what is this in the pic? and, steering cable tube question

[segmentlime]

Apologies if the questions are noob.

My ski is a 96 SJ701. I am sorry that I do not know about it better than i do. Most of what I know about jet skis I have learned reading here, so all help is appreciated.



The picture is of the back right lower corner of the engine compartment. What is the thing with the large washer and wing nut bolted on there, and what is it for?

Also, the space under the tray seems to take on water with use and I have been trying to figure out where from, and if possible seal any candidates as best i can without cutting the tray open. The red steering cable goes into the tube just beside the thing I asked about above. At the other (jet) end where the cable exits the tray compartment far wall it is sealed with the standard gland fitting, but on the engine compartment end the tube seems open. I am wondering if maybe that tube is cracked in the tray compartment and maybe sometimes leaking water coming from the engine compartment. Would there be any concerns with trying to seal the engine compartment side of that tube opening by putting silicone all around the where the cable goes in?

 

[Quinc]

That is a freeze plug. Maybe a custom drain was installed at some point?

 

[Kohldanielzimmer]

Someone put in a scupper and used a rubber expansion fitting to seal it? Is there any signs of an opening (or former opening) on the back of the ski? That seems like more of a culprit for leaky foam than the steering cable tube leak theory

 

[segmentlime]

I have a more typical scupper tube running through the left hand side of the tray compartment (where most of them seem to be). You can see it in this pic:



This picture is from a post (what is likely source of leak) I made in 2020 in which I was asking about leaks into the tray area, and asking if anybody knew what that opening in the hull to the right of the impeller was. I never did figure it out and just taped it up with duct tape. Maybe this is the other end of some former drain and that freeze plug is the other? Just out of historical interest, does anyone know if such was ever a thing?

I am thinking I will stick an inspection camera in there and see what can be seen.

btw - again sorry for my ignorance but what term is used to refer to the rectangular space in the bottom of the hull where the pump impeller is secured at the top and the ride plate covers at the bottom?

 

[Sanoman]

One thing you can try that’s simple is put water in the engine compartment up a few inches and see where it comes out. That may help