Is it possible that I ejected my wear ring while using the ski?

[KiloRomeo]

So....

Took my 2002 Seas Doo GTX 4tec out for the first time in a while and everything was fine and dandy until we got to the sandbar. After turning off the ski and enjoying part of the day we tried starting back up. I think we had some key issues and once we got through that the ski started up and idled fine. Once we tried to move however the ski was not getting full thrust. It would idle and rev fine, it just wouldnt go. You can get it on a plane but it would top out at ~35mph. Once back on the trailer I was looking at the impeller and I noticed one small little ding (not sure if that was there or not ) but I also noticed a pretty large gap around the impeller. I don't remember what this normally looks like but i'm pretty sure my wear ring is completely missing. Is this possible? How the hell does that happen!

 

[Coastiejoe]

Yes. it is possible. More than likely, it got damaged and when the impeller was spinning it literally ate it up and spit it out.

Post a picture from the rear tunnel, we should be able to confirm this for you.

 

[KiloRomeo]

Sounds good. I'll try to take a picture.

Do you think the little ding on the impeller is a major cause for concern?

 

[red2blue]

If you shot the ring outa your pump...I'd love to see the nozzle.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Sounds good. I'll try to take a picture.

Do you think the little ding on the impeller is a major cause for concern?

Dings are not a big deal. Bent blades are to a LARGE degree.

Dings can be filed smooth in most cases.


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[KiloRomeo]

I'll start to disassemble this weekend and post some pictures. Now off to find a good write up on how to do this.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Our HOW TO section has a few write ups on it.


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[KiloRomeo]

Yes. it is possible. More than likely, it got damaged and when the impeller was spinning it literally ate it up and spit it out.

Post a picture from the rear tunnel, we should be able to confirm this for you.

Well finally pulled the pump. Whatever it was, it got chewed up and spit. There was a bit of the lip of what I assume was the wear ring and nothing else:

 

[KiloRomeo]

Dings are not a big deal. Bent blades are to a LARGE degree.

Dings can be filed smooth in most cases.


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Take a look at the pics above, thing it's ok? As soon as I get this wear ring issue fixed I'm putting it up for sale so I would rather not spend $300 on a new impeller.

 

[KiloRomeo]

After reading the how to it looks like the wear ring is actually 2 pieces and perhaps only the black part came out of mine.

Side note, does the impeller (and associated tool) necessary to be removed to replace the wear ring? Seems like it can just be popped in no?

 

[LouDoo]

Yep, what you have left is the fiberglass core. This happened to me, the rubber material of the wear ring just disintegrated. The wear ring in my ski was probably eight years old, really old for a wear ring.

You'll need to remove the pump, remove the impeller, probably cut out what's left of the wear ring. Put the new wear ring in the freezer so it will shrink. Actually, thinking about it, I thought 4-tecs used delrin wear rings. [MENTION=43374]Coastiejoe[/MENTION] The pump looks like a 2-stroke pump?

Lou

 

[red2blue]

leading edge of prop sux, wear ring is in there...and toast.

Where's the pump seal?

 

[KiloRomeo]

leading edge of prop sux, wear ring is in there...and toast.

Where's the pump seal?

I believe I still have the pump seal and it's ok. So you think I need a new impeller? Anything else I should do? Dear oil?

 

[red2blue]

To be honest with you I'm not completely familiar with your ski. Just going with what I can/can't see in your pics. That ring's gap is terrible. At least one of those blades has a dent/bend in addition to all the chips, dings and gouges. Honestly dunno how you were able to get any forward thrust.

Ski shoulda vibrated like crazy after ingesting whatever it was between the prop/ring.

 

[KiloRomeo]

Anyone else?

 

[Sea Dood]

You have one of the original style wear rings that is a fiberglass core with a rubber material coating it, and the rubber is gone. They don't make this style wear rings for the 4TEC's anymore, they are a one-piece Delrin ring.

Put your whole pump in the freezer, check you don't have any screws holding the ring in place (was common add-on with the plastic pumps) and the old ring should be able to be pulled out easily. If not, you may need to use a hacksaw blade and saw thru the wear ring to collapse it enough to remove it.

On these old plastic pumps, it is iffy if the new-style ring will fit properly. It may be tight (need a press to get it in) or it may be too loose (need to add screws thru the side to hold it from spinning)

You should either clean up the leading edges of your impeller or get it rebuilt.

 

[KiloRomeo]

You have one of the original style wear rings that is a fiberglass core with a rubber material coating it, and the rubber is gone. They don't make this style wear rings for the 4TEC's anymore, they are a one-piece Delrin ring.

Put your whole pump in the freezer, check you don't have any screws holding the ring in place (was common add-on with the plastic pumps) and the old ring should be able to be pulled out easily. If not, you may need to use a hacksaw blade and saw thru the wear ring to collapse it enough to remove it.

On these old plastic pumps, it is iffy if the new-style ring will fit properly. It may be tight (need a press to get it in) or it may be too loose (need to add screws thru the side to hold it from spinning)

You should either clean up the leading edges of your impeller or get it rebuilt.

Any chance I can replace this wear ring without pulling the impeller?

 

[BigDfromTN]

Any chance I can replace this wear ring without pulling the impeller?

Yes. Just do as Sea Dood suggested with the freezer trick.