Uncle - Help removing Jet Pump from '97 GTX

[peirek]

I have been searching and searching for the answer to this but have been unable to find a definitive answer. I have one simple question. Do I need to disconnect the cooling hose and bailer hoses on this machine? The service manual says nothing about removing them but everywhere I read it seems to indicate they need to be removed. The jet pump seems to have a joint for these (likely an o-ring behind) and therefore I do not believe they are attached to the JP.

It sounds so simple:

1) Remove the cooling hose from inside the hull. (and bailer hoses if you have them) They are on the transom, and held on with hose clamps.
2) Remove any cables hooked to the pump. (Steering, Reverse, and VTS)
3) Remove the nozzle. (4 bolts)
4) remove the pump. (4 nuts)

The next problem I have is I have a bunch of sealant oozing from the JP and I suspect this is what is preventing this from just slipping off. Or as the manual says: Remove jet pump with a wiggle movement. Yeah right! :cuss:

So I am appealing to the experts on this forum before I build a jig and start pulling............:thumbsup:

 

[Dr Honda]

If that ski has a big plastic mount at the transom... it will come out without disconnecting them. BUT... the easy way to tell, is once you get the pump loose... if it doesn't come off, and the hoses wiggle when you wiggle the pump... they need disconnected.

Your second question/statement is probably right. Someone worked on it before you got it, and they were too cheap to by the proper gasket, and they "Glued" the pump on with RTV. All you can do is wiggle, and pull. Using the wrong stuff make's it a total bastard to get it apart later. If they used the right gasket... it would just slide off.

 

[powerslave]

Yes you doo. At least on my 96 gti you do. I assume your gtx is set up the same. The sealant does make it difficult to get off, you have to wiggle it pretty hard. If you havent disconnected the hoses, if won't come off. Someone else chime in if I am correct...

 

[peirek]

If that ski has a big plastic mount at the transom... it will come out without disconnecting them. BUT... the easy way to tell, is once you get the pump loose... if it doesn't come off, and the hoses wiggle when you wiggle the pump... they need disconnected.

Your second question/statement is probably right. Someone worked on it before you got it, and they were too cheap to by the proper gasket, and they "Glued" the pump on with RTV. All you can do is wiggle, and pull. Using the wrong stuff make's it a total bastard to get it apart later. If they used the right gasket... it would just slide off.

The ski does have the plastic mount on the transom. Getting the pump loose is another adventure....... Yes the ski was worked on by a bozo mechanic at a dealership to remain unnamed. After having the ski to them some years ago in the spring for a summer prep, they pinched the o-ring on the oil cover when replacing it and you can guess the rest. We were on vacation at Table Rock lake when it started to squeal a little. Fortunately my son shut it right down before big damage was done. I was able to find a dealer that had an o-ring and oil and was able to limp it for the remainder of the vacation. The dealership made good on it but the result was what I have now. A very well sealed JP.

 

[peirek]

Yes you doo. At least on my 96 gti you do. I assume your gtx is set up the same. The sealant does make it difficult to get off, you have to wiggle it pretty hard. If you havent disconnected the hoses, if won't come off. Someone else chime in if I am correct...

So this sums up my difficulty in finding the right answer. One says yes, the other no..... I just need a tie breaker vote now. Thanks for the response!

 

[powerslave]

So this sums up my difficulty in finding the right answer. One says yes, the other no..... I just need a tie breaker vote now. Thanks for the response!

Go with what Dr. Honda says. I just know on mine, yes I do have to disconnect those hoses. But mine is a 96 gti and I have never looked in the hull of a 97 gtx.

 

[peirek]

With all the reading I have done on here, I suspect Dr. Honda knows....... Not to discount your opinion however. :cheers:

 

[peirek]

With all the reading I have done on here, I suspect Dr. Honda knows....... Not to discount your opinion however. :cheers:

Tried to upload a photo but no luck. Is there a size limit? I had it down under 10Kb.

 

[ski-d00]

You do not have to disconnect the hoses on the 97 GTX, the pump will normally come off very easily unless somebody has put sealant on it which it doesn't need. Don't take the nozzle or reverse off, that will make it harder. You can use a 3' long 2x4 and gently pry on the steering nozzle with a fulcrum on the rub rail. side to side, up and down wiggling will get it.

 

[powerslave]

With all the reading I have done on here, I suspect Dr. Honda knows....... Not to discount your opinion however. :cheers:

Yes, he knows.

 

[peirek]

Ski-d00 - I will try this tonight if I get home from the office at a reasonable time. It will require reinstalling the nozzle as it is already off. But not a big deal at all. Thanks for the hint!

 

[peirek]

Ski-d00 - I will try this tonight if I get home from the office at a reasonable time. It will require reinstalling the nozzle as it is already off. But not a big deal at all. Thanks for the hint!

Well I succeeded in getting it off. After using B12 on it the past couple of days along with the tips on the forum here success is at hand. The silicone was certainly an issue but I freed the JP from the plastic housing using a little prying on the corners and the wiggle/pull method. But then I could tell the drive shaft was stuck. A few little pulls with the impeller assembly going clank, and a final big quick tug it released. Discovered another screw up by the previous "mechanic". The rubber seal on the end of the pump was rolled under (probably was assembled without any lube) and allowed water to penetrate into the drive shaft/JP splines. So they are rusted but thankfully they freed up.

Discovered two issues that were causing the cavitation. 1) Wear ring had large chunk missing on the top side. There is good evidence a rock had gotten in as there was a pretty good mark on the ski itself at this location. Impeller is in really good shape. No chips just a few rough edges on the leading edge of the blades. 2) Shoe was not sealed fully and pushed out pretty easily.

Thanks to all on the forum for sharing their experiences and knowledge. Maybe some day some poor guy or gal will read this post and it will help them also.

 

[Dr Honda]

Go with what Dr. Honda says. I just know on mine, yes I do have to disconnect those hoses. But mine is a 96 gti and I have never looked in the hull of a 97 gtx.

Also... the 96 XP doesn't have a plastic mount. The pump just bolts to the fiberglass.

 

[peirek]

So I am trying to reconcile which neoprene seal should be used for this ski ('97 GTX). There is no seal listed in the parts breakdown. I am strongly leaning towards 293-200-051. I was able to Google the PN and this particular seal shows under 2000 GTX, 2001 GTX, and 2002 GTI parts breakdowns and those are very similar mounting schemes. Does anyone have any experience in this area that can assist?