I have recently done a rebuilld on my pump (1997 GTX).
About 3 months ago, I bought a Solas Concord impeller to add a bit to the performance of the ski. When I tore it down, I found my forward bearings (inner bearings) out of spec and the shaft was etched with 2 grooves. In the pictures below, you can just barely make out the damage to the shaft. I posted 2 pix because I had to get the camera so close to try and catch the grooves that they blurred a bit.
The grooves on the shaft measured .05". I also wasted my wearing ring between the time I found the problem in the bearings (while putting on the new impeller) to the time I was able to get the rebuild kit and set it up for my off season work.
It's very hard to see but someone with a mechanics eye might spot the wear in the bearings behind the seal. It was so easy to see up close, not so easy to capture in a picture.
There is also a picture of my airtest. When replacing the seal or if you suspect water is penetrating the seal (yellowish oil), you should do an air test.
The air test is simple enough. After draining the oil, attach a fitting to the cone where your cap is. Use your pop-off air system to take the pressure up to 10 minutes. Then, hold it for ten minutes.
Where to find the adapter for the pump? If you do not have the fittings for adapting your air system to the cone, go to Lowe's and look in their air tools section. There, you will find a small kit with different size adapters. I believe the small case had 4 or 5 pieces to it. Seems I remember one of them was for blowing up basketballs. There is a brass adapter about 2" long in this kit. Take your pump plug with you to be certain you have the correct adapter.:cheers:
About 3 months ago, I bought a Solas Concord impeller to add a bit to the performance of the ski. When I tore it down, I found my forward bearings (inner bearings) out of spec and the shaft was etched with 2 grooves. In the pictures below, you can just barely make out the damage to the shaft. I posted 2 pix because I had to get the camera so close to try and catch the grooves that they blurred a bit.
The grooves on the shaft measured .05". I also wasted my wearing ring between the time I found the problem in the bearings (while putting on the new impeller) to the time I was able to get the rebuild kit and set it up for my off season work.
It's very hard to see but someone with a mechanics eye might spot the wear in the bearings behind the seal. It was so easy to see up close, not so easy to capture in a picture.
There is also a picture of my airtest. When replacing the seal or if you suspect water is penetrating the seal (yellowish oil), you should do an air test.
The air test is simple enough. After draining the oil, attach a fitting to the cone where your cap is. Use your pop-off air system to take the pressure up to 10 minutes. Then, hold it for ten minutes.
Where to find the adapter for the pump? If you do not have the fittings for adapting your air system to the cone, go to Lowe's and look in their air tools section. There, you will find a small kit with different size adapters. I believe the small case had 4 or 5 pieces to it. Seems I remember one of them was for blowing up basketballs. There is a brass adapter about 2" long in this kit. Take your pump plug with you to be certain you have the correct adapter.:cheers:
