Steering and acceleration problems on 2007 GTi SE

[Sd-gb]

Hey, I have a 2007 gti SE 155hp that is having problems. I'm trying to see if there's any way I can avoid the dealer as I'm out of warranty.

I was out in and heard a knocking sound but not sure if it came from the engine or if I hit something under the water. Right away I noticed the steering was almost locked and the alignment was off. Pulled into shallow water to check the underneath for weeds or crap but there was nothing.

On the trip back I couldn't get it over 30km/hr and had the same problems with steering. I also noticed the higher the speed, the worse the steering gets. It seems like the steering assembly on back is out of place and blocking the jet. The wake off the back is much smaller and there seems to be something in the way

Has anyone had similar problems? Hopefully I can get this fixed before the weekends over. If anyone has advice it would be greatly appreciated as I will most likely be taking this thing apart all afternoon. Thanks!

 

[door54]

I take it a visual inspection around your pump/venturi area didn't expose anything?

 

[Sd-gb]

Nothing that was obvious. But I don't have much experience working on pwc's and don't know exactly what to be looking for.

The blades aren't bent or anything. All the steering cables are okay. The alignment's good. I don't know what to look for next. Is there any tests I can do to try and diagnose the problem? I have the repair manual handy, I'm reading through it now trying to figure this out. Too bad it's Sunday and all marinas are closed

 

[door54]

Ownwers manual or shop manual? Can you manually manipulate the steering nozzle, and see if you handlebars move ?

 

[Sd-gb]

Ownwers manual or shop manual? Can you manually manipulate the steering nozzle, and see if you handlebars move ?

When I move the steering nozzle by had the steeringwheel works fine

I noticed a bolt was missing on the pump housing/cover. On the top right corner
I will upload a photo in a minute. I'm not sure what caused the bolt to come out

And I have the shop manual.

 

[Sd-gb]

 

[Sd-gb]

After comparing it to the ones on the bottom, it looks like the top of the bolt snapped right off

 

[Sd-gb]

I went to the local hardware store and found identical bolts. Swapped them in and everything's good.

Thanks for the help door54

Time for a run before the sun goes down

 

[door54]

I cant help but wonder what caused the bolt to shear like that. Hopefully you got away with a quick, cheap fix! Let us know how the test run went.

 

[Sd-gb]

I don't have a clue what caused it either. But I made sure there was lots of loctite on the new bolts

Both of the top bolts were snapped and the bottom two were loose enough to move by hand. I'm just happy the thing didn't come off in the water and cause a lot more damage.

The bolts were 2 inch and 8mm thread in case anyone has the same problem

I've put a couple hours on since and haven't had any problems.

 

[door54]

Wow...I don't know that the word LUCKY can even begin to adequately describe someone almost having his pump fall off, and it all works out for the good. Amazing! simply Amazing.