Clunk, then cavitation. 96 GTX

[Mlandel]

Last ride of last season as I was heading in fir the season there was a clunk, then the GTX started cavitating like mad. I thought something had been ingested (although is was about 10 ft in depth) and dinged the impeller. After inspecting and finding nothing untoward. I buttoned up everything for the new season.

Perhaps not unexpectedly, the cavitation remains. Engine revs great but clearly lacking thrust.

Suggestions before I begin a pump tear-down?

 

[etemplet]

Excessive wear ring clearance likely. Could be a stripped drive spline. Probably need to pull the pump and do a thorough inspection. Give all a good once or twice over anyway. They always need love. Good Luck !

 

[GGuillot]

Last ride of last season as I was heading in fir the season there was a clunk, then the GTX started cavitating like mad. I thought something had been ingested (although is was about 10 ft in depth) and dinged the impeller. After inspecting and finding nothing untoward. I buttoned up everything for the new season.

Perhaps not unexpectedly, the cavitation remains. Engine revs great but clearly lacking thrust.

Suggestions before I begin a pump tear-down?

While you're at it with the pump off checking the wear ring, etc. Pull the driveshaft out and check for it being straight and true. If it's bent it'll cause cavitation problems, when bent what's happening it the carbon vibrates too much and sucks air.. I chased this problem most of a season a couple yrs ago on my GTX.

 

[POPPS]

Go under the ski, have some one start it, you can see a wobbily shaft from there.

 

[rbowes1]

Sometimes things really get wedged in there, this rock wasn't visible from the back, had to get right up in there to see it. Needed a hammer and chisel to get it out, but despite the damage to the impeller and the wear ring the '91 XP still rips - although I'm sure down a bit on top speed.