Carbon seal nightmare!! HELP!

[makaveli07]

Okay so I finished completely restoring my 1996 seadoo challenge, came to the last step which is to install a new carbon seal and stainless support ring. The stainless steel ring which has 2 o rings inside gave me sooo much trouble that i had to use wood just to slide the oring into position. After sliding it into position I notice that there are small circle shaving from the orings that are inside… and for some reason it isnt sitting right… the below is not applying the proper pressure onto the ring and i have a feeling like there is a problem somewhere. Now my question becomes:

1. How the hell do people slide that stainless steel piece with the orings inside onto the shaft? I used lots of lube and still got oring shavings…

2. Do i need a new stainless steel ring and carbon ring if its just the oring that got damaged?

3. I would honestly like to convert to a seal carrier? My 1998 GTX had one and i loved it. Grease it after each ride and im golden.

Some notes:
1. the engine is 100% aligned with sbt alignment tool.
2. I did not replace the bellow and it looks too short.

Thank you!

 

[makaveli07]

Update: I moved the bellow a little forward, it looks better but not sure if this is how it should be ?

I can still separate the stainless steel hat by putting some pressure on the below/ carbon ring.

Anyone know if this is how its supposed to look ?

 

[Spider4real]

I think it will be too loose in its current position. I doubt there is enough pressure on the carbon ring to prevent leaks. You need to compress the bellow an push the stainless steel hat in more to get the stainless steel ring on the second notch on the driveshaft. That's how it was with my challenger anyway. And yes it is a pain to get it in that snug, but once done it is done and you don't need to worry about it and you don need to greese anything. So it has its advantages over the carrier seal system.

 

[makaveli07]

Can i put the c clip on the 2nd notch ? The c clip is quite a tight fit on the first notch, the 2nd notch seems smaller than the first would the c clip actually go in?

Also is it safe to run like that ?

Thank you!

 

[Spider4real]

Well all I can say what mine was like. The notch on the driveshaft was the same size on the first 2. It worked good on mine.

If there is not enough pressure you may get a leak. Might get some cavitation. If you don't think you can get it on the second notch you can try it as you had it and see how it works. If you see water leaking through or the engine revs up a you don't have much thrust then you will have to get it on tighter.

If it works great then you are golden.

 

[makaveli07]

Well all I can say what mine was like. The notch on the driveshaft was the same size on the first 2. It worked good on mine.

If there is not enough pressure you may get a leak. Might get some cavitation. If you don't think you can get it on the second notch you can try it as you had it and see how it works. If you see water leaking through or the engine revs up a you don't have much thrust then you will have to get it on tighter.

If it works great then you are golden.

Im just scared i sink the boat lol, i tried getting the c clip on the 2nd notch… here is the result.. (stainless steel hat wont go on top as the c clip is too large

 

[Spider4real]

Well you won't sink the boat. I don't think it would leak that fast. But always test it near the dock. Just in case.

At this point it really is hard to say for sure because I can't feel how much pressure on the carbon ring in the first notch. It did not look like there was much pressure. To me it looks better now but I don't like the fact the hat does not fit over the ring. It looks like it should fit over it. Maybe some grease will help it slip over?

 

[makaveli07]

Well you won't sink the boat. I don't think it would leak that fast. But always test it near the dock. Just in case.

At this point it really is hard to say for sure because I can't feel how much pressure on the carbon ring in the first notch. It did not look like there was much pressure. To me it looks better now but I don't like the fact the hat does not fit over the ring. It looks like it should fit over it. Maybe some grease will help it slip over?

Thats good to hear, thats what i plan to do, is see if its leaking near the dock and go from there. Here is what it looks now after going back to the first notch, i mean i can pry the carbon ring away from it by hand with medium pressure. Idk if thats how its supposed to be.

 

[Spider4real]

You will be fine. I think worst case scenario is you might have some cavitation if it is not tight enough. Keep us posted on how your testing goes.

 

[wernerml]

Lube is important! Rotating the stainless as you push it over the shaft can help. Lube that doesn't attack the orings and make them swell is good too.

Probably the reason they have two rings to help guard against leaks even with minor failure.

 

[POPPS]

Before i install a shaft,,i will slide the sleeve over the "O" rings by hand,,,lub...etc,,,then i know it should slide over,.by doing this while it is in my hand,,,the 2 "O" rings get "broken in",,the bellow also can be a hidden culprit,,,slowly losing its expandability,,,and the seal leaks,,,

 

[arffguy]

I am rebuilding shaft as well and found a 1 1/2 inch blue neoprene ring not sure where it goes cannot find on any drawings help

 

[POPPS]

Can you post a pic?

 

[arffguy]

Can you post a pic?

 

[TheYeti]

Sub'd for future reference before making a separate post of my own.