04 GTX 155 lack of power pulling a skier up

[blkrvrbart]

Hey all. Had a few days on the lake and had a lot of fun on the GTX but had trouble trying to pull a skier out of the water. Impeller and wear ring are brand new, runs great, no issues except on takeoff trying to pulll a skier. Maybe cavitation? Been reading other similar threads and was hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

 

[Greg Moore]

You'd have to tell us if it's cavitation, you're on it Shouldn't be though unless your carbon ring is pooched and the 155 doesn't really have enough 'suck' to pull air past one unless it's really bad. Likely just the nature of 155hp NA engine. Little soft out of the whole until you get a few RPM, outboards are no different. They rev much higher than a 2 stroke so usually are softer just off idle but then step into it mid RPM and up.

 

[blkrvrbart]

I’ve only had this machine a year and hadn’t tried to pull anyone on a slalom until now. We had the RPM’s and leaned forward on the machine, but it felt like cavitation. This winter I am replacing the pump housing, so when I get rolling on it, I’ll check everything else out. Put a wear ring and impeller on it right after I bought it, but when I had the pump housing off found a chipped fin. Decided to try it with the chip out of the fin before spending the $400+ for the housing. “Nope, never had trouble” was heard right before I spotted the wear ring and impeller damage. It’s never good to be lied to when you buy something, and when you think you figured out what they lied about, either walk away knowing that’s not all or take your chances. Took my chances. It’s a good machine aside from this little deal though. Thanks for your time. Good days on the water to you!

 

[blkrvrbart]

Update:
Replaced the chipped pump housing and had it in the water three weeks ago. Much better response out of the hole, seemed like a lot more power in mid throttle, took less throttle and less gas to cruise around for about three hours. Speed limit on the lake is 45, so top end is irrelevant most of the time. Too cold to ski, but I’ll have my son drag me around next time we’re out and let you know. Be safe out there!