New to me 97 challenger 110hp. Slow out of the hole and low top speed

[Kalkake]

Just picked up a 97' seadoo challenger with a single 110hp rotax. Boat is in great condition, fires right up. Took it out 2 days ago to the lake and have an issue with it coming out of the hole. I can punch the throttle and it revs right up to 6500-6800 rpm and the boat starts to move foward, but just doesn't "grab" in the water. Likes its slipping. But after 3-6 seconds it's grabs and gets up on plane. Once up I can get it up to about 38mph with 2 people on smooth water. Motor sounds great, rpms hold at the 6800 rpm mark but can't get over 38mph. I have attached a few photos of the impeller from the intake side. There does seem to be a slight Ridge or the wear ring, but can't tell if it's normal or worn.

I have read quite a few posts on here and other forums about the wear rings, damaged impellers sucking air through the bottom plate or the carbon ring.

Just looking for a few "pros" to chime in and give advice. It looks fairly straight forward to rebuild the pump, but don't want to be chasing my tail if it's something simple.

Thanks in advance!
Jason

 

[Kalkake]

Can't upload pix for some reason .. I will post them and link them in.

 

[WhiskeyD]

Sounds like you need a new wear ring. They are pretty easy to install

 

[Kalkake]

http://www.myfastback.com/Pix/impeller1.jpg
http://www.myfastback.com/Pix/impeller2.jpg

 

[Kalkake]

Also, not sure what the fiber material is at the edge of the impeller.....

 

[howie099]

The ring looks pretty good. It is one of those are plastic deralite or something like that. The foam looks like part of the foam gasket you put around the pump when you mount it. Looks like it moved some and it breaking apart. I would look at the carbone ring for it sucking in air. You can tell the wear rings are pretty new I don't see them scratched up much.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I think I am looking at it differently than Howie,,,

I think the white part is the Wear ring,, and if so, it is DESTROYED...

It needs replaced.

 

[howie099]

The OEM ones are usually the yellowish fiberglass underneath not brite white. That rings looks exactly like the one I have on the 95 GTX. I see that swirl impeller almost rubbing the wear ring in certain spots. I could be wrongs since I can't see the whole wear ring. You could of knocked off all the rubber coating from the OEM one but I would except to see some of it left. That thing looks as smooth as a baby's butt. The pic to me looks like the whole thing it bright white. If that is an OEM ring I can't believe the boat even moves..

 

[jhjesse]

My vote is a SBT delrin wear ring (white) with a neoprene seal that was improperly installed.

FWIW, I run them in all my skis and boat with excellent results.

I would pull the pump and replace the neoprene seal, shaft seal, carbon seal and bellows. Oh yeah and change the pump oil.
Doc Honda had one of these boats and He installed an aftermarket impeller to keep the pump loaded better. Might PM Him and ask what He installed.

 

[Kalkake]

What kind of top speed can I expect with this boat?

I am going to order all the parts today from SBT to do a complete rebuild. I looked at the impeller on the 2nd jet pump I have and it looks like it is in good condition, so I am going to put it on first to see how it runs.

 

[howie099]

well you should get close to 50 with certain conditions like how many people and how smooth the water is. I wouldn't order the drive line parts (carbone seals and boot) from SBT. I would get them for OSD parts. They sell the the best OEM ones out there for about $75 a pump. SBT is just aftermarket ones that don't last and perform as well.

 

[jhjesse]

well you should get close to 50 with certain conditions like how many people and how smooth the water is. I wouldn't order the drive line parts (carbone seals and boot) from SBT. I would get them for OSD parts. They sell the the best OEM ones out there for about $75 a pump. SBT is just aftermarket ones that don't last and perform as well.

Yes I would agree except for the wear rings. They are solid delrin and not layered as the OEM rings. I have had great results from them so far, but that is only my opinion.

 

[Kalkake]

So, pulled everything apart. Used the freezer method to pull the old wear ring out. Worked great. Pulled the shafts apart? Put in to new wear ring and bearings and seal. The impeller I had as an extra turns out is not the same so I am going to have to get another one. The issue I have is with either impeller the impeller hits the wear ring on 1 section towards the inside of the pump. It is leaving a small groove as I try and spin the impeller. I have rotated the impeller to verify it's not 1 bend blade, and like I said tried both impellers I have. Both hit the same place. Is this normal and I just need to let the impeller "seat" into the wear ring or do I have another issue?

Also looking at a solas impeller because I think I can get one by this Thursday and be on the lake this weekend...


Thoughts?