97 Seadoo XP - New to Jet-Ski's and think I have Cavitation?

[Ryan Cassidy]

Hey All - New to Jet Ski's but have a Jet Boat (sorry Yamaha LOL) and a neighbor gave me a 1997 XP if I could get it running again. To which I did. I've got about 10hrs on it, fixed most everything wrong with it so it was 100% until about last weekend. I noticed it was a little slower out of the hole, top end was fine, engine runs great. But today, it won't get out of the hole unless the VTS is all the way down. It will just sit there and run FT. I have to put the VTS down to get her going again and then after that she's fine.

Does this sound like Cavitation? I've never experienced it before is why I'm asking and also curious as to what's the right solution.

Replace the Carbon Seal &
Replace the Wear Ring &
& anything else while I'm in there? I'm hoping to only go dig in the bowls one more time this summer

It does have an R&D intake grate, And I don't see any silicone around it or the ride plate. Yamaha's are notorious for cavitation if these areas aren't sealed properly. Is it the same with the XP or does the replacement list above address the issue better?

Many Thanks! This ski is an absolute blast and I'm itching to get it 100% and back on the water.

 

[Matt Braley]

If it's the carbon seal then you will see a substantial amount of water in the boat. It's most likely the wear ring. The get old and blow out in chunks.

 

[Ryan Cassidy]

No real water to speak of in the boat which is good... So probably not that. If I'm in there doing the wear ring.. Is it easy to do the carbon seal at all or would you just skip it and see what happens? Just trying to do this all at once..

Thanks for the quick reply. These forums have been very helpful (fixing gas gauge, speedo, etc etc)

 

[blairwill4]

No real water to speak of in the boat which is good... So probably not that. If I'm in there doing the wear ring.. Is it easy to do the carbon seal at all or would you just skip it and see what happens? Just trying to do this all at once..

Thanks for the quick reply. These forums have been very helpful (fixing gas gauge, speedo, etc etc)

I would skip the carbon seal. There is a trick to add a zip tie to the rubber boot on the carbon seal to help it out but if it isnt leaking im betting thats not the issue. Just take the pump off and I bet your wear ring is shot. There should be less than the thickness of a dime clearance in between wear ring and impellar. Also If you get a replacement ring make sure to get OEM not aftermarket. A lot of people have bad luck with aftermarket rings.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Probably the wear ring as the others have mentioned. Also it is common for the driveshaft splines to wear out and then the driveshaft slips. Normally not any real noise or weird vibration that comes with it. So if you look at the wear rind and it is good, then pull the pump and shaft.

When a carbon seal goes bad it doesn't always leak water, but more often than not it does.


Repairing and selling iPads, iPhones and Mini iPads.

 

[LouDoo]

I agree it's most likely the wear ring, and the good news is it's a fairly easy fix. Here's a thread on the subject.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?30720-How-To-Changing-Your-Wear-Ring

Lou

 

[Ryan Cassidy]

Thanks Everyone! I've purchased a wear ring and will hopefully tear into it later this week. It doesn't seem to hard and looks to be relatively easy to access everything.

I'll post how it goes.

 

[Ryan Cassidy]

Replaced the ring this past weekend. I was surprised on how easy it was. This was the first new ring on my 97 and it took just about an hour start to finish. Took her out, and cavitation gone. there were some pretty big chunks missing on the inside of the ring. All the seals and stuff inside the pump looked good too. Thanks again for everyones help!

 

[blairwill4]

Replaced the ring this past weekend. I was surprised on how easy it was. This was the first new ring on my 97 and it took just about an hour start to finish. Took her out, and cavitation gone. there were some pretty big chunks missing on the inside of the ring. All the seals and stuff inside the pump looked good too. Thanks again for everyones help!

Thats great to hear that its fixed! And thank you for reporting back to us with the results! Happy DOOing!