2005 Sportster LE DI - rope tangled worse than other posts ive seen - bad luck for me

[Broken_Sportster]

So i buy a Sportster the other day, 2nd time on the lake, i suck up the tubing rope. I didnt back over it, just while sitting with the engine off, the current sent the rope under the boat towards the intake. I see this, pull it out, and then start the engine; apprently it worked its way back very fast because it got sucked in. I didnt realize it and didnt think it was a rope (seeing as how i had just moved it) and it sucked up into the intake. The boat chokes for a couple seconds and dies. I check my fuel gage and 2 cycle oil tank and both are fine. I start back up, chokes for a couple seconds and dies again.

After this, i look at the rope and see its under the boat. I swim under the boat, and the rope is wedged between the hull and the intake grate (both ends of the rope are wedged and a lot of rope has gone up into the intake.) So, now the engine wont start so i start oaring my way back to the ramp with the help of a buddy until we finally can flag someone down for a tow.

We get the boat out, back home, and take a look. There is about 25 feet of rope wrapped around the driveshaft starting about 4-6 inches from the engine compartment, all the way to the impeller ring. (i guess there was a little luck that none had hit the impellar.)

So, i start cutting all i can get through the grate, and this rope is REALLY stuck up in there. I take off the impellar grate and pop a dang bolt head (one of the long forward ones... i was unaware there were lock nuts on the inside of the engine compartment.)

Well, i got the intake grate off but there is still a bolt sticking about half an inch out of the bottom of the hull. I cut away as much rope as i can... probably about 24.75 feet of the 25 feet of rope tangled up, but i cant get a little piece that seems stuck up under the impeller ring. I assume this means i will have to take out the entire propulsion system.


So to my questions.....

Is there any nice step by step guide on how to take out the propulsion system, starting from the VERY begining and VERY detailed? I am somewhat mechanically inclined and i am an engineer so i love detail. (or, preferably, is there a way to get that last bit of rope out without removing more? i have tried cutting with a small as a paring knife and tried pulling at little bits with a pair of needle nose vice grips.)

Question #2 - Where inside the engine compartment is the lock nut located for the forward bolts for the impellar grate. The more detailed the better, pictures if you have them would be even better.


Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I am really upset that my new toy is broken (especially at the end of the boating season.) PLEASE HELP!!


THANKS ahead of time

 

[Broken_Sportster]

I really could use some help.

This link is to a propulsion diagram of my 2005 Sportster LE
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/seadooforums/Seadoo_oem/Seadoo_JB.asp?Type=13&A=111&B=13

I took some pictures. From what i can tell, rope is caught between the driveshaft and the "Impeller Boot". The "Impeller Ring" is sitting loose on the driveshaft currently but does not appear to be damaged. I am unable to cut out the last bit of rope with a paring knife. I also tried to grab at it with a pair of needle nose vice grips but couldnt get under it well enough to remove any more than a couple strings.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to remove the rest of that rope without removing the entire aft end of the propulsion assembly? Or if the removing it is the only option, does anyone have an EXTREMELY detailed method on how to do it? (every single bolt count/washer count, where to loctite/remove loctite, red or blue loctite, where to silicone seal, what type of silicone seal?.)

As for the remaining twisted up Driveshaft Protector, (only part external to the hull) i plan to cut that with a nylon string (similar how to cut PVC) assuming that will work on this type of plastic.

I know I am asking for a lot but i really feel helpless here.

I posted a picture of the engine just at the hope that someone will point out where under it is the lock nut for the intake grate and how i could access that without removing the engine?


Thanks for any help i receive!

 

[don't sink]

This is one time I bet you wish you had a prop driven boat!! Unfortunately we are all on "the list" for this happening to us! Good luck I hope you find an easier method.:ack: