Kawasaki 900stx - Oil In Hull?

[robster]

We have a 2000 Kawasaki 900 STX and always seem to get water in the hull, but lately it has alot of fresh looking oil mixed in with the water? Obviously there is oil leaking from the oil tank or an oil line, or ??? -- but haven't found it yet (we have not spilled any oil when filling the oil tank).

Have any of you had a similar problem? It really is a mess to clean up, the water in hull/bilge area looks like the "blueish" colored oil, since the oil floats on top of the water... any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - Oil In Hull?

be sure the pump isn't leaking or the bleeder screw isn't loose on the pump as well as the small oil lines to the engine from the pump,,, could be the tank is cracked or a filler tube clamp is loose or the vent line fell off

 

[robster]

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - Oil In Hull?

Thank you for the ideas... I'll check those areas you mentioned. I will have to figure out where the oil pump is located, and check for anything that looks loose, or is dripping oil.

It seems like we started getting more water in the hull after the Kawasaki dealer replaced the jet pump housing & prop a months ago...

Rob

 

[Rob454]

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - Oil In Hull?

The oil pump is located at the front of the motor. it sticks out. has 4 lines coming into it 3 small ones one bigger one. the bigger one goes to the oil tank the three smaller ones go to the intake area.
Sounds like the dealer messed up on the through hull seal for the driveshaft. Sometimes the seal breaks and it allows water in. Check the area where the driveshaft goes to the pump through the hull area. It may go through a a squarish fiberglassed in area behind the motor.
There is a seal there. You can fill the hull up with water and get under the ski and see where it leaks. dont fill the hull with water a couple of inches. jsut enough to go past the driveshaft. Also make sure the drain plug is sealed and doesnt have messed up threads. I usually put in a little blue windshield washer fluid to color up the water. makes it easier to spot the leak
Rob

 

[robster]

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - Oil In Hull?

Thanks for the details. Your description of the components was perfect. I found all the lines, tightened all the screws & hose clamps, checked everything and cleaned all the oily water out of the hull. I'm going to try to install a new battery, start it up and try to locate the leaks.

As far as the water getting in the hull, I found a suspect area on the port side of the engine where there is a "U" shaped elbow fitting about 4" round, with a similar sized rubber hose connected to it (exhaust manifold?) and there is an area of corrosion where the hose slips on, by the hose clamp. Since we live on salt water, that could be where the water is getting into the hull at high speed... hard to say W/O more trouble-shooting.

Thanks again,
Rob

 

[robster]

2000 Kawasaki 900stx - Water leak!!!

2000 Kawasaki 900stx - Water leak!!!

My original posting was for "Oil in Hull", now I see the actual problem is WATER LEAKING INTO THE HULL. It's a very steady stream of water; fills up the bilge area fast (the oil was floating on top of the water, hopefully thats not a problem anymore).

I just launched this (2000) Kawasaki 900 STX in the water yesterday, I had the seat cover off so I could see inside the hull. Water was coming into the hull at a fairly steady pace from the back of the ski. Both drain plugs were screwed in tight.

There is a rectangular fiberglass box toward the back of the ski, it has an electrical box mounted on top. Also has the driveshaft going through the front of it. The back of this box is open towards the back of the ski.

I think the leak is originating from this area. I tried to hold a mirror and flashlight to look into this box from the backside, and it looks like there is a hose with a couple of clamps on it, but how do you access this as the box is fiberglassed to the floor of the hull?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as this is a big leak!!

 

[Rob454]

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - Oil In Hull?

Yo9ur through hull seal for the driveshaft is ripped. PITA to do
Rob

 

[robster]

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - H2O In Hull?

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - H2O In Hull?

Bummer! I hope thats not the problem...
We paid lots of $$$ about a year ago for the Kawasaki dealer to replace the jet pump assembly (housing, prop, seals, etc). I think it's been slowly leaking ever since and has gotten much worse. Of course, after all that work, they only gave a 90 day warranty and that expired B4 I knew what was happening.

Can I remove the electrical box on top of the fiberglass box that houses this through hull seal, so I can see the connector, and hose clamps, etc? I don't know if there is an access hole under this electrical box?

Or does anyone know where to get a service manual for a 2000 Kawi 900 stx?
Thanks :redface:

 

[Rob454]

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - H2O In Hull?

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - H2O In Hull?

Bummer! I hope thats not the problem...
We paid lots of $$$ about a year ago for the Kawasaki dealer to replace the jet pump assembly (housing, prop, seals, etc). I think it's been slowly leaking ever since and has gotten much worse. Of course, after all that work, they only gave a 90 day warranty and that expired B4 I knew what was happening.

Can I remove the electrical box on top of the fiberglass box that houses this through hull seal, so I can see the connector, and hose clamps, etc? I don't know if there is an access hole under this electrical box?

Or does anyone know where to get a service manual for a 2000 Kawi 900 stx?
Thanks :redface:

Once you remove the electrical box there is access to the hull area. the fiberglass box is more for the mounting of the electrical box itself. its not really for hull strenght. For a service manual I only suggest getting the factory one. Thats what i use on my ski and it gives me info that the aftermarket ones either glance over or simply dont go in detail or jsut isnt in there
Rob
Rob

 

[robster]

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - WATER LEAK in Hull?

Re: Kawasaki 900stx - WATER LEAK in Hull?

Well, the water leaking into the hull is definitely coming through where the driveshaft goes through the hull (see photos).

I ordered the Kawasaki service manual (and supplement) for this 2000 Kawasaki 900stx.

Is there an easy way to replace this seal? Is it an O-ring seal? If anyone can give me some pointers on this repair it would great!