Lock up mystery

[Colseadoo1955]

Getting near the end of my ground up 1997 GSI rebuild. Was going to have the 717 motor rebuilt but a spin over before I removed it indicated 150 compression in each cylinder so I left it, concentrating on everything else including having the jet pump rebuilt. Got it back, installed it along with the driveshaft new boots and seals. I went to hand spin the motor over to get that rear balancer grease fitting up and the thing was locked up. My first thought was maybe the pump itself was locked up as I didn't spin it over before bolting it on. Took it back off and it seemed normal. Removed the driveshaft again and then the motor rotates freely, again. I'm thinking it must be some sort of alignment issue. There were two shims on each side of the rear engine mounts that fell out when I pulled the motor but they're different thicknesses and I may have gotten them switched. Haven't attempted to swap them yet and just wonder if anyone has run into something like this. Thanks sincerely.

 

[WhiskeyD]

Probably the crush washer / bearing in jet pump shifted during reassembly and is binding when the pump is tightened to hull.

 

[Colseadoo1955]

I had the pump rebuilt professionally and it spins freely. I/m looking at the driveshaft binding somehow and have come up with a couple observations. 1st, the driveshaft parts explosion on the online free manual shows 2 number 15 parts that go on each end of the driveshaft but does not indicate what these are and any particulars. 2nd, I took the liberty of using a small round mirror and taking a photo of the inside of the PTO (rear of crankshaft). When it is zoomed, it doesn't look right and I'm thinking the shaft is not inserting all the way. Help is appreciated.

 

[mredfield]

I had a similar experience after replacing the wear ring on my 96xp. The driveshaft was binding up after I tightened the plastic pump housing to the hull. I found a small amount of dried silicone still on the mating surface where the pump meets the hull. Once I removed that, it went together fine. I still had to be careful to torque the nuts equally to keep the impeller from rubbing excessively on the wear ring.
Good luck!

 

[WhiskeyD]

The gap on your driveshaft to pump is from the missing rubber boot.

Theres rubber bumpers on each end of drive shaft.

The pump will spin and only binds when tightened down. I've seen it many of times. If the thru Hull bearing / carbon seal is way out of alignment it can bind as well. Did you use an alignment tool? Pump or shoe could be off if you dissemabeld whole ski.

 

[Colseadoo1955]

I think my number 15 parts are both rubber stoppers of some sort and I think the front one has come apart and is clogging up the opening on the end of the crankshaft (or PTO if you will). Not sure what these rubber stoppers are even for.

 

[WhiskeyD]

I think my number 15 parts are both rubber stoppers of some sort and I think the front one has come apart and is clogging up the opening on the end of the crankshaft (or PTO if you will). Not sure what these rubber stoppers are even for.

Could be, the bumpers slip off pretty easy. Clean out PTO and impeller and make sure there's nothing in there. Add grease back and try again

 

[Colseadoo1955]

Could be, the bumpers slip off pretty easy. Clean out PTO and impeller and make sure there's nothing in there. Add grease back and try again

Thanks sincerely! Too hot today. Will give it a go early tomorrow AM.