New to the forums, first time PWC owner: Pretty sure I just scored.

[tekkdrone]

So I just became the owner of a 2001 RX with 106 hours on it.

When it was stored, it was in perfect running condition, but the last time it was out before storage, the impeller ingested some rocks, and from looking through the back end it looks like it decided to eat the wear ring as a result. This is the only known issue with it and it has been stored and covered for the last 2 years.

Well, since it wasn't getting used, and the previous owner (a good friend of mine) was tired of storing and/or keeping it maintained, he decided to let it go cheap to a good buddy (me), trailer included.

So for $500 bucks, this is what I got:


Some shots engine and inside the hull:

Shot 1:


Shot 2:


Shot 3:


Aaaaand Shot 4:


Here's a pic of the damage I can see with a flashlight in the jet outlet, the impeller appears to be ok and the plastic isn't soft but it's flexible, so I'm hoping I can get by without replacing the impeller in addition to any other repairs:



I'll be perfectly honest, it feels like Christmas in June at my house right now. Whaddya think?

-tekkdrone

 

[bajaman123]

Dude! Seriously? That is a STEAL, man!
Congratulations!

 

[tekkdrone]

Dude! Seriously? That is a STEAL, man!
Congratulations!

Thanks

From what I've read on this forum so far, from Dr. Honda and others, and various other google results, I'm second guessing whether what I was looking at stuck in the impeller was actually part of the wear ring. From what I've seen in photos and videos, those things are NOT soft like plastic. Time to pull off the pump and see what's really going on (and time to order an impeller tool...)

 

[bajaman123]

Yes, it looked to me like the wear ring itself is what is kind of mangled looking. Still, a relatively easy fix, and for the price, provided the engine is good, etc, you can afford to spend up to $1500 and STILL be on top, when it comes to value. And for sure, there are several guys on here who just know these 'skis, inside and out.
It's a great site, please consider becoming a Premium member. Heck, you get a cool shirt, after all!

Keep us posted!

 

[Nike12000]

Great looking ski man and sounds like you to a killer price so grats there! There is a ton of great info here about replacing wear rings and also a bunch of great youtube walk though videos make sure you put pump in freezer for a few hrs the temp will make things shrink and will make ring come out much easier then just using a chisel or screwdriver.

 

[tekkdrone]

Great looking ski man and sounds like you to a killer price so grats there! There is a ton of great info here about replacing wear rings and also a bunch of great youtube walk though videos make sure you put pump in freezer for a few hrs the temp will make things shrink and will make ring come out much easier then just using a chisel or screwdriver.

Aye, I've definitely done a good bit of research. Chiseling the ring out vs. putting it in the freezer and have it easily slip out with a quiet "shuffff" as seen in a couple videos makes the freezer method a definitely-gonna-try-that solution. Same with chilling the replacement for the 2 x easy insert after the housing warms up.

I took the pump off today and had a look, definitely ate the plastic off the wear ring. The impeller looks to be in good shape but I'm going to post some pics in another thread later and ask for some feedback since I'm low on experience in PWC's.

 

[Nike12000]

Sounds good and good luck!

 

[Jetskigoodies]

I have brand new oem wear rings for $50 shipped. If interested let me know

 

[AdamXP800]

^ good deal on oem wear ring. I'd deff go oem



96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!

 

[tekkdrone]

I have brand new oem wear rings for $50 shipped. If interested let me know

I appreciate the offer Jetskigoodies. I'm debating whether to buy an OEM ring or the aftermarket Delrin acetyl plastic ring due to the method in which the OEM ring failed. (Plastic detached from core and bound up the impeller.)

Once I've figured it out I'll let you know

 

[Brian J]

I'm calling the cops because you stole that thing.

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

I appreciate the offer Jetskigoodies. I'm debating whether to buy an OEM ring or the aftermarket Delrin acetyl plastic ring due to the method in which the OEM ring failed. (Plastic detached from core and bound up the impeller.)

Once I've figured it out I'll let you know

That oem will last a lot longer. It is not meant to last forever, it lasted a long time tho. Longer than the delrin prob will

 

[tekkdrone]

I'm calling the cops because you stole that thing.

Haha, that's pretty much the response I've been getting from people I've shown it to or told about it. The previous owner had to bring it to my house because I don't even have a hitch on one of my vehicles yet!

 

[tekkdrone]

That oem will last a lot longer. It is not meant to last forever, it lasted a long time tho. Longer than the delrin prob will

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind.

