SRX Head Issue

4

4strokesmoke

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Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
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Age
43
Location
Buffalo NY
I was doing some pre snow work on my 01 SRX and wile changing the MAG side exhaust doughnut I saw a drop of antifreeze on the exhaust flange. I quickly pulled the plug and noticed the piston was shiny and the plug was wet. The sled haven't been run since last season with no issues so maybe a head gasket let go at the end of the year before it burned down? any thing to check wile I'm in there? Hopeful I got luckily and just need to replace a few o rings and gaskets.
Anyone ever just have a head gasket go bad with out hurting the motor?
 

Well finally got into the motor and I believe its the impeller shaft seal now. So its time to remove the engine and clean things up underneath.
 
How did you come to that conclusion ?
I may have that issue as well, as I had one cylinder that appeared to be burning coolant (piston was clean), even after I replaced head gaskets.
 
4strokesmoke said:
Well finally got into the motor and I believe its the impeller shaft seal now. So its time to remove the engine and clean things up underneath.
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99% of the time it is the rubber coated washer that holds the impeller on.
Very rare for the mechanical seal to leak.
 
MURDER YAMAHA said:
How did you come to that conclusion ?
I may have that issue as well, as I had one cylinder that appeared to be burning coolant (piston was clean), even after I replaced head gaskets.
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Well their was no rips or tears on the head gaskets and a base gasket wouldn't fail like that. After reading some threads the water pump sounds like a sound reason for the coolant. I'm gonna pull the motor and replace the water pump seals and gaskets for Pease of mind. Heck I may just do pistons and rings wile I'm in there too. The sled has 4 k miles and its cheap insurance unless someone talks me out of it...
 
had some time to pull the motor and further inspection the mechanical seal spring and seal had failed and was letting coolant in. after a quick rebuild she's gonna be back together!
 
Im having a similar issue, new head o rings last season fine all winter first start of this year antifreeze coming out of exaust. Could it really be a waterpump issue filling exaust with antifreeze?
 
Triple tippin said:
Im having a similar issue, new head o rings last season fine all winter first start of this year antifreeze coming out of exaust. Could it really be a waterpump issue filling exaust with antifreeze?
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No, nothing to do with water pump.
Is there coolant just coming out upon start up or does it do it continually while running?
 
At first start was a burst of antifreeze maybe a half a quart then a fairly steady mist while idling, last year was first time i had it out in 5 years and did same thing so changed head o rings figured it was from sitting so long and was good all season. Thinking maybe warped head or because i used aftermarket o rings but it was fine all last season. Appreciate any help or suggestions!
 
Triple tippin said:
At first start was a burst of antifreeze maybe a half a quart then a fairly steady mist while idling, last year was first time i had it out in 5 years and did same thing so changed head o rings figured it was from sitting so long and was good all season. Thinking maybe warped head or because i used aftermarket o rings but it was fine all last season. Appreciate any help or suggestions!
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I'd take a look at the head sealing area again. It sounds like its leaking into the engine while sitting.
 
So pulled the heads today but before i started the tear down i started it and got it up to temp was still burning a bit of coolant upon shutting it down i could hear it bubbling in coolers under the footwells guessing it had air in the system but i also noticed bits of black floating in the expansion tank, carbon? Head o rings look to be intact and pistons had a good carbon buildup but 2 of the plugs looked to be washed a bit. Any ideas what to look into next?
 
Triple tippin said:
Clutch side, did the impeller seal fix your issue? I dont see any issues with the head o rings or the sealing surface.
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Yours should not be a water pump issue due to it being on the MAG side apparently I'm one of the few this happens to... Id get some OEM head O-Rings and run a flat edge across your head to see if its warped..
 
Checked the head seems good, but was definitely questioning the aftermarket o rings so gonna try oem and see what happens. Thanks for the reply!
4strokesmoke said:
Yours should not be a water pump issue due to it being on the MAG side apparently I'm one of the few this happens to... Id get some OEM head O-Rings and run a flat edge across your head to see if its warped..
Click to expand...
Checked the head seems good, but was definitely questioning the aftermarket o rings so gonna try oem and see what happens. Thanks for the reply!
 
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