Seasoosnipe off season repairs...?

[seadoosnipe]

This year, I have a good bit of off season repairs to be made. I have got to pull the 787cc engine from my Challenger. I'll be doing an air test, checking my rotary valve clearance, inspecting the pistons, cleaning the RAVE's, lubricating the PTO hub, and a couple other small maintenance issues including rebuilding and airtest on a set of carbs.

I have just finished the repairs on my GTX tuned pipe. I took it off because the gasket was leaking at the top where it connects to the manifold. This ski has about 100 hours on it. When I was changing out the gasket, I noticed a small area around one of the caps for the heat exchanger that pre-heats the water before going into the head. I scraped it back with my scrib and found several areas where it was seeping water. This appears to either be caused by a un-experienced aluminum welder or bad design. I know, in the past, many members have faced this problem. This is the second time I have used the JB weld, it seems to be holding really great on the Challenger, which was done two years ago and now, the GTX.

I'm looking forward to trying something different this year for my off season work. As most of the long time members know, I always take pictures of what work I do and put it in the forum. This year, I wanted to try something different. I want to have live video using my web came. I plan to connect my web cam and set up my laptop in a way where you can watch what it is I'm doing. I will take breaks at certain areas of interest and point specific work to the camera. We'll be looking for things like the white crusted bolt seizing "aluminum oxide" rust.

This is going to be an event for the "Premium" members and a select few of the "jr." members who I will send a personal invitation to. They will be members who have been with the forum for at least one full season.

I want to also record this work to DVD and have it available to the Premium members, free of charge. You will only have to throw in a couple bucks to help me pay for postage. I have a good supply of DVD's I buy from "tigerdirect" for a cheap price, so postage is all I'll hope to get ya'll to cover. I will also mail these internationally. Standard members can also request a copy of the DVD which I will sale to them for a small price to cover costs. I have not got a price for this set yet but it will be equal too or less than the cost of a one month premium membership.

Anyone intereted will need to send me a PM with your request because I will have to bounce your membership off the forum's status board. When I get your request, I will send you a request from the MSN messenger site. The only way you can have cam access is to accept that invitation.

This is a new project I'm hoping to try so I'd love to see how many people are interested. I will send all members that sign up, the specific time so you'll be able to mark your calendar for the event. I will make every effort to do this on the weekend so as not to affect anyones work schedule.

I'm looking forward to trying this and hope it works out. I can say that my first task will be to pull the engine from the boat. This will take place in October. Either near the first of the month or the end, depending on how what kind of response I get.

This will be a sticky that you can vote on and feel free to leave your opinion or even suggestions that you may want to see performed. If it falls inline within the work I"m already doing, I'll be happy to stop at that point and go over what it is your looking to see. Feel free to make any reply you like........................:cheers:

 

[Chester]

...When I was changing out the gasket, I noticed a small area around one of the caps for the heat exchanger that pre-heats the water before going into the head...

Could you please post a picture of the heat exchanger that you have and how you installed it? I've never heard of anyone using one. Does it help performance?

Chester

 

[scooper77515]

I have already done a couple of live video conferences with Snipe, and these repairs could be VERY informative and entertaining (ie. humorous:cheers

 

[seadoosnipe]

Heat exchanger?....

Could you please post a picture of the heat exchanger that you have and how you installed it? I've never heard of anyone using one. Does it help performance?

Chester

Chester, I may have been a bit quick to use the word "heat exchanger" in this setting. In engineering terms, any vessel that is used to move a fluid or gas in one direction that is a different temperature than the one passing it, is determined a heat exchanger.

I am referring to our tuned pipes. The tuned pipe is, in essence a heat exchanger. Water comes in at the lower end at a cooler temperature. The exhaust gases come in at the opposite direction at a higher temperature. The exhaust gases, when used to pre-heat our cooling water becomes cooler on exit and the cooling water becomes warmer before entering the engine. So, it technically becomes known as a form of heat exchanger.

I'll remember in the future to better describ what it is I'm doing so I don't confuse anyone.

Chester, I also want to send you a PM. It's being written now..........:cheers:

 

[Ruff Cut]

sounds great

For a newbie like me the videos would be great !!!

