Help! 2007 STX-15F cracked exhaust pipe

jimbrown · 06-30-2009, 01:10 PM

I fired my jet ski up for the first time this spring. I noticed that water was coming into the engine compartment. I discovered that there was a crack about one inch long on the bottom side of the exhaust pipe where the water was coming out.

Is it likely that this crack was caused by improper winterization or was it something else? I'm wondering if it would be covered by my Good Times extended warranty.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Jim

puckoach · 07-01-2009, 11:05 AM

Need to be a little more precise in location, prior to getting valuable comments.

atomic475 · 07-17-2009, 12:17 AM

If this is the 4 inch rubber exaust in the back left side of ski that you are talking about, then I doubt you did anything wrong. On my 00 stx di, I went through 4 of them in 8 years with all my service done at the dealer and ALOT of warranty work done. so the dealer always saw my machine...I think it is a mfg/ski problem not u

jimbrown · 07-17-2009, 01:09 AM

Thanks. The "exhaust pipe" on my jet ski is cast aluminum I think, about 12-14 inches long, about 5 inches wide at it's widest end, and weighs about 5 pounds. Since posting this thread I have talked to a couple jet ski mechanics and they say they have seen this happen before and that I somehow winterized it wrong. It's got a long crack about 5 inches long. So long that I'm afraid to weld the crack.

~Ron~ · 07-19-2009, 08:20 PM

I have an 06 STX with the exact same problem, I'm going to see if someone local can weld the seam that opened up. Babbit's (sp) wants about $260 for the exhaust body and the two gaskets that I'd probably want to replace with it, let me know what you end up doing and I'll do likewise

jimbrown · 07-19-2009, 08:51 PM

I would have welded my crack also, but it is just too long. I dont want to take the chance that the weld wouldnt hold.

Unfortunately the exhaust pipe is on backorder so I have to wait until they get it in. I called all over the country to try to find one, so if you found one you are lucky. I think I called Babbits also and I think they said they have to get it from Kawasaki. I suspect that you will not get the part as fast as you think. My parts guy said they are projecting that mine will come in by the end of the month though.

Did you have much trouble getting the pipe out? Mine was a real pain. I couldnt get the muffler back far enough to get the exhaust pipe out easily. And the bottom bolt was difficult but I finally got it out.

BTW, I was told that the next time I winterize, I should run this pink antifreeze stuff through the system to prevent it from happening again. They said it is also good to prevent corrosion.

~Ron~ · 07-20-2009, 07:56 AM

Thanks for the info, did your welder tell you it was too long? Roughly how long was the crack?

jimbrown · 07-20-2009, 12:09 PM

No. The welder didnt look at it. The crack was about 6 or 7 inches long and went all the way to the narrow end of the pipe. I just felt that it wouldnt be worth it to go to all of that work and then possibly see the weld fail. If it failed while I was out on the lake it would be a big problem.

nascar522 · 07-21-2009, 06:44 AM

I also cracked my exhaust pipe on an 05 STX-15F. I blame myself for leaving water in the bottom without anti-freeze. Mine broke last year and this past winter I ran RV antifreeze through the system and didn't have that problem. I did however burn a hole in the 4 inch long hose coming out of the end of the pipe. I blame myself for that too. I don't think I had the pipe completely slid inside the tank on the other end leaving a gap between the two. This gap was covered by the hose. It apparently was too much heat for the hose to handle and it blew out. I am currently waiting for a new hose from Babbitt's. If anyone is still looking for an exhaust pipe I bought mine last year at BikeBandit. Just make sure you slide the exhaust pipe about an inch inside the pipe on the tank before putting the hose across the seam.
Good Luck......and you're right....it is a pain to replace the exhaust pipe!!!

jimbrown · 07-21-2009, 11:47 AM

Thanks for that. I could see myself doing the same thing but now I'll make sure that I wont leave the gap. I am still waiting on the exhaust pipe to come in. Its on backorder.

Did the hose break while you were out on the water? If so, I'll bet that was a problem.