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Completely Locked Impeller on Shaft

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pantaloonz

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Good day,

I'm new here, long time DIY with a few nautical years under my belt now
The craft: 2001 - Seadoo RX DI - Just purchased 2 used.

Rode it a few times, ran fine. Started to make a whining sound around the impeller so I figured I'd check it out.

After the relatively easy disassembly, I found to my dismay an empty cone. No oil, no grease. The Cone/cap inner sleeve had actually melted in places and was damaged beyond repair.

I wasn't terribly worried; I had already purchased a build/repair kit with cap because I was pretty sure it was due. And I was going to go with pump oil in case the p.o. was using grease

That's when crap hit the fan, I could not free the impeller off the shaft. I viced it, I heated it, I cursed at it. To no avail. To ensure I wasn't losing my mind I took the jet pump off the other craft (which needs other service) and was able to take the impeller off with ease.

I know the shop manual says do not use impact/air tool but this is not normal. I drove in town to the garage I get my vehicle repaired, I'm friends with the mechanic. He put it on his vice and went after it with 1000ft/lb torque gun and it didn't budge.

The impeller slides back and forth about 3/4" and only spins freely when in the correct position. I figure all the bearing are completely toasted. But I've NEVER seen a prop stick to a shaft like this.

I was using the impeller remover tool just as the shop manual says.

Thoughts and suggestions are very much welcome. If I was able to get the impeller shaft to slide just a little more out I would have sawed the damn thing off :)

-Pantz
 
I had this happen once but after heating the area where the impeller tool goes with a torch for quite some time, it let go. Had to use a breaker bar with a 6ft cheater pipe. If its trashed, you might just have to find a good, used pump.
 
I've had a couple stubborn impeller's just as yours. And have taken a few off for local members here also. Here's what has worked for me.
Spray PB Blaster or w/d 40 down the impeller opening to flood the shaft threads and let it sit overnight.
Next day clamp the shaft to a vise. use a socket with a cheater bar and then a 6-8 ft. pipe over it. Slowly rock it back and forth tightening and loosening. The progress will be small each way to start, don't force it, once you feel some give go the opposite way. After a couple try's each way you should eventually feel it break. The vise/bench set up is the key. Has to be sturdy enough to take the pressure.
 
As others have said, sometimes an impact gun is worthless and this is one of them. Heat the impeller, hold the shaft in a strong vise and use a breaker bar and cheater pipe.

Also I am not sure on your statement about trying to remove the impeller with the pump still in the ski as this can't be done.
 
All,

Thank you to each person that has replied, these are thoughts that went through my head as well. I'm glad to see I was on the right trail, I can say that my setup was way less than ideal.

I redid the garage last year, and one thing I haven't done yet is to recreate my heavy duty locked down vice. I actually damaged the cheap table I had been using when I matched it against this monster.

To Mikidymac: not sure where I mentioned removing the impeller with the pump in the ski, sorry for any confusion, I did removed the entire assembly and that was the easy part!

To PWGsx: as noted above, I had a small little propane torch (one of those little pistol type jobbies), I heated the shaft for 5-10 minutes. But again the flame was dinky, but the entire prop got hot through conduction from the shaft, and the impeller tool came out very hot after a few attempts

To ACE: thank you for the tips, have you freed them all up in this method? And was either part, impeller and or impeller shaft useable after? :)

I could be looking at new(used) assembly as noted. I am going to continue to work this problem however as I'm new to PWC's and I'm using this pair as my learner's permit.

Thanks again,
Pantz.
 
Sorry, I now see you removed if from another craft, I thought you finally removed the pump, LOL.

You want to heat the impeller, not the shaft inside so the impeller expands. I use a standard propane torch with Mapp Gas.
 
Yes, so far this method has done the trick with everyone ive done, and hasnt hurt either part. Sounds like your setup at home wont cut it with that bad boy. Any machine shop or welding shop will have a sturdy vise, just take all the stuff and ask to use it. Shouldnt take more than 5-10 min. I doubt the'll charge you anything. I wouldnt
 
Yes, so far this method has done the trick with everyone ive done, and hasnt hurt either part. Sounds like your setup at home wont cut it with that bad boy. Any machine shop or welding shop will have a sturdy vise, just take all the stuff and ask to use it. Shouldnt take more than 5-10 min. I doubt the'll charge you anything. I wouldnt

You are too nice! Most shops these days will not touch anything unless you have cash and they are doing nothing.
 
All,

Thank you to each person that has replied, these are thoughts that went through my head as well. I'm glad to see I was on the right trail, I can say that my setup was way less than ideal.

I redid the garage last year, and one thing I haven't done yet is to recreate my heavy duty locked down vice. I actually damaged the cheap table I had been using when I matched it against this monster.

To Mikidymac: not sure where I mentioned removing the impeller with the pump in the ski, sorry for any confusion, I did removed the entire assembly and that was the easy part!

To PWGsx: as noted above, I had a small little propane torch (one of those little pistol type jobbies), I heated the shaft for 5-10 minutes. But again the flame was dinky, but the entire prop got hot through conduction from the shaft, and the impeller tool came out very hot after a few attempts

To ACE: thank you for the tips, have you freed them all up in this method? And was either part, impeller and or impeller shaft useable after? :)

I could be looking at new(used) assembly as noted. I am going to continue to work this problem however as I'm new to PWC's and I'm using this pair as my learner's permit.

Thanks again,
Pantz.

Did you break it loose yet? I was bending a 1/2" bar getting a hernia, what worked for me was to bust out the heavy stuff, try 3/4" hardened tools, with a 4-6 foot cheater bar and the biggest vice and heavy table you can find. I never thought my military installation Auto Hobby would have the tools but they did. It'll either break loose or twist the shaft in two. Same pain on those PTO flywheels, that why they're always sold with it still attached.
 
Hi All

No go .. YET..

Last night I laid two torches opposite each other on the center hub of the impeller. Let that heat up for 15
minutes. While that was heating up, I was securing the vice to my workbench (long overdue).

I'm a patient person, so I was laughing at what occurred next. My vice is old, it was nice and locked down, but now I can't get the vice swivel rod tight enough to prevent the head from swiveling when I apply the torque.. -- That actually made me laugh.

I'm only using 1/2" tools as well and my bar is only 18" long.

So I gotta find myself a good strong shop that would be willing to work with me. I did notice that there is the slightest give (a few mm) in each direction when I do apply good pressure. I can't get it to go further than that in either direction.

So I would estimate stronger tools, and a vice that WILL not move, will get this broken free.
Right now there is a pool of PB Blaster in the spline side. I was out of hydrochloric acid :)

Now's it's a gosh darn mission, that impeller is coming off, one way or t'other.
...
yes, I'm also looking for a compatible used one :)

-Pantz
 
Thanks All,

Not trying to bump the thread, but closing it out.

Had my local mechanic try and remove the impeller, (it's good to be friends with your mechanic)

He couldn't get it to budge, I have a used pump assembly on the way. I'm keep the old one around because I'll keep at it any time I need to get my ego knocked down a peg or two.

Just for closure, I did the jet pump rebuild, new impeller shaft, gaskets, o rings, wear ring, as well as did a rave valve rebuild (there was considerable carbon, but they cleaned up nice). Took the ski out, and it ran very very well. I was excited. This craft has a lot of hours on it (340) I'll decide on where I'm going next after I diagnose the #2 ski (with yet unknown engine issues)

thanks everyone,
-Pantz
 
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