Nice work and excellent explanation! So, is there a recommendation on how often to replace wires as a good practice? For example on old cars that also used spark plug wires (not coil on plug) they typically recommended replacement every couple years
These are different in that the coil pack is part of the wire. Your spark plug boots can go bad and if your wire gets cut it may need to be replaced otherwise look for corrosion especially from salt water in any of your connectors in that box. The age of the part is not so much a factor as its condition based on wear and corrosion.
Hey shady tree. I have a 1999 stx. I had a bad drive shaft bearing and got water in the hull. When changing the bearing out, I noticed one of the box fittings (for the number 3 cycinder was broke and water was in the ebox. The engine was still running fine, but I also notice the #3 spark plug wire was loose in the coil. Is caltronic a good replacement brand for the coil - that are only $12. Also should I spray down. The inside of the ebox with anything - CRC ? Anything to worry about about with the water intrusion - it was fresh water. Thank you.
You can buy new fitting to go on the ebox or you can silicone up the broken plastic fittings. Changing that bearing of course requires removal of the drive shaft, which means the engine has to be pulled to do it. I always used junkyard coils because I have one nearby. It is hard to replace the coils because you end up having to cut the wire as they are sealed really well to the part that goes through the ebox. I never used caltronix, so I dont know about them. Yes I sprayed WD 40 in my box after cleaning all the wire ends. Water Displacement formula 40 is what WD 40 is. It was used to spray under distributor caps on older cars to keep moisture out. Moisture buildup in those old cars would keep your car from starting.
@@ShadetreeJetski thanks. You’re the best. Bearing is already replaced. Just waiting on the coil to arrive to replace. I had a spare ebox fitting from one of my 750s. Any tricks to getting the new spark plug wire through the cap? Other than gease? lol.
@anthonydepinto4292 grease is it. Make sure your screw on end has good contact with the wire for the spark plug boot before you tywrap it so it cant pull loose.
@@ShadetreeJetski one last question, when I pulled the engine, I noticed a small hole directly under the engine. It was about 1/8 of an inch perfectly centered under the engine bed plate. When I pushed on the hull around it small bit of water popped up. Is that hole supposed to be there for drainage? There was some silicone over it, which I thought the previous owner must’ve just been sloppy. But when I scraped it off, that’s when I noticed the hole. Is it anything to worry about? Would that water log any foam like in a 550? I would send you a picture, but I can’t post pictures on TH-cam. Thanks again for all your help.
@anthonydepinto4292 No there isnt supposed to be a hole in the hull. You probably want to check the bottom of the hull for damage. Sounds like someone drilled a hole and filled it with silicone. A fiberglass resin repair is a better way to fix it.
Very knowledgeable, thanks for all your information. Will we tearing apart my jet ski I just got. 2 cylinders and 85 compression and the other one has zero. Revs fine out of water but under load seems like it’s bogging down.
Thanks. Yes you need rings and pistons most likely at the very least. Hopefully just a hole burned in the zero piston and no wall damage. Bad seals or lean fuel conditions ruin these pistons very fast. Best of luck on your build.
@@Jamesanderson33 Good. Do not try and just do a top end build. Make sure you put new crankshaft seals in and re-seal the case halves with sealant. An excellent source of information on testing your crank bearings is Ericksons machine and performance videos here on youtube. Ideally you pressure test your block for air leaks when you rebuild as well.
@@ShadetreeJetski second look I’m going to have to bore the walls then buy little bigger piston for that #1 cylinder. other 2 pistons seem fine but I might as well rebuild top end
This is the kind of issue that I lose sleep over. Stopping somewhere or shutting down to relax on the water for a minute and when you try to go home a stupid problem like this leaves you stranded with no hope of fixing it on location.
Hi Sir! I need help for 2001 Kawasaki stx900 no electric power in key switch, no display no starter button, i got ebox from Ebay working but still no power! Can you show me how can I check it and where i can start check it thanks!
Sounds like a power issue. You have to make sure 12 volts is going through the solenoid and you have a working switch that allows the 12 volts to go to the start button...the big orange switch can be bad.
@@ShadetreeJetski I got change orange switch too but still no power! I got bad main harness you think so? Or do you have another ways to help me check it please! Thanks!
Great. I am waiting on my jug and case to be done at the machine shop to finish the gp1300R build. I have a XL800 and a 1100 STX ready to go. Another XL800 is waiting on carb parts.
Polaris is known for bad electrical systems. I replaced the CDI box and it fixed mine that I bought from the junkyard. Over 300 bucks for the new part but it ran great and was a very good ski after that.
