Sportster 1800 engine/impeller questions, alignment?

[swill777]

So I bought the 1998 Sportster 1800 in the thread below. The boat looks great, and runs good. But I think something needs to be aligned. Let me explain...

When you run both engines at the same RPM, say 5500, the boat pushes to the left... When I look at the wake, the water coming from the left engine seems to be shooting out of the top of the water more than the right, looking like its not "aligned" correctly? The engine is physically running fine, but the angle it's shooting the water out seems to be causing it to lose power. Sorry for the terminology, I just got this thing and have never owned a jetski or anything like that... I took pics of the rear of the boat that you can see below. What is that brass plug in the left impeller/housing on the back? Why doesn't the right side have one of those? Is something missing? Also, how can I align the left side better?

As far as flushing... the owner's manual shows 2 flush plugs in the back of the boat, near where the impellers are. I don't have those.. I just have 2 on top when I open the engine compartment. I started each engine, then turned the water on (with salt-away added), ran for about 3 mins or so, then cut the water, then turned each engine off. Is that the correct flushing procedure? The manual said something about clamping a hose when u use the top flush plugs??? Any ideas?

Check the pics below

 

[swill777]

From futrther searching and reading... I guess these are called the steering nozzles? And the whole assembly with the impeller in it is called the jet pump? In any case, is there an aligment procedure for these?

 

[timmyboy76]

hey stud, that bar w/heim joints at each end, that is what you turn to align the nozzle assy's. Put steering wheel in "neutral" position, then take a look at what nozzle is "off" slightly. Remove the heim and either turn, in or out, to correct nozzle position....:cheers:

 

[swill777]

cool. thanks.

 

[Nate Surveyor]

A damaged wear ring on the left side could provide less propulsion on the left too! I think it is time to look at the impellers, and wear rings.



Nate

 

[swill777]

I hear the less propulsion for sure... I will take a picture of the wake next time I take the boat out so you guys can see the difference between the left and right... I am going to try to make a few small adjustments to that rod for now.

 

[swill777]

hey stud, that bar w/heim joints at each end, that is what you turn to align the nozzle assy's. Put steering wheel in "neutral" position, then take a look at what nozzle is "off" slightly. Remove the heim and either turn, in or out, to correct nozzle position....:cheers:

So just take the bolt out, adjust slightly, and put back on... ?? I am assuming I have to lengthen the rod if the left steering nozzle is shooting slightly right, to push it more to the left. In neutral position of the steering wheel, the right steering nozzle is pretty much straight.

Oh and I got a flashlight and checked out the wear rings... You are supposed to look at the spot between the tip of the blade and the plastic right?? That was pretty damn close.. but, around the other part of the blade there seemed to be more room in some spots. The left and right looked worn the same amount. It's really hard to see in there for any type of accurate measurement.

 

[timmyboy76]

"..I am assuming I have to lengthen the rod if the left steering nozzle is shooting slightly right, to push it more to the left. In neutral position of the steering wheel, the right steering nozzle is pretty much straight."
yah, if your stand'n behind boat, look'n at it,.
the wear rings, shouldn't be no more than 1mm gap..(its a small gap/if not any)

 

[swill777]

Pics of the new boat!!

This thing is a freaking blast.. so damn happy I bought it.

 

[swill777]

Oh yeah, it tops out around 45mph, maybe a bit faster... I am going to measure the wear rings again when there is more light.. but compared to what other people are posting, this boat is supposed to be able to go slightly faster... the wear rings and impellers could be the originals from 1998 since some old guy apparently owned it, that didn't know anything about these boats.