Carbon Seal Movement?

[ace422]

How much movement is normal? Was out this past weekend and had a strange rattle and some cavitation. After checking things out I found I had a lot of wiggle room in the carbon seal and the boot. I was able to easily move it and even push it back a bit. I did not have any water leaking in though.
I've since added the tie wrap behind the boot and pumped grease into the PTO. I cant push it back as easy now but there is still significant play between the stainless ring and carbon seal.

 

[mikidymac]

It is a "floating ring" setup so it will move and wiggle, it is only the pressure of the boot keeping them in contact, nothing else.

The ziptie trick is only a bandaid for a leaking seal to get you through the weekend. If it isn't leaking I wouldn't use the ziptie.

 

[ace422]

Not leaking water but i did have cavitation. With the ampunt of play it had im figuring this is the reason for the cavitation. A visual check from the intake grate looks like the wear ring is fine.

 

[mikidymac]

I would give it a try and if the cavitation is gone then plan on a carbon seal rebuild in your near future.

 

[ace422]

Yea should have done it when i changed the orings on the stainless part and swithed to the c clip. I have to fix a sticky throttle issue first. Ski was surging when i went to trailer it, i noticed the throttle wasnt snapping back, 2nd time its happened luckily both times it been at the end of the day near the dock.