Nice work and excellent explanation! So, is there a recommendation on how often to replace wires as a good practice? For example on old cars that also used spark plug wires (not coil on plug) they typically recommended replacement every couple years
These are different in that the coil pack is part of the wire. Your spark plug boots can go bad and if your wire gets cut it may need to be replaced otherwise look for corrosion especially from salt water in any of your connectors in that box. The age of the part is not so much a factor as its condition based on wear and corrosion.
Hey shady tree. I have a 1999 stx. I had a bad drive shaft bearing and got water in the hull. When changing the bearing out, I noticed one of the box fittings (for the number 3 cycinder was broke and water was in the ebox. The engine was still running fine, but I also notice the #3 spark plug wire was loose in the coil. Is caltronic a good replacement brand for the coil - that are only $12. Also should I spray down. The inside of the ebox with anything - CRC ? Anything to worry about about with the water intrusion - it was fresh water. Thank you.
You can buy new fitting to go on the ebox or you can silicone up the broken plastic fittings. Changing that bearing of course requires removal of the drive shaft, which means the engine has to be pulled to do it.
I always used junkyard coils because I have one nearby. It is hard to replace the coils because you end up having to cut the wire as they are sealed really well to the part that goes through the ebox. I never used caltronix, so I dont know about them. Yes I sprayed WD 40 in my box after cleaning all the wire ends. Water Displacement formula 40 is what WD 40 is. It was used to spray under distributor caps on older cars to keep moisture out. Moisture buildup in those old cars would keep your car from starting.
@@ShadetreeJetski thanks. You’re the best. Bearing is already replaced. Just waiting on the coil to arrive to replace. I had a spare ebox fitting from one of my 750s. Any tricks to getting the new spark plug wire through the cap? Other than gease? lol.
@anthonydepinto4292 grease is it. Make sure your screw on end has good contact with the wire for the spark plug boot before you tywrap it so it cant pull loose.
@@ShadetreeJetski one last question, when I pulled the engine, I noticed a small hole directly under the engine. It was about 1/8 of an inch perfectly centered under the engine bed plate. When I pushed on the hull around it small bit of water popped up. Is that hole supposed to be there for drainage? There was some silicone over it, which I thought the previous owner must’ve just been sloppy. But when I scraped it off, that’s when I noticed the hole. Is it anything to worry about? Would that water log any foam like in a 550? I would send you a picture, but I can’t post pictures on TH-cam. Thanks again for all your help.
@anthonydepinto4292 No there isnt supposed to be a hole in the hull. You probably want to check the bottom of the hull for damage. Sounds like someone drilled a hole and filled it with silicone. A fiberglass resin repair is a better way to fix it.
Very knowledgeable, thanks for all your information. Will we tearing apart my jet ski I just got. 2 cylinders and 85 compression and the other one has zero. Revs fine out of water but under load seems like it’s bogging down.
Thanks. Yes you need rings and pistons most likely at the very least. Hopefully just a hole burned in the zero piston and no wall damage. Bad seals or lean fuel conditions ruin these pistons very fast. Best of luck on your build.
@@ShadetreeJetski just pulled off head, your right. Big hole in piston. Walls look decent
@@Jamesanderson33 Good. Do not try and just do a top end build. Make sure you put new crankshaft seals in and re-seal the case halves with sealant. An excellent source of information on testing your crank bearings is Ericksons machine and performance videos here on youtube. Ideally you pressure test your block for air leaks when you rebuild as well.
@@ShadetreeJetski second look I’m going to have to bore the walls then buy little bigger piston for that #1 cylinder. other 2 pistons seem fine but I might as well rebuild top end
@@Jamesanderson33 If you bore one you must bore all.
Ty
This is the kind of issue that I lose sleep over. Stopping somewhere or shutting down to relax on the water for a minute and when you try to go home a stupid problem like this leaves you stranded with no hope of fixing it on location.
Always have a tow rope, but remember you have to clamp the jet pump hose or you will flood your engine with water towing your jet ski.
That's a win.👍
Yes. I got off easy this time.
Hi Sir! I need help for 2001 Kawasaki stx900 no electric power in key switch, no display no starter button, i got ebox from Ebay working but still no power! Can you show me how can I check it and where i can start check it thanks!
Sounds like a power issue. You have to make sure 12 volts is going through the solenoid and you have a working switch that allows the 12 volts to go to the start button...the big orange switch can be bad.
@@ShadetreeJetski I got change orange switch too but still no power! I got bad main harness you think so? Or do you have another ways to help me check it please! Thanks!
How’s everything going my man !
Great. I am waiting on my jug and case to be done at the machine shop to finish the gp1300R build. I have a XL800 and a 1100 STX ready to go. Another XL800 is waiting on carb parts.
I wish I could pick your brain about a Polaris I’m having trouble with???
Polaris is known for bad electrical systems. I replaced the CDI box and it fixed mine that I bought from the junkyard. Over 300 bucks for the new part but it ran great and was a very good ski after that.