1996 Kaw 900 ZXI Glass Problem

[Autotech]

OK guys I need some Help again. My Ski started taking on water last year and it didnt take long to figure out the Hull in front of the Jet intake was soft and spongy allowing water inside. From what I can gather this is a common problem with Kawasaki Ski's. I glassed it up ran fine for about 3 hours and started getting water in again- same problem I guess friction on the botton caused all my glass to peel off. I'am not a body man. So I Had a friend of mine who is came down filled it in with bondo and glassed back over with 6oz flox glass. four layers and repainted. Looked good when he left. ran it for 3 or 4 days and the same problem reoccured. So I guess my question is is this fixable or do I need to start look for another ski. Or is there somthing else I can try.

Thanks Bobby

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: 1996 Kaw 900 ZXI Glass Problem

very common problem but you can not fix it when the glass has moisture in it, it has to be totally void of any residual water in the fiberglass. I had the same problem once and found that I had to remove the battery and all fluids from the ski, then turn the ski upside down on foam blocks and let it dry with a heat gun once it was totally dry I used 36 grit to clean the area feathered 3/4 oz mat with some mek mixed in the resin to let it penetrate and hand tore all the mat to avoid edge lines put on 4 layers feathering it out layed wax paper on the wet resin and used a glass ribbed roller to work it under the wax paper,, when it dried I pulled the wax paper cleaned it with m e k and shot it with white gell coat,, it held up fine . due to my great dissapointment with the hull integrity of kawasaki I refuse to ever purchase another kaw,, that same ski hit a small piece of wood at about 30 mph and blew a hand size hole in the hull sinking the ski immediately, another time I was towing a tube and the back pulled off by the tow ring, I repaired the hull stronger than original and sold the ski. MINE was a 96 also.

 

[Autotech]

Re: 1996 Kaw 900 ZXI Glass Problem

Thanks Jeff guess I'll give it one more try.
Bobby

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: 1996 Kaw 900 ZXI Glass Problem

i think they had bad problems then

 

[simon_wilkins89]

Re: 1996 Kaw 900 ZXI Glass Problem

OK guys I need some Help again. My Ski started taking on water last year and it didnt take long to figure out the Hull in front of the Jet intake was soft and spongy allowing water inside. From what I can gather this is a common problem with Kawasaki Ski's. I glassed it up ran fine for about 3 hours and started getting water in again- same problem I guess friction on the botton caused all my glass to peel off. I'am not a body man. So I Had a friend of mine who is came down filled it in with bondo and glassed back over with 6oz flox glass. four layers and repainted. Looked good when he left. ran it for 3 or 4 days and the same problem reoccured. So I guess my question is is this fixable or do I need to start look for another ski. Or is there somthing else I can try.

Thanks Bobby

hi just after some advice i have just bought a 1100 zxi 1998 been out on it once and it ran fine.one thing i am worried about is when i run a hose through it to flush it out i noticed water squirting out from the exsaust inside the bike i cant actually see the hole as it is nealy underneath the exsaust i put my finger over it and it seems to be factory done not like a crack i am wondering if is supposed to be like that or something it supposed to be in the hole thanks

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: 1996 Kaw 900 ZXI Glass Problem

absoloutely N O T!!

 

[greg_bingham]

Re: 1996 Kaw 900 ZXI Glass Problem

yeah what he said.....

are you putting your hand on a nipple that should have a hose on it? check all the water hoses on the exhaust, there are 2 or 3 i cannot remember without looking at one....

the 1100's big log exhaust is prone to cracking, from loose bolts- take a look at all the hardware on there and make sure all the exhault bolts are tight. some may have broken.

greg