2004 Sportster Jet Pump Failure

[John Pfennig]

My Sea Doo wants to cavitate when taking off. The engine wants to go up to the rev limiter before planing. I took it to my local Sea Doo boat dealer who says the entire pump needs to be rebuilt for a total of $1500 parts & labor. The person I purchased the boat from suggested contacting SBT who sells the entire pump assembly for $459.
Has anyone heard of SBT and had good or bad dealings ? Are their pumps new or remanufactured ?

 

[10forty2]

Could be as simple as replacing the wear ring in the jet drive assembly, instead of having to replace the entire pump. From what I've read, that is the most common cause of cavitation, unless the impeller is damaged.

 

[John Pfennig]

I wish it were that simple. Local dealer disassmbled jet drive and found pump housing was no good, shaft pitted from salt water use, needs to replace everything. Quoted $1500 total parts & labor. Is SBT a reliable alternative as they offer a complete jet pump assembly for $459 ? I assume it's a refurbished unit.

 

[rcookr1]

SBT is fine

 

[noviceskier]

I wish it were that simple. Local dealer disassmbled jet drive and found pump housing was no good, shaft pitted from salt water use, needs to replace everything. Quoted $1500 total parts & labor. Is SBT a reliable alternative as they offer a complete jet pump assembly for $459 ? I assume it's a refurbished unit.

Any pictures?

 

[pvamax]

I wish it were that simple. Local dealer disassmbled jet drive and found pump housing was no good, shaft pitted from salt water use, needs to replace everything. Quoted $1500 total parts & labor. Is SBT a reliable alternative as they offer a complete jet pump assembly for $459 ? I assume it's a refurbished unit.

Do you trust said dealer?! They aren't called stealerships for no reason.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I think if you choose to purchase an SBT pump, you'll be happy. One compelling reason for rebuilding the original pump is if it was cast of bronze, as some were and aftermarket units tend not to be.

The aftermarket unit might even outperform the original, although the originals worked very well IMO.

I wonder though, if the aftermarket you were quoted is equipped complete with the impeller. If not, you'll need to install one in good condition of course.

 

[Waterbug13]

All you parts are still available and you can get them on eBay or Amazon or a few other sites. I'm new to the jet boats and these pumps are easy to work on you can do it yourself if you are mechanically inclined at all. But if it's been in salt water be prepared for other parts to be replaced because they have corroded to each other. I just went threw this on mine and the stainless and aluminum will corrode together and I had to cut some of it apart. But it sounds like they already have it apart so all you need is hopefully what they said.