2005 STX 15F questions

KaWi150 · 12-01-2009, 03:54 AM

Hey everyone, I finally made the journey over to the 4 stroke world and I'm looking forward to it. I scored a decent deal on a 05' 15F with 97 hours on it and before spring rolls around, I wanted to get some stuff done to it. Does anyone recommend anything specific? I was thinking along the lines of a RPM kit from Riva and would like to stay on reliabilities' side. Also, any known sneaky tricks that this ski might have up its sleeve? I'm coming off of an Ultra 150 that took months to tame when it came to handling, etc... so bare with me! lol

kawiski · 12-01-2009, 05:01 PM

If you really want reliability, you should focus on typical maintenance items first before shopping for any go-fast parts especially if you bought an used a sketchy maintenance record. Here are some tips on 15F.
> Check/replace pump bearings and seals.
> Check/tighten ALL cooling hose clamps.
> Check/reseal the gasket underneath the dash meter.
> Check/clean/lubricate ISC stepper motor assembly.
> Check/adjust valve clearances.
Above are just a few known issues that might pop up on 15F.

puckoach · 12-02-2009, 11:27 AM

The bad news is the spark plugs are just as expensive as your Ultra 150. The good news is I'm still using my originals at 150 hours.

As a newbie to the Kawi 4 stroke threads

1.) Listen to Kawaski, he's the best we have here on pwctoday.

2.) You need to tell the readers the type of riding you are focused on. That will provide you with the best advice for modifications.

3.) The 05 has a few recalls. Be certain that they were completed. Fuel Vent in particular. Check Kawi site for details.

4.) Under this thread, there is a posting directing you to another thread. It's a few pages back, titled 12F 15F must read, especially for salt water veteran crafts.

tom21 · 12-08-2009, 11:31 AM

I see some really bad bearing failures. I strongly suggest pulling the pump and inspecting the bearings. it can cost you a motor if you don't.

KaWi150 · 12-08-2009, 01:02 PM

Kawaski, I made a note of your list as soon as you posted it and I will be checking some more stuff over the next couple of days. It doesn't seem to have any problems so far. I did run it on the hose for a few minutes to check the oil and I'm not too comfy with its color. Its rather dark, is that normal? I know that you can never get all of the oil out, but for a ski that just had its "100 hour service" its pretty dark and I might just change it for piece of mind.

I went over every single hose I could see and tightened down the clamps, more to come...

Pukcoach, thankfully my Ultra was a 2000 model and the plugs were regular price- I changed many so I'm glad! I did pull the plugs and those are definitely new and they are nice and clean. I ride in the lower NY harbor and off the coast of Coney Island/Sandy Hook which gets pretty rough sometimes. I had to add a Shredmaster ride plate, intake grate and sponsons just to stay hooked up and pointed in the right direction. I had to completely revamp my style of riding and I was still getting beat up! I still have the Ultra, but that one will only be coming out on river or wave jumping days. Should I be alright with a stock set up? Also, I'd like to...I don't know..."extended" my riding season and ride well into December.

I've never gone this far because of worries with water being left over in the cooling system and pipes busting on me. Would it be ok to ride for an hour or two and then running anti freeze through the system like I did after running it on the hose a few days ago? Its been hovering near or at freezing here the last few days.

Tom21, the bearing check is next!

Thanks for the help guys!

D-Ace · 12-08-2009, 02:50 PM

I would say to start where most Ultra 150 riders do with the Shredmaster ride plate for the 15F. As many have found and my brother too just setup with just a few mods 14/21 Solas prop, sponsons, Big Air we GPS it at 62.8 with 1/2 tank of gas. Add a Shredmaster ride plate with reverse bucket kit twice this fall we saw 66.3 mph on the Garmin GPS.
That’s 3.5 mph top end double the holeshot, turns real hard now and the nose rides flat no hop coming out of the turns like other ride plates. Check here http://shred-master.com/STX.htm

puckoach · 12-09-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaWi150

I ride in the lower NY harbor and off the coast of Coney Island/Sandy Hook which gets pretty rough sometimes. I had to add a Shredmaster ride plate, intake grate and sponsons just to stay hooked up and pointed in the right direction. I had to completely revamp my style of riding and I was still getting beat up! I still have the Ultra, but that one will only be coming out on river or wave jumping days. Should I be alright with a stock set up?

The 15F is not a chop cruiser. I don't think you can mod it into one either. Mine is stock except for a 2 degree wedge, installed upside down to get the nose up for jumping. A by-product was a 2-3mph increase. I like to drift/slide/spin, so I have resisted the ride plate. Although in waves over 10 feet, I wish I had one..... I do have Beach House sponsons I have never installed.

Quote:

Also, I'd like to...I don't know..."extended" my riding season and ride well into December.

I've never gone this far because of worries with water being left over in the cooling system and pipes busting on me. Would it be ok to ride for an hour or two and then running anti freeze through the system like I did after running it on the hose a few days ago? Its been hovering near or at freezing here the last few days.

I'm out due to hockey now. But, I have ridden until first week of December, and started first week of March.

A sump pump in a bucket full of anti-freeze will do the trick. $3 a gallon at wallys. Tip nose up as high as possible to bump it all out. Add stabil when you fill up after riding.

notworthy

puckoach

kawiski · 12-09-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaWi150

I did run it on the hose for a few minutes to check the oil and I'm not too comfy with its color. Its rather dark, is that normal? I know that you can never get all of the oil out, but for a ski that just had its "100 hour service" its pretty dark and I might just change it for piece of mind

> If you are in doubt whether to change oil or not, just do it. Oil is the blood of your engine. Fresh/new oil shouldn't look dark at all, shoud look more like honey color. Replace filter when doing oil change.

> The best way to get most oil out of the engine is to, lower the front of the trailer that ski sits on as much as possible, warm up the engine, and suck out using the hand pump from WestMarine or Harbor Freight.

R5WaterXRacing · 12-13-2009, 08:45 PM

Kawi150I have what you need bro..Shout at me..as I still have some parts left over and can unlock that 15f for you! Ive got some tricks. I wont post them here! Still use themfor our team and such! My cell is 214-498-3592 or email me at r5wxflyinbrian@hotmail.com

And yes you can make it into a chop or wave handling ski. With theright handling set up you would be amazed

s10parts4u · 02-06-2010, 05:05 PM

STX - LCD dash panel -p/n 25031- 3754 money back guaranteed by me personally and in excellent cond. panel has almost no fade and all the buttons work and are clean and watertite.
i can say it is NOT the proper panel for my STX 1100 but i had to make the deal for it -site unseen.. think its the newer 12F -type. i need a yellow 4 wire connector.

i can tell you more by what wires / sockets it has- so this has:
-1 blue 4 wire - female (powers up thru this)RED solid, RED w/ blu stripe, RED w/ yel, BLK
-1 clear 6 pin but uses 5 wire -male WHT w/ red strp,GRN w/ red strp, YEL w blu strp,GRAY solid, BLU w/ blk strp
-1 blue 2 wire male (fuel or oil level sender)RED w/ blk strp, BLK w/ yel strp

someone please take this never-ending reminder of how much $ i have spent, & I still can't see how much fuel i have...

in bubble wrap and a sturdy box shipped to your door -$275-

-bill just call 973 409 7219 - other than looking at jet skiing stuff i hate the internet.