New wear ring & impeller - Pump now very tight

[st0k3d]

Hey all,

This morning I installed a new wear ring (aftermarket) and Skat-trak swirl impeller I got from Impros.com. My boat is a 2001 Sporter LE with the 155mm pump that uses the rubber seal instead of neoprene seal. Another thing of interest is there are two sets of 2 screws that hold the wear ring in place. I have never done it before but it seemed straight forward. Well now the pump is together and I have a couple questions.

1. The new wear ring just dropped into place like a hot dog in a hallway. I see everyone talking about hammering it in etc. That concerned me.

2. With the wear ring installed, I drilled a couple shallow holes and put the screws in place. (although I think I should screw them deeper) Now with the new impeller installed it does not turn smoothly at all. The issue is the impeller rubbing on the wear ring. If I insert the impeller tool and use a ratchet to turn the impeller, it will go, but with some effort. I definitely cannot spin it by hand.

I called Impro's and they said just check the set screws to make sure they aren't pushing in, otherwise it will "wear itself" in. I am thinking they are right, but I wanted to hear it from a couple other people before I throw the pump back in.

What do you guys think?

Here are some pictures

Set screws

 

[Dr Honda]

That's the problem with the aftermarket rings. It should be a light press fit. Sounds like that one shrunk a little during cooling.

They are right... you can spry it down with some soapy water, or WD-40, and start the engine... and it will clearance itself. BUT... if it's very loose in the housing... it may spin.

Did you torque the impeller down, onto the shaft yet? It's possible that you pinched that thrust washer. You can try to loosen the impeller a bit, and see if it smooths out. If it does... make sure the thrust washer is in place, then re-tighten. If it doesn't... then it's just tight in the ring.

 

[st0k3d]

That's the problem with the aftermarket rings. It should be a light press fit. Sounds like that one shrunk a little during cooling.

They are right... you can spry it down with some soapy water, or WD-40, and start the engine... and it will clearance itself. BUT... if it's very loose in the housing... it may spin.

Did you torque the impeller down, onto the shaft yet? It's possible that you pinched that thrust washer. You can try to loosen the impeller a bit, and see if it smooths out. If it does... make sure the thrust washer is in place, then re-tighten. If it doesn't... then it's just tight in the ring.

I was hoping you would respond.

The screws should hold the ring in place from spinning. The ring didn't spin when I spun it with the socket. I also used the Loctite 648 that the book spec'd to coat the outside of the ring with.

I checked everything over again tonight, seems to be just a tight fit. I sprayed the ring down with WD and put the pump back in.

I had to spin the housing with the impeller to get it on the shaft but it threaded on nice. It was tight before it bottomed so I know its not the seal, and it spins smooth but very stiff, if that makes sense.

I ended up putting the boat back together and I am going to test this weekend. Wish me luck. I will update.

 

[Dr Honda]

Try to start it on the trailer. (with WD-40) If it's too tight... the starter may not spin it. You don't want to get to the lake, and find out that it won't start.

 

[st0k3d]

I thought that, but I also just did the carbon seal at the same time, and was told it wasn't good to start it without it getting it wet first... I guess I could try with the plug wires off for just a second.

Fortunately I just put a brand new SBT starter in it last week.

 

[Dr Honda]

Fortunately I just put a brand new SBT starter in it last week.

If you want to say that. Not to put a damper on things... but the import starters all suck. I hope you kept your factory starter. Replacing the brushes, and cleaning the OEM starter is always better.

Yes... the carbon seal needs a little water on it. Just lift the cover, push it open a little... and spray it down with soapy water. (NOT WD-40) You only need to start it for a couple seconds, to clearance the ring.

 

[st0k3d]

If you want to say that. Not to put a damper on things... but the import starters all suck. I hope you kept your factory starter. Replacing the brushes, and cleaning the OEM starter is always better.

FML. Mine was all rusty and what not, I was going to bring it to a starter shop, than changed my mind. Its around somewhere, I guess Ill keep it in a box just in case..

 

[Dr Honda]

Well.... if it's rotten, then that's a different story.

Anyway... on this forum... we've seen the import starters last anywhere from a single start, to (at best) a season. Most of the time, when they fail... it's ugly. At the beginning of the summer, someone posted pics of an import starter than broke the armature in 2 places.

 

[st0k3d]

It almost didn't start, I thought damn Dr. Honda was right, took a few cranks and a few seconds of cranking, it also sounded funny, which felt like an eternity, than she fired up and the pump rattled to life.

I looked in the back of the pump and there is a bunch of plastic dust, I guess the impeller showed that wear ring who is boss. :thumbsup:

Water test tomorrow morning.

 

[st0k3d]

Holy crap. Night and day difference. Boat is 100x better. It performs better in every way. Worth every penny. I will replace my wear ring every season.

 

[rotaxrule1]

Replacing Every season is a little overkill, unless you drive it close to the beach alot (which is bad) It should stay within spec for at least a few years with proper care.