Carbon Seal / Carrier Ring Fix (maybe)

[LouDoo]

Earlier in the season I towed another ski with my 96GTI, I'm thinking that I glazed the carrier ring, because right after towing the ski experienced cavitation. Anyway as a temporary fix I put a little valve lapping compound between the carbon seal and the carrier ring. I've used the ski four times since and so far so good, no slipping.

Originally I just planned this as a temporary fix and overhaul the drive line in the off season, but like Harry Truman said, "if it ain't broke don't fix it". What do you guys think?

Lou

Added: I have not noticed any significant wear on the carbon seal.

 

[Strizzo]

When looking for a 3 seater for the wife last year, I looked at a couple 96 Gtis that had a ton of hours on them. One, which had had a new motor "a couple years ago" which had like 110psi compression had apparently never had the carbon ring changed. The shoulder was worn down nearly as thin as the stainless ring with about a 1/4 inch left, but it didn't leak unless you pulled on the boot. As long as the seal doesn't leak and doesn't cavitate, keep running it till it doesn't.

 

[LKGrider]

I was riding a buddy of mines 96 GTI today and he was asking me about the way it was taking off. When you first hit the throttle to take off it feels/sounds like its slipping and half way through planning off it stops cavitating and takes off normal. I looked at the wear ring when we got back and it looked ok. Could this be a carbon ring issue?

 

[LouDoo]

Yes it could the carbon seal is the second place to look when you have cavitation. Something else you can do is put a couple of cable ties around the accordian boot, this will put extra pressure against the carrier ring.

Lou

 

[Dr Honda]

The compound has diamond dust in it... and it polished the mating surfaces. After a short ride... I'm sure it washed out. So... if it feels OK... keep riding.

 

[LKGrider]

I just went out and took a quick look at it. It appears that the surfaces are mating well and has decent pressure up against the carrier ring. I am going to try that zip tie the boot to see if that helps. Thanks for the tip LouDoo! Question I do have though is how much play should be on the carbon ring? Up and down or side to side play? Does that matter much as long as its mating evenly on the carrier?

 

[RebuiltSeadooBaffles]

I just went out and took a quick look at it. It appears that the surfaces are mating well and has decent pressure up against the carrier ring. I am going to try that zip tie the boot to see if that helps. Thanks for the tip LouDoo! Question I do have though is how much play should be on the carbon ring? Up and down or side to side play? Does that matter much as long as its mating evenly on the carrier?

Mine has up/down/side to side play on it and it does not leak, you do not want a lot of pressure on the carbon ring, just enough so it does not leak, if its not leaking right now then I would not apply more pressure. Lots of guys do the zip tie trick when it starts to leak.

 

[LKGrider]

Mine has up/down/side to side play on it and it does not leak, you do not want a lot of pressure on the carbon ring, just enough so it does not leak, if its not leaking right now then I would not apply more pressure. Lots of guys do the zip tie trick when it starts to leak.

Mine isn't really leaking water at least....Just get a few seconds of cavitaion when first taking off with hard throttle for less than 5 seconds. Think the zip tie trick may put enough pressure on it to keep from cavitating? the wear ring looks ok.