, you mite want to check the other ski for the same clogged hose. They were probably ridden together into the same sandbar?? Hopefully not. Hope you get a chance to get them on the water Sunday and you have a Blast!! Can you use the flush adapter to make sure you are circulating water thru the engine and no leaks?

 

Craig

[Freebird]

Already checked the other one. No plugged hoses on it. Yes, I used the flush adapter when running it tonight. No leaks and the water is circulating as it should.

[dacheedah]

Jet ski and boats = a hole you throw money into, I have 2 boats and down to one jet ski

[Wrench]

Wow, sorry to hear that, definitely not a fun day, BUT, I'm going to beat cowpuc on this one,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.

IT'S USELESS WITHOUT PICS!!!!!

 

(Sorry boss, but it had to be said)

[cecdoo]

Well now ya know why you tether your vest to the ski! In case ya sink it, you can swim down and follow the tether to find it ;-)

 

Craig

[Flyinfool]

I have always been curious, why can you not ride a jet ski if it is raining. Because you might get wet? I had the same questions when my Ma said I could not go swimming until it stopped raining.

[Wrench]

I had the same questions when my Ma said I could not go swimming until it stopped raining.

 

Did she say "because I said so"?

[cecdoo]

I have always been curious, why can you not ride a jet ski if it is raining. Because you might get wet? I had the same questions when my Ma said I could not go swimming until it stopped raining.

 

Cause it stings like hell, no clearveiw shield and no fullface helmet!!

[MiCarl]

I THINK that the plugged hose caused the expansion chamber to overheat and is probably what caused it to crack.

 

I think it's more likely that it wasn't winterized properly and the water in the jacket froze and cracked it. That plugged hose didn't help it drain out any either.

[djh3]

Jet ski and boats = a hole you throw money into, I have 2 boats and down to one jet ski

Yea thats kind of how I feel about any watercraft. My memories of when my dad had a boat are, it on a trailer in backyard repairing bottom when he bought it. Taking it to get engine fixed, and him spending endless time waist deep changing cotter keys on the drive because one got sheared off. But some folks think motorcycles are a wasre of money and time also.

[dacheedah]

Well we are in flood right now and it has been raining since noon, i have had to wear waders to get out of the house. Jet jon is a must, wifes boat never been out of the garage this year. Seems like March.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[Sailor]

A friend had a couple jet skis. They rode into shallow water and they sucked up some pebbles and destroyed the impellers.

[dacheedah]

A friend had a couple jet skis. They rode into shallow water and they sucked up some pebbles and destroyed the impellers.

Yep, if you cant fix watercraft it gets expensive quick. Lets dont like sand or rocks. Sometimes you can clean up the impellers and shim them.

[Flyinfool]

Cause it stings like hell, no clearveiw shield and no fullface helmet!!

 

That actually makes sense and would be a good reason to not play in the rain. Still have not heard a good reason for not swimming in the rain other than "you will get wet if you are out in the rain"........

[billmac]

Two days and still no pictures. who made that rule anyway about pictures.

[Freebird]

If we HAD a camera with us, it would very likely be no good now.

[Flyinfool]

You obviously need a waterproof camera. You should know the rules by now, if there aint no pics, it didn't happen.

[uncledj]

Rode a jet ski once. It was down in the Florida Keys in the mid 80s. (One of the stand up ones) Went to get off of it and stepped on a sea urchin. (Barefoot) Spent the next hour digging 12 quills out of my foot. Kinda soured me on the whole experience.