Need help troubleshooting cooling system

[SconnyRider]

I'm trying to troubleshoot my '96 900 zxi that overheats and just steams out the telltale.... I have disconnected all the lines going in and out of the pipe and can blow (with my mouth) through them and don't seem to have any restriction except that there is a much smaller (1/4"?) line that goes to the front and dead center of the engine. I can get air through this line going into the motor, but its restrictive? Should this be without any restriction at all? Could it be the cause of the overheat? I only doubt it because it seems strange that water would be fed into the front of the case, and at the same time a restriction here wouldn't seem to affect water coming out the telltale (water doesn't come out, only a bit of steam once it overheats, which I'm not gonna allow to happen again until I can get water out the telltale).

I appreciate any help! I have owners and service manuals ordered, but haven't gotten them yet and I was really hoping to be able to ride this new-to-me toy for the first time this weekend. Thanks again, in advance!

[1fastski.com]

Re: Need help troubleshooting cooling system

does it over heat on the flush ? if not check the jetpump for blockage

[snake133]

Re: Need help troubleshooting cooling system

I just got a 95 STS 750 and had a cooling issue, I sprayed break free in the tale tail and used air pressure to get into the cooling passages let is site for a few days. Took it out yesterday and engine ran good. Ran with seadoo that had a speedo and we both matched speeds around 50.

[SconnyRider]

Re: Need help troubleshooting cooling system

I don't have a flush kit yet to run this on the hose. I'm gonna bring it to the lake today and I'll see what happens but I'm a bit nervous because the line from the pump to the pisser seems just fine so I should at least be getting water out the pisser!

[SconnyRider]

Re: Need help troubleshooting cooling system

This ski was new to me and it turns out water wasn't flowing through the pipe. I took the topside off only to find out the two gaskets (one metal one rubber) were flipped so the holes didn't line up for the water to flow. This was supposed to be a new rebuild, guess they didn't check their work! I hope the engine isn't crapped as a result of overheating now. Well, I put it together (temp until I can get new gaskets) using silicone because the rear gasket got ripped up taking it apart but I had to try it out. Seemed to run good, prolly needs some carb work, but then after a couple of hours it started missing a bit. I pulled the plugs and the center plug is coated in cream - so its getting water in that hole. Could this be from the exhaust manifold leaking water into the exhaust port, or more likely a head gasket issue?

[d.ginther]

Re: Need help troubleshooting cooling system

You might be way overflowing the cooling system if you have no gasket in there. The restriction is in there for a reason... Water in combustion chamber is bad!

[SconnyRider]

Re: Need help troubleshooting cooling system

You might be way overflowing the cooling system if you have no gasket in there. The restriction is in there for a reason... Water in combustion chamber is bad!

Actually, the gasket and metal restrictor plate were fine and reused, the back gasket got ripped up during the removal. I reused the back gasket as well but it was mangled enough that I'm not confident it sealed properly. It happens that this gasket is directly over the center cylinder but could a leak there actually allow water to enter through the exhaust? No doubt I'll be putting all new gaskets in before running again, just wanted an opinion as to whether this gasket leaking COULD be the problem for water in the center cylinder, or if it were more likely to be a head gasket problem as a result of overheating?

[ss454trk]

Re: Need help troubleshooting cooling system

Thats kinda odd. the OEM "gaskets" are steel shim. aftermarket i got were composite, doesnt seem like a good place for a rubber gasket. maybe somebody made it... sounds like you just need to get the correct gaskets in there.