Flip the wear ring

[SD_Challenger]

I read somewhere that you can pull the wear ring, flip it, and put it back in. Is there any truth to that? I just bought a 2012 C180 215 and it is cavitating over 6K RPM. I checked for blockage and can’t see anything. I did notice lots of white corrosion on the intake grate. Can that cause the issue? Is there anything besides the impeller or wear ring that can be causing this.

 

[Digdog]

The carbon ring seal, very common actually. Does water get inside when it is just sitting? A worn wear ring would not cause cavitation, just bad performance. lots of articles about carbon rings here.

 

[SD_Challenger]

I wanted to know about flipping the wear ring, not the carbon seal. Thanks for that tip.

 

[JPass]

I wanted to know about flipping the wear ring, not the carbon seal. Thanks for that tip.

What he was telling you was that a bad carbon seal could create cavitation causing the symptoms you're describing. A way to tell if your seal is bad is if the boat takes on water while sitting.

 

[wrench2ride]

ride shoe not sealed properly can cause cavitation too

 

[SD_Challenger]

I wanted to know about flipping the wear ring, not the carbon seal. Thanks for that tip.

What he was telling you was that a bad carbon seal could create cavitation causing the symptoms you're describing. A way to tell if your seal is bad is if the boat takes on water while sitting.

Okay, gotcha, now I understand. Thanks. I just hope it isn’t my carbon seal. Those look like a PITA to change.

 

[Digdog]

Okay, gotcha, now I understand. Thanks. I just hope it isn’t my carbon seal. Those look like a PITA to change.

They are absolutely a pain to change, but it is an item you really have to watch all the time on Seadoo's. The minute you have cavitation is the signal of a problem with it, that side of the pump is under vacuum when running and if it is failed get a new boot also to get the proper seal force pressure back. There are many videos on *outube showing how to change it.

 

[SD_Challenger]

So I flipped my wear ring and the problem all but went away. Way more power, but still revs fast with little movement when I go to full throttle from just idle, I can ease it up to full throttle and it is just fine. I’m not sure if It was cavitation or something else. I’m ordering a new wear ring on Monday.

I tried to check the carbon seal, and couldn’t see anything leaking. I already have water in my bilge from washing it out, so it is hard to tell. I’m not a fan of the way the Nigerian is designed, seems way to hard to drain the boat complex. When would it leak the most? Just sitting there with the engine off, during idle, or a some other RPM?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Chester]

It's always best to do the job properly the first time. A worn wear ring will definitely cause it to cavitate and flipping it doesn't really help much, as the impeller will still ride in part of the worn section.

Chester

 

[SD_Challenger]

I agree with you Chester, but unfortunately I didn’t know what job needed to be done. Further up in the post, I was told bad wear rings don’t cause cavitation and that I should check the carbon seal. With this information I needed further trouble shooting. Flipping my wear ring confirmed what that right job is. There is also the issue that my local dealer doesn’t carry the parts I need. Flipping the ring helped me to determine what part I need to order....

 

[pvamax]

As you found, the wear ring flipped does make a difference. The impeller does run in a new spot. Best bet is still a new OEM wear ring. Even with that though, you might not have luck with WOT launch and zero cavitation. As mentioned the carbon ring and ride plate seal can cause issues too. But the main issue is a 2000lb boat with a single jet pump made for a sub 1000lb ski. You need everything PERFECT to get near zero cavitation from idle with that combination and you might spend your whole summer searching for it instead of easing into the throttle for 1 second til shes moving.

 

[SD_Challenger]

New wear ring is on order, I’ll change it once it gets in. Is it possible to get a cavitation free WOT launch, or do the 18’ single engine boats always do this?

 

[Chester]

Make sure you get an OEM wear ring. Post some pictures of the impeller too please.

Chester

 

[C9R0J0]

New wear ring is on order, I’ll change it once it gets in. Is it possible to get a cavitation free WOT launch, or do the 18’ single engine boats always do this?

I have a 2006 180 and from idle the stock impeller cavitates as you describe with rapid full throttle application. The Solas 13/18 or 14/19 do not. So it's certainly not something that all 180's do. That said, my hull always gets a little bit or water in it and I haven't bothered to investigate. Possibly a new carbon seal would cure this leak and the slight cavitation with the stock impeller.

 

[wrench2ride]

I have a 2006 180 and from idle the stock impeller cavitates as you describe with rapid full throttle application. The Solas 13/18 or 14/19 do not. So it's certainly not something that all 180's do. That said, my hull always gets a little bit or water in it and I haven't bothered to investigate. Possibly a new carbon seal would cure this leak and the slight cavitation with the stock impeller.

it could help to replace the carbon seal but I would fill the hull with water and see if you find it leaking or other leaks, just don't fill it past your air intake. fix your water leak before it becomes a bigger problem regardless if it is cavitating or not

 

[C9R0J0]

it could help to replace the carbon seal but I would fill the hull with water and see if you find it leaking or other leaks, just don't fill it past your air intake. fix your water leak before it becomes a bigger problem regardless if it is cavitating or not

I should yes. I guess my excuse is that every boat I've ever own has leaked somewhat, so to me it seems normal. They've all been aluminum boats though. This is my first glass boat and I suppose they really shouldn't be leaking haha. I suspect it could be from the ICS cable. I removed the ICS grate, but the cable is still there. Looks like it would create more of a problem to pull it out than to leave it there.

 

[SD_Challenger]

ride shoe not sealed properly can cause cavitation too

What exactly is the ride shoe? Is that the same as the ride plate?

 

[wrench2ride]

What exactly is the ride shoe? Is that the same as the ride plate?

yes, same thing different name....