sucked up a ski rope

[Steelhead]

hey guys i sucked up a ski rope with my 97 xp it wrapped up in my drive shaft could this do any motor damage?

[Bryan Glynn]

Sure can - depending on what RPM you were at when it happened - did it stop the motor? It's more likely to have done damage to the actual driveshaft through - or motor mounts...have you run it since? Any vibration?

[Bill O'Neal]

Doesn't usually do engine damage, but will bend a driveshaft.

[Steelhead]

Not sure how fast I was going, but it ran fine untill I jumped back on again to ride.No telling how long it was up in there.Like I said I thought it was something electrical so we packed her up and left.Then later checking the pump found nothing ,then decided to crawl underneath to take a peek at the drive shaft ,found what looked like small braided rope quarter inch thick.I took it out yesterday and it ran fine for awhile and it felt like there was some cavitation at some times then later it would run fine.

[Steelhead]

maybe I spun some splines off the shaft towards the motor???

[Bryan Glynn]

At the very least, you need to pull your pump off, pull the driveshaft out and make sure it is not bent.

[Bill O'Neal]

Very seldom do I see the splines on a driveshaft that are stripped. If something gets stripped, it is usually the splines in the pto or impellor. Be advised that upon inspection, it can be very difficult to see the stripped splines, as the splines at the outer ends will look good, but way down inside may be stripped out.

A typical stripped spline will make a squeeling noise and the forward motion of the boat will stop, the engine will race. A bent driveshaft will viberate, but not cause cavitation.

[Steelhead]

Well I bent the drive shaft and Im going to Powell next week,can I still ride it safely?Its a very slight bend.But STILL A BEND.What do you guys charge for a new shaft?Ive been ridin at a local lake for a couple of days so it does ride ok...advise please.

[tomsl750]

NO! Do not operate it with a bent drive shaft. You will do more damage than what one day of riding it worth. Replace the shaft and go have a good time. You can order one from P-Y and have it express shipped to you. Unless Bryan has a shaft lying around, they normally don't sell the shafts. Good Luck.

[Dennis Ferncez]

bartswatersports.com sells a peice that connects to your rope somehow to help prevent it from gettin sucked up again. i dont kno how it work but i asume it does, its like 20 bucks.

[f15epilot2]

[img]smile.gif[/img] Just a note. I sucked up a dock line (heavier than ski rope) in my 700XL Yamaha. Didn't notice it until later--engine ran, but reduced power. Removed the line and it appeared to run fine. Next time out, about two miles across the bay with my son at the controls, the engine 'banged' then raced; the jet ski lost power; and I had to tow my son back (I was in the ski boat). The shaft had sheared at the base of the threads leading to the PTO coupling (Yamaha design may be different than SkiDoo). Luckily, all parts stayed contained. I was able to have a welding shop reattach the threaded coupling and balance the shaft--now it works fine. Agree with others--replace the shaft now vs. take a chance.