how to tell if my carbon seal is worn?

[shoey50]

hey guys have noticed the past couple of times ive gone out on the ski that i have a really bad cavitation problem when i take off mainly when i have a second or third person on board or if im towing.

now have been reading threw a few treads on the topic and have noticed the two most obviously reason for the problem are the wear ring (which was replaced just before i bought it about a month ago) but i will still check the clearances when i pull it apart, and the carbon seal now there is no water at all in my hull and i cant see it leaking when its in the water (unless i pull back the rubber boot then it pours in) so can it still cause cavitation if it doesn't leak water in? and how do you tell if its worn or not? also the impeller has a few very small nicks in it but very minor but im getting a new impeller soon anyway any help would be great thanks guys

 

[Dr Honda]

It's hard to tell if the carbon seal is warn without a full disassembly.

A quick and dirty test is to put a blob of waterproof grease on the face of the seal. If the cavitation goes away... then your seal is leaking air.

If you decide to change the seal... you need to change the boot, and the O-rings in the stainless ring too.

 

[seadooya]

yuo see any "light" looking into the pump assy, at nozzle side? about nickel/quarter thickness? If so, new wearring.