 

[kustomkarl]

Bump...back to the top... ^

Karl

 

[seadoosnipe]

Msn....

I just took the GTX off the trailer and will be starting work on it within the next few days. It will probably be the first thing I try to send out on the web cam.

Right now, I have the ski on blocks with the nose in the air, about 45* so I can get to the bottom. I'll be compounding it out and if it's necessary, sanding and re-doing some of the deeper gouges in my gel coat (the ones I got from the oyster shells at this beach I visited in Florida!).

I'll also be working my bunks on the trailer.

The first real mechanical work I'll be doing and putting on the cam are the pump bearings and shaft. I think I mentioned the shaft on the GTX in the past. I found the forward bearing ran a bit without good oiling, so it's worn a groove into the shaft. This stuff is on order from www.seadoowarehouse.com. When it comes in, I'll be getting started.

The only special tool we'll need for changing the bearings and pump is the impeller removal tool. My impeller is in great shape, so it'll be left as is. I will demonstrate how to replace and measure clearance on the axial flow pumps the "McGyver" way. Which, when you see the procedure, I think you'll agree my method of measuring the clearance is fine for this application.........

I look forward to giving this a try. Though I'll have a cam and microphone, all you'll need is the MSN software. I'll have the link here in my avatar, so all you'll have to do is click and request to view. I will try and answer "type" written questions as time permits. But, for the most part, it'll be set up for you to see first hand, how this work is done. I will also on occasion, use the web cam to push it close so you can see it up front and personal.

I see a few have already expressed interest in viewing my off season fun. I hope it all works out and like I said, I will be sending out the invites at least 2 or 3 days ahead of the time I plan on doing the work............:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

MSN live

I have now listed MSN live as my web cam provider. I will have to experiment with this, since I"m new to the world of chat. I have a couple contacts that I share with members here in the forum but have never tried a mass broadcast. The turnout looks to be fairly good so I'll look forward to starting my work soon.

I'll keep the thread posted with times.

Right now, I have my GTX off the trailer, standing on end because I want to compound my hull. After this, I will start my work on the 787cc. Send me a message via MSN live that you would like to pick up on the cam and I'll add you to my list of cantacts...............:cheers:

 

[D 5UPE]

Could you place some of your tips on Youtube Lou.
And maybe have a selected private audience, so as you dont get idiots posting daft comments.

Just the time difference for me and others interested would be awkward.:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

You tube?....

Could you place some of your tips on Youtube Lou.
And maybe have a selected private audience, so as you dont get idiots posting daft comments.

Just the time difference for me and others interested would be awkward.:cheers:

Dave, I've never really used YouTube. So, I'm not familar with it at all.

I will be recording this as well, burning the work to DVD. At the moment, I hope to be able to send the DVD's out to all premium members who want a copy but I don't know if I can afford to do it. It will depend on how many requests I get.

I have a good source for the DVD's, about a nickel a piece. The expense will be to mail them out.

I have to reiterate, this is really an experiment at this time. I have no idea how well it's going to work out.

I now have the MSN chat client in my avatar. I have created a group block in the messenger service. It states I can have up to 20 members online at one time. So, it will def be first come, first serve. Though Premium members will be first served, all members will have the chance to see the cam as long as there is space available.

You will see I have the icon in my avatar. I would not wait till the last minute to submit a request to view the cam. Click on it and send it now, so I can have you set up. I will not be setting up any new members the day I am going to do the work..........

I'm setting up to pull the engine from the Challenger in October. Hopefully, the first week or just there after. I have ordered a set of bearings and shaft for my pump on the GTX. That will probably be my first broadcast to the internet....................Lets hope this works out!....:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

MSN live and web cam....

It seems, that link in my avatar doesn't exactly set you up to contact me. I have had a few members PM me and say they are trying to hook up.

If you have MSN live, you can send me a direct request to join my forum cam group by sending it to ...... seadoosnipe@live.com

I do not make it a habit to turn that thing on all the time but will be looking at least once a day for people who are looking to view the cam while I perform some of my winter work.

The group will only allow me 20 people at a time. Premium members will have priorty but any one can request to view. If I only have 9 peremium members in, then 11 jr. members will have the option of viewing too.........

