High speed rattle

[Frige]

I dont get out very often being in the a/c business. I have a 96 gti that is in really good shape. Not to many hours although I did have to replace the wear ring. I took it out Saturday and while it ran great it has developed a rattle. I dont want to just ride it till its breaks and causes all kind of damage.

How do I figure out where this is coming from? I pulled the seat off back at the house and I cant see anything amiss. I shook the shaft up and down and while there is a tiny amount of play I dont think that is the cause. On the rear of the bellows connected to the shaft seal I can move that quite a bit probably 3/8 of a inch. Is that normal?

Any help will be appreciated before I start taking it apart.

 

[Frige]

Nobody? Dang I should have put some pictures of girls in swimsuits. :coolgleam:

 

[mikidymac]

Mine had a similar rattle at high speed and although everything looked ok it was the carbon seal. I replaced the bellows hat and ring from OSD Seadoo and it went away. Being able to move your carbon seal that much makes me suspect it but hard to say over the Internet.

 

[Frige]

Thanks Mik,
Will I need to pull the shaft to replace the seal? Just looking at it I suppose I will have to pull everything out starting from the pump area.

 

[mikidymac]

Yes, pump and shaft have t be removed.

Make sure you slide the stainless hat forward and remove the big o-ring or "C" clip (depending on year) that holds it before you remove the pump.