retrooper
Member
So...2023 RXTX 300 with 100 hours. I'm over 60 and not a daredevil. Ride like a ol'cruiser on James River in Virginia; tidal river. Launch behind house onto the Powhatan Creek that has some grassy or minor wood debris at times in the water. So, typical slow cruise down stream, then first speed run skim over shallows and ski acts sluggish. Grass/Debris in the intake? Do two IDF cycles per the manual. Get in water and hand sweep the intake; all clear. Ski is still sluggish and now starts to porpoise! I know what that means; she's taking on water. I end up beaching it into the marsh grass to save it from sinking. Tide goes out, return and pump out water and secure with anchor lines to arrange recovery. Next morning ski is floating! Tow to marina; trailer home. Clean up following submerged procedures; no water in engine. Minimal seepage in the air intake, supercharger; all dried and clean. Ski on trailer in marina; test start and water seeping through Carbon Seal at idle. (Wait; don't rush to judgment!) Back home. Order parts to replace Carbon Seal, including O-rings, new nuts, etc... for other related Jet Pump inspection procedures.
Yesterday, remove Jet Pump and the Impeller is still attached to the DRIVESHAFT; not the Jet Pump Unit main bearing! The Wear ring is scarred up alot. The impeller inside threads are 1/2 stripped/damaged and end of the main bearing threads are slightly corroded/ pitted (brackish water here) and the top threads have damage matching the impellor's internal damaged threads.
Theory/Analysis: Factory defective threads cause the Impeller to be only partially installed onto Jet Pump main bearing. Forward direction rotation; Impeller functions. IDF x 2 (REVERSE DIRECTION) unthreaded the impeller; going Forward Impeller tried to Re-Thread onto main Bearing, but Strips Internal jamming it inside the Jet Pump/Wear Ring area AND PUSHING THE DRIVELINE forward 13mm; reducing the Rubber CARBON SEAL/METAL 'HAT' SEAL tension that keeps water out of the ski. Ski now takes on water under power and BINGO; submarine time if you can't beach it quick or get back to the trailer Fast!
Oh....2 year warranty ended 6 weeks before the event! I have the skills to rebuild and fix the Jet Pump, etc... But many don't and this can be expensive.
Warning to Others: Even NEW ski's come with issues like loose clamps, extra manufacturing debris under the motor (lost washers, nuts, zip ties, etc...); but CHECKING main components like this can save you the loss of your whole ski. Flute? Probably. My history with Seadoos is over 20 years; so just Be Advised.
Cheers!
Yesterday, remove Jet Pump and the Impeller is still attached to the DRIVESHAFT; not the Jet Pump Unit main bearing! The Wear ring is scarred up alot. The impeller inside threads are 1/2 stripped/damaged and end of the main bearing threads are slightly corroded/ pitted (brackish water here) and the top threads have damage matching the impellor's internal damaged threads.
Theory/Analysis: Factory defective threads cause the Impeller to be only partially installed onto Jet Pump main bearing. Forward direction rotation; Impeller functions. IDF x 2 (REVERSE DIRECTION) unthreaded the impeller; going Forward Impeller tried to Re-Thread onto main Bearing, but Strips Internal jamming it inside the Jet Pump/Wear Ring area AND PUSHING THE DRIVELINE forward 13mm; reducing the Rubber CARBON SEAL/METAL 'HAT' SEAL tension that keeps water out of the ski. Ski now takes on water under power and BINGO; submarine time if you can't beach it quick or get back to the trailer Fast!
Oh....2 year warranty ended 6 weeks before the event! I have the skills to rebuild and fix the Jet Pump, etc... But many don't and this can be expensive.
Warning to Others: Even NEW ski's come with issues like loose clamps, extra manufacturing debris under the motor (lost washers, nuts, zip ties, etc...); but CHECKING main components like this can save you the loss of your whole ski. Flute? Probably. My history with Seadoos is over 20 years; so just Be Advised.
Cheers!