 

[onlyadoo]

OEM I've learned the hard way, saving a buck cost me a fortune. I used a screw driver and a hammer, carefully, not to damage the housing. came out in less than 5 min. Lube the outside of the new one with water, use a rubber mallet. Went right in! Don't start it in shallow water or you'll be doing this again. Don't ask me how I know :banghead:

 

[tekkdrone]

OEM I've learned the hard way, saving a buck cost me a fortune. I used a screw driver and a hammer, carefully, not to damage the housing. came out in less than 5 min. Lube the outside of the new one with water, use a rubber mallet. Went right in! Don't start it in shallow water or you'll be doing this again. Don't ask me how I know :banghead:

Yeah, I'm not worried about 10 or 15 bucks difference, I'm more concerned with which solution is engineered better. From what I've read so far on this forum and others, manufacturing tolerances are hit or miss with the aftermarket delrin rings, so OEM it is. My interest in the aftermarket ring was the mode of failure from the one in the boat now; the plastic de-laminated from the core and bound up the impeller. I was going to start another thread with pics but it makes more sense to just update this one.

Here's the intake side of the impeller, the outer edges have leftover plastic casting a shadow, making them look chipped up, but the only damage is to the leading curve of the blades, and it looks to be light wear and tear damage:

Here's the plastic that got torn off of the fiberglass core and bound up the impeller:

The impeller looks undamaged (to me, but hell, what do I know?) but since I've got the pump off anyway, I'm considering a Solas Dynafly or Skat Trak Swirl impeller, and having this one reconditioned and stored as a backup.

Of course, before I order all my parts I really want to make sure the engine cranks smoothly and starts. I believe the guy that sold it to me, as he's a good friend who takes good care of his "toys", but also I don't want to drop several hundred on repairs and/or upgrades until I know for sure that the engine spins as well as it looks after 2 years of storage. I can remove the obstruction from the impeller and put the pump back on (sans cables) for a quick test. Problem there is I've got 2 year old gas in the tank... so I've gotta solve that problem first

 

[tekkdrone]

I have brand new oem wear rings for $50 shipped. If interested let me know

Hey Jetskigoodies, I'm interested in picking up at least one OEM wear ring. Want me to shoot you a PM with my email address?

 

[onlyadoo]

I used a cheap transfer pump from H.F. worked like a charm.

 

[tekkdrone]

Woohoo! I cleared the impeller obstruction and bought a new AGM battery and it started right up

I made a flush adapter from a fitting I got at Home Depot and turned the water on after about 20 seconds and let it flush out. The water came out pretty clean so I'm optimistic about the condition of the internals. Idle sat right around 3k RPM (out of water).

Being a noob, I had the nose in the garage... apparently there's a water outlet on the port side up front? lol. :facepalm:

Tow hitch will be here tomorrow so I'll be able to take it to get the old gas pumped out soon, it's got about ~7 gallons in it and I've got nowhere to put that much old fuel so I'm going to have to pay someone to pump it out.

Repair costs are looking to be around 500 bucks as I'm going to have to replace the pump housing, the outlet vanes got chewed up when the impeller ate the wear ring, but damn, now I'm excited

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Nice chick magnet.

Some folks can take their old stinky gasoline to the local auto wrecking yard, there they have a large tank for emptying vehicles that come into the yard.

 

[tekkdrone]

Finally got everything squared away

All titled up, registered, trailer plates, etc. The new pump housing and impeller (Solas Dynafly) are on, should be hitting the water end of this week. Old gas is about a year and a half old (half tank) so I'm going to just top it up with 93 Octane. Even if I've lost two octane points in the old fuel that should be enough to keep me from excess detonation I would think (87 Octane recommended).

After the "seaworthiness" trial I'll do the VTS motor/boot/assy and get it back to functional, and re-cover the seat. It's been hard to make time to work on it, and the pump housing I ordered was backordered... I can't wait to get 'er in the water

 

[AdamXP800]

Why risk running old fuel? Drain that shit



96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!

 

[seadooaddiction]

Why risk running old fuel? Drain that shit



96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!

Agreed. Do not risk running old fuel. Also just because it doesn't appear yo have been mentioned yet, make sure you don't have grey fuel lines. I didn't scrupulate the photos to see if they were present but if they are an they're an engine killer if still installed. Great purchase by the way! I have one of these hulls and an rxx hull just waiting for a build/commision. Dont be afraid to post any questions or concerns you may have! Great job so far!

 

[seadooaddiction]

Buy one of these. Siphon that sh*t. They're cheap!

 

[tekkdrone]

Agreed. Do not risk running old fuel. Also just because it doesn't appear yo have been mentioned yet, make sure you don't have grey fuel lines. I didn't scrupulate the photos to see if they were present but if they are an they're an engine killer if still installed. Great purchase by the way! I have one of these hulls and an rxx hull just waiting for a build/commision. Dont be afraid to post any questions or concerns you may have! Great job so far!

Noted. The old fuel goes then. Also I do remember checking early on if I had the grey lines since I had read some rebuild/resto threads before my first post, all clear there, they're brown if I remember correctly.