Pump problem?

[*97GTX*]

I just recently (yesterday) got my 97 GTX from the shop after having fuel system work and a new rotary valve cover and timing job. I took it to the river today to see how it was running, it seems to run great until I try and take off. It will rev up the whole boat vibrates badly and don't go any where. This happend before just before I put it in the shop for running and starting problems. It did it the time before but then stopped. Now it does it constantly. Before I thought it was something in the pump so I didn't think anything about it because it stopped. I check the pump there is nothing in it. Please give me some ideas.

Thanks

[Technical Support]

You either have a bad wearing ring, bad impeller, striped splines on your PTO and/or impeller, or you are missing one or both of your rubber spacers on the ends of your driveshaft.

[*97GTX*]

Thanks for your help, do I need any special tools to remove and eventually reinstall the pump other than the impeller removal tool?

[Technical Support]

You only need a couple wrenches and sockets. You don't need the impeller removal tool to remove the pump, just the impeller FROM the pump, if it's stripped.

[*97GTX*]

Thanks support, I just went out for a closer inspection and I found that the impeller is coming in contact with the wear ring on the sides. The wear ring has a slight oval shape to it but not much. Does this information help to maybe narrow down the problem. Since I will obviously have to take the pump out to fix this, what all should be replaced? I had already planed on a new Solas prop and wear ring.

Thanks

[Technical Support]

You need a new wear ring if the gap is more than .75mm. Egg shaped is normal, so long as the gap is not excessive. 0.2mm is about normal when new, and smooth.

[1fastski.com]

somthing to check also is your carbon seal , if its worn it will suck air into the pump and couse the same problem as a bad wear ring or prop , a broke motor mount will also do the same .

[1fastski.com]

also loose hose clamps or if the front clamp on the carbon seal is turned up the PTO cover can push it down and the pump will suck air into the pump .

[*97GTX*]

Thanks for all your advice. I got the pump off, it does need a new prop but it is not that bad so that is would suddenly start all the shaking. The impeller shaft does have some back and forth movement but I could not feel and side to side movement. The splines on the impeller and drive shaft do not show any signs of wear. There is some rusty water/sludge in the end of the impeller where the impeller and drive shaft meet. I will check the motor mounts but wouldn't the ski still go above 15mph even with a broken motor mount. Seems if it was that it would shake but still have propulsion. Is there any way to check the PTO and drive shaft splines w/o removing it? I will check everything suggested above, I can't check bearings until I get an impeller removal tool.

Thanks

[Technical Support]

No there is no way to check witout taking it off and looking - you have look INSIDE the impeller at the splines and inside the PTO.

[*97GTX*]

I have checked inside the impeller but I cannot check the the PTO with out removing the drive shaft. I was hoping I would be able to determine the problem w/o removing it but I guess I will have too.

Thanks

[*97GTX*]

If I remove the Drive shaft, will I have to replace the seal carrier assembly?

[Technical Support]

No. Once the pump is off the shaft slides out. There is a C clip on the shaft, just under the steel collar before the carbon seal ont he inside. Tap the sleeve back to expose the ring and tap the ring off. Then just slide the shaft out the back.

[*97GTX*]

I don't see any C clamp. All I have is these 2 crazy clamps that I can't get off holding on a rubber boot at the PTO, then I have the steel collar that looks pressed on the shaft the the carbon seal and boot. The manual says I need to take off those retarded clamps, is there a way to get them off w/o the special pliers?

[*97GTX*]

Well I got the drive shaft out and the PTO splines look a tad beat up but not enough to slip. There is a couple scoreing marks at the opening that is it. Everything else loods fine. The drive shaft is rusty (splines and seal locations are fine), will clean it really good before it goes back in. Is there anything else I should look at before I order the parts to pretty much replace everything?

Thanks