The biggest thing I want to show is my pump rebuild. I will be showing you how to change out your bearings without using the special tools. The only tool I have is the impeller removal tool............if I had a spare drive shaft, I would have cut it and used it with a pipe wrench, ....but, I don't have one.:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

Broadcast web cam?

I've got a few signed up for this caming thing but not having much luck in getting more than one member at a time set up for viewing. My pump parts just came in and yhe GTXis in the shop. If I can't figure it out, I will record the work to DVD andgladly send this out to members who want it. That might be better since I caan also edit it to condense it so it's not 2 hours long.

I'll keep tryin with the cam.....:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

Group services....

Well, the group I have set up for the MSN live is coming along. The site will allow me 20 members at one time online. I have about 6 signed up now. I have had problems getting it started but think I have figured it out.

If you'd like to participate, please send me your MSN live username to me via PM. I will use that username to send you an invite to the group.

I have my GTX hanging from the ceiling of my garage while I do the bottom hull. Right now, I'm trying to compound all the scratches out of it and get about 5 coats of polish on it. I have my laptop out there but so far, have not broadcast anything.

The parts for my pump are here. So, the pump on the GTX will be removed when I am finished with the hull. I am going to do the bearings the "McGyver" way to show you really do not need any special tools (though they do make it a bit easier). My impeller is new (solas concord) and my wearing ring is tight, so the job will be bearings and shaft only. I will also show you the bottle of "polyolester" oil I use for my pump instead of ordering that expensive Bombardier pump oil..................so, keep up with the thread. Send me your MSN live username address..............:cheers:

 

[Chester]

Chester, I may have been a bit quick to use the word "heat exchanger" in this setting. In engineering terms, any vessel that is used to move a fluid or gas in one direction that is a different temperature than the one passing it, is determined a heat exchanger.

I am referring to our tuned pipes. The tuned pipe is, in essence a heat exchanger. Water comes in at the lower end at a cooler temperature. The exhaust gases come in at the opposite direction at a higher temperature. The exhaust gases, when used to pre-heat our cooling water becomes cooler on exit and the cooling water becomes warmer before entering the engine. So, it technically becomes known as a form of heat exchanger.

I'll remember in the future to better describ what it is I'm doing so I don't confuse anyone.

Chester, I also want to send you a PM. It's being written now..........:cheers:

OK I understand. But then, you can call almost every part of the engine a heat exchanger. The water first enters the head (a heat exchanger) then it goes through the exhaust headpipe (a heat exchanger) then it goes through the exhaust manifold (a heat exchanger) then it goes through the cylinders (a heat exchanger) then through the head again and out. When I refer to a Sea-Doo heat exchanger, I'm talking about the ride plate on the 4-tec models. :cheers:

Chester

 

[seadoosnipe]

Heat exchangers....?

A heat exchanger is a device built for efficient heat transfer from one medium to another, whether the media are separated by a solid wall so that they never mix, or the media are in direct contact with each other.

The ride plate is actually known as a "spiral" heat exchanger and the one used to preheat water before it goes into the heads of the 2 strokes is called a "tubular" heat exchanger.

The other parts of the engine you named aren't technically designed as heat exchangers. We all know what they do, the water circulating around the cylinders to keep them from over heating but in the technical sense, they are not heat exchangers.


I attached two pics of the types most often associated with the Rotax engines.

 

[Mirage]

Web cam link... Is this a go or a no??? I'd love to see this, hope it's a go!!!

 

[Chester]

Actually, the water goes through the head before it enters the headpipe.

Chester

 

[seadoosnipe]

Correct....

Your right. The water makes it's first pass across the top of the head. This was done intentionally by the Rotax R&D to help prevent detonation.

Mirage.........I'm still working on the web cam link. I think I'm going to do a pump rebuild on the GTX first. It looks like it will be in the first weeks of October. I was going to do it this weekend but the girls want to go tubing.

I also only have a few members signed up. If you want to get in on the deal, you need to send me your MSN live ID so I can send you a request. The room I created has a 20 person capacity. I'm probably going to give it a try with 3 or 4 at a time this coming week with some of my closest friends, or any that might be online at the time. I'm not really into web chat or cam so it's going to be a different experience.

