Major cavitation, water in hull

[anesthes]

Took a ski out last night that I rebuilt the engine on. 1997 GTI with the 717.

Major cavitation taking off. once on plane it runs about 50mph. Stopped and started again, and couldn't get it to plane. Pulled to the sandbar and it has like 4+ inches of water in it.

Drained the water out, planed, ran it, stopped, water.

I ran it for a bit on the trailer (in the water) and goosed the throttle but can't see where it is coming in. My assumption is that it has to be moving or at speed.

My initial thoughts are cavitation + water in hull = carbon ring / shaft seal ?

Not sure why the bailers are not sucking the water out. must be coming in faster than they can suck it out..

-- Joe

 

[racerxxx]

Go back over and check your cooling lines are all tight and on.. Did you just do a top end of did you have the engine out? Did you use an alignment tool?

 

[anesthes]

Go back over and check your cooling lines are all tight and on.. Did you just do a top end of did you have the engine out? Did you use an alignment tool?

Did the top end. Hoses are all tight.

-- Joe

 

[racerxxx]

Did you happen to move the bilge drain lines? If the yellow elbows are not above the water line or are close to it they will actually draw water into the ski.

 

[racerxxx]

Run it on the hose and see if you see water spraying from the exhaust or anywhere.

 

[mikidymac]

With the "major cavitation" and water in the hull I would check your carbon seal and driveshaft hat for damage.

 

[anesthes]

Changed the carbon ring anf hat, all better.

Silly design.

My old Challenger used to cavitate when the ring went bad, but this is the first ski I've had that almost sank...