Jet pump?

[Steve737]

Hey guys well I'm about done servicing my new to me 09 RXT's. I've changed the oil/filter, new plugs, Had the superchargers rebuilt, lubed/anti corrosioned everything. What's else? I wondering what if anything I need to do with the jet pump. The ski's have only 25 and 32 hours respectively fresh water. Thanks Steve

 

[DLB]

i'm new to this too. just bought an 06 Sportster boat (basically the same engine and jet pump) and i have rebuilt the supercharger, had to put a new water pump housing on, rebuild the entire trailer, and now after taking it out this past weekend for the second time it has serious cavitation so i have to replace wear ring and impeller at the least.... and possibly the carbon seal. i didnt look at it before but after looking under the boat into the intake grate i can see that the wear ring and impeller are all chewed up. so you might want to check that.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Some guys have switched over from grease in the impeller hub to using oil instead. No matter what it needs to be checked periodically b/c water gets in there eventually.

Just thinking out loud, for all I know I'm dreaming or something.

 

[devonte007]

I generally like to take the jet pump off every year (or two) just to check things out. As was mentioned above, the pump cone seals can fail with age and let water into the bearings. Only way to know is to periodically inspect it. It's easy to do and doesn't take much time for piece of mind. I switched over to oil instead of grease at the end of last season, feel it may do a better job of lubrication and heat dissipation.

Another thing you may want to do is replace the coolant if that has not been done in the last 2 years.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

One downside I can see with oil is it can leak out leaving nothing to lubricate and bearings won't last long that way. On the plus side, water-contaminated oil can be drained easier than water-contaminated grease.

I'd say the majority of older jet pumps that originally came with oil haven't been converted to grease unless it was a emergency temporary quick fix for leaking seals.

Come to think of it, I've got a small collection of antique outboards the gear boxes are packed with grease for this reason b/c they never were expected to hold gear oil in those days of leather and rope oil and grease seals.

 

[Steve737]

Thanks guys I'll have to search how to repack or change over to oil. Good call on the coolant!

 

[devonte007]

My switch over from grease to oil in the pump is my own little experiment. Based on my research and the kind of use I do with the boat it should work better than grease for me. Many others have done it, and there is loads of information and opinions about weather or not to do it; both for and against.

I simply took the pump off, pulled the cone off and scooped all the grease I could out of there then poured in (about 1/2-3/4 of the cone full) a good quality synthetic marine gear lube. Replaced the o-rings and buttoned it up. So far it is all working well and no leaks.

Replacing the coolant is pretty simple, just drain and refill. If you have any other questions post back and we'll do what we can to help out.

 

[mkov608]

Hey guys well I'm about done servicing my new to me 09 RXT's. I've changed the oil/filter, new plugs, Had the superchargers rebuilt, lubed/anti corrosioned everything. What's else? I wondering what if anything I need to do with the jet pump. The ski's have only 25 and 32 hours respectively fresh water. Thanks Steve

Steve, review the post below. You will need several special tools to take the pump apart and pressure check it when you are done. You can find the tool part numbers in the service manual, and you can purchase them on Ebay.

I remember reading one post from Skidoo on jet pumps. He recommended servicing grease filled jet pumps every 5 years or 100 hrs and a annual (post season) service for oil filled pumps. My manual says (I've got grease) to replace the pump seal every 100 hrs, so that's when they get new grease and a good inspection.

I purchased 2 '02 GTXs with 43 hours on them in 2013; I serviced the pumps (first time I'm thinking), last year. The oil seal on one of the pumps had failed and the pump was full of a wonderful grease/water mix, and I had to replace the bearing due to corrosion that progressed into severe pitting. Your service manual will give you the specifics on your skis.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthre...n-You-want-me-to-do-what!&p=439151#post439151

 

[Steve737]

Thanks, great info! I really appreciate the effort. Steve