I'm also going to put it on DVD. I recorded a pump removal, maintenance and re-install last year but didn't like the way my voice sounded on tape so I dumped it. I got to get over that part of it because it was a pretty good vid. I used a tri-pod while I did the work.........

You can add me to your MSN live account too. My username is seadoosnipe@live.com ......I'll be coming back to this thread when I'm setting up to do the work and either posting here or I'll send email directly to your home account.............:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

Pump rebuild!

The pump rebuild for my 1997 GTX will be my first attempt at a broadcast. The voter turnout has been 100% positive but there have been very few to send me an invitation to view the camera.

If you are having a hard time getting through, you can send me a PM with your windows live address and I'll add you to the group.

I am also going to set my video camera up on tri-pod for those that want a copy and cannot be around at a moments notice to watch the work live.

I still do not know how well the "web cam" broadcast is going to work. I've never done anything like this before. I just wanted to share and show members how to rebuild their pumps without all those special tools that they require in the shop manual

At the moment, it appears this rebuild on my pump will take place on Wednesday or Thrusday. That's because I'm finding out that trying to do this on the weekend, when my kids are home, will be impossible.

When I finish the video, I'll have to run it through my computer vide capture so I can edit, hopefully to help in identifying parts........

I want to keep the price as low as possible, shipping and handling and a buck or two for my labor at the computer and the cost of the DVD's. I figure it will be about $10 dollars...........maybe lower. I actually want to go to the post office and find out how much their CD mailing packages cost before I can tell you how much it will end up costing me................:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

Pump Removal...?

O.K.....I think I've got some concrete times if all happens as planned.

I will set up on Thursday about an hour before I start working so I can set up the web cam and see how it's going to work. I'll also be signing up last minute requests for the MSN live service.

I want to start the work on the pump around 10ish, central time.

I took this pump off for maintenance and a new impeller about 2 months ago. That's when I discovered the forward bearings and the shaft itself had been worn. I bought the ski around June, so there have been some bugs I've had to work out on it.......

If I can start by 10, I will be able to demonstrate the pump removal, take out the impeller and drop the shaft. I'll remove the bearings. I cleaned the oil reservoir and put in new oil when I discovered the problems with the bearings and shaft so cleaning shouldn't take much time either. Then, I'll reassemble the pump.

Time permitting, I'll put the pump back on the ski. If not, it's simply done in the reverse order of removal......See ya Thursday! :cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

MSN online...

It's almost 9 a.m. central time and I"m getting ready for the start of my work on the GTX pump and bearings. I have a few members who have requested the invite but have room for others.

Now is the time to send a request if you would like to view the work being done, if you have not already done so. All members are welcome to attend.

This is a first for the forum and I hope I can pull this off. I think I'm a bit computer savvy but most certainly sure, I'm no guru. So if all works out, this will be fun and hopefully, the start to somthing new for the forum.:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

Work started...

The work on pulling the jet pump and replacing the bearings and shaft has started. I waited around for a bit for last minute straglers.....

It's about 10:45 central time. I am video taping also so it will be available at a later date, when I have it transfered to DVD.....

I'll be out of the forum while doing this work but hopefully, back up later this afternoon with some pix and updates on my pump work.:cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

Wearing ring...

Well, after getting the pump off, I found a hole in my wearing ring. It's oval shaped, about 3/8" by 1/2". I do not have another ring in my work shop so I stopped after pushing the bearings out. I did get some pretty good shots in my recordings though. I'll be editing this thread with them soon.......

 

[seadoosnipe]

Pictures of pump removal?

Well, you live and learn.

I tried to do a web link for all to watch me remove the pump and replace bearings in my GTX. I have two vids of this being done. One was with my web cam, which came out fuzzy and the other was with my vid cam.

I have not forgot my intent on showing you guys about this job. I did not have the video capture device for my camera, since it's obvious that I can't use my web vids........

I hope to be posting some pix very soon in this thread on the removal and repair of my pump. It is back together right now and I took it out for a ride today, ran great!...............:cheers:

 

[timmyboy76]

cartoons...

well Snipe, if you post enuf pics, we can all, thumb threw them fast enough, to make it look, its in action....:hat:, :cheers: