Thread: Hey Zurg

zurg I was just reading where you made mention of maintaining the use of your reverse bucket with an after market ride plate.

I'm just interested to know more about what is happening with yours.

when I bought my ski the owner said the reverse bucket didn't work properly - which it doesn't - and I have had no use for reverse - but have been unable to see anything wrong with it other than a lack of clearance as it comes down. the ski has a R&D intake grate, I don't know about the ride plate.

Cheers zurg, maybe my ride plate is stock, I'm sure its flat bottomed, although the grate is an R&D everything else is bog stock as far as I know. I only just had my pump bearings done - expensive little exercise.

Yeah it was ouch$$, and then had clogged water inlet to engine exhaust chamber which destroyed exhaust hoses, then the replacement silicon hose to the waterbox. Since then, touch wood (ouch), all is OK.

Still the extra pickup is nice to have. Gives me a good idea of what the racers go through in the high HP beasts.

Are blocked water pipes a common problem? just wondering if its something I should be looking into.

Possibly with the older model jet skis due to age/usage.
I'd fogged my engine when I did the pump damage as I knew it was going to be down for a while. When everything was fixed, its first run was on the the King of River race weekend in perth (Not racing, just ran it in the swan river). It ran OK for about 2-3 mins before the exhaust hoses failed. Front hose split, and the rear hose collapsed on itself creating lots of back pressure. The exhaust gases filled the hull. Choked the engine of O2 when reved. My first attempt to fix melted a replacement silicon hose for the front due to lack of water. Rear hose slightly deformed from the heat, but not enough to warrant replacement. Had to go looking for the blockage with the exhaust hoses off (and ear muffs on). Found water flowing everywhere except into the water chamber. I pulled the exhaust header and water chamber off becuase I was told the hole was only reachable from putting my hand down the water chamber with a pick to scratch the hole. I'm not flexible enough to get my hand/arm in from the front becuase of the hull/steering. Finally tried removing the brass fitting on the top of the exhaust water chamber, and I could see the hole directly below due to the outline of the hole showing in the sooty surface.

To check, when flushing out, make sure water is coming out of the rear exhaust. Can take 15-20 seconds running before any water is seen, and usually only drops and dribbles. Then All OK.

To fix, remove the brass fitting at the top of the exhaust water chamber (below the exhaust header pipe from the engine). No need to remove the header or exhaust chamber. Check to see if water flows out the hose to make sure this part is getting its water properly. The look into the exhaust chamber where the brass fitting. If you can't see into the chamber past the water jacket, use a drill bit (NOT DRILL), or nail or something to clean it out, then replace the brass fitting, connect the host, and check for water running out the back again.
Can't remember if was just locktite'd back in, or used plumbers tape, or some silastic. Think just locktite.
Joel (Bearded Shark) has fitted a tap to his 900cc ZXi, which is smaller version of our engines. Have a look at his project page for the pictures. The tap is to increase the heat in the exhaust to increase back pressure from the expaning exhaust gases and boost power (could be taken out my a..e there, but can't think of any other reason why it would boost power).

If thats OK, and water is coming out the outlet above the jet pump, and from the tell tale on the front right hand side, all should be OK.

The water flowing in the chamber cools the exhaust, and the water box muffler, and keeps the exhaust hoses from being destroyed. Silicon hose replacement for the front host works fine, but the bend in the rear hose to the exhaust outlet may require OEM hoses only. I believe the bend is to provide a high point to avoid water flowing back in from the exhaust. Slasher, Chook, Anyone confirm this?