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Switching to a Fixed Grate

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henryb

henryb

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I have a Hydro-Surge grate in my 2000 Challenger 1800 M2-210. It swallowed up more debris last year then my Polaris SLT-780 pwc has in 10 years! So, based on various posts and discussions, I think the fixed grate is the way to go.

Now I've been keeping an eye out for one online all winter long, but not one used has popped up... does anybody know where I can find one.... please let me know. I would like to get it before April, when I will be doing some work on the boat, such as changing to an offset nozzle (thanks to RiverPro), perfect time to swap the grate as well.

Thanks,
 
I have put a "search with notify" in ebay for Seadoo Challenger 1800 intake grate... but have not seen anything come up as yet. If anybody has a fixed grate for a Mercury Jet, then let me know. I'm hoping to get it installed sometime in April... THX.
 
That's right, don't do your ebay search by Seadoo Challenger grate. Search by Mercury Sportjet grate or the Mercury part number. They will come up more often as the part number is molded into the grate. I could be wrong though. That's how I found my grate online.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for the tip ... I did have the part number listed in the search... But I will do another one with Mercury grate + part number.


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Ouch, the Stainless 12 tine rock Grates are out there, but well over $200 at Boats.net and just under $200 on Ebay
854810T

I do see the Aluminum Intake Grate (852962T) for $125 or best offer on Ebay now though. But that is from the UK with $40 for shipping.

That's what I put in, and it has been working great for me. (no pun intended)
 
Ah ha, I was using eBay.ca and it generates slightly different results. Good tip to check both the U.S. Version as well as Canadian. Thanks again... I will keep looking for a SS Rock Grate and I think I would like to try that mod to remove some splines to increase flow.


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There is a brand new one on eBay for $175 including shipping. Thats a bit steep - I think I paid 115 for a used one from eBay. I searched for "852962T". Whether you go aluminum or stainless, the frustration you'll prevent is worth the $ spent! Good Luck!
 
Got a Rock Grate directly from Mercury... On sale for $167(CDN)... However mechanic broke one of the 4 bolts taking the old hydro-surge grate out... Is using 3 going to be good enough?


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That is a good question, they said they don't have the tools to do it. And they gave me the option to take it to a machine shop across town, where I could pay for them to remove it... Estimated $150, I said forget it and just use 3 bolts. Don't you think it should be there responsibility to make that repair, not mine? Opinions?


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I've talked to a few guys and apparently it is reasonable for them to charge a fee to remove that broken bolt. Especially if they have to farm it out to a machine shop! So I guess 3 bolts will have to do the job for the time being.


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I just couldn't live knowing I had only three screws. It would drive me nuts. LOL


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Coastiejoe said:
I just couldn't live knowing I had only three screws. It would drive me nuts. LOL


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Click to expand...


Pun intended! HA.

They need to fix their mistake, unless it was broken when you took it in there, which I doubt.

You can always lean on the fact that you took it to them in the first place for that reason in case something went wrong. Otherwise, why else would someone pay a mechanic for a 5-minute job. Don't take that the wrong way, as you may not have had the tools etc, but this literally is a 5 minute job.

They need to make it right, even if they have to eat the cost. It broke while they were working on it.

Good luck!
 
Rock Grate finally installed, unfortunately it was a bit more then they originally estimated. Will get that 4th bolt drilled out next time the boat is into the marina for work (thinking it needs a new wear-ring and impeller, mechanic reported a few scar's on the ring and chips on the impeller). All that being said, new oil in stator and gear box seemed to do the performance quite well... Max rpm now up to 5600, and top speed 47mph. Running great!


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Absolutely, I paid $270 (CDN), for my Rock Grate... So if anyone is thinking about switching from the Hydro-Surge to a fixed grate... You should grab it quick!

I highly recommend it... This year not one rope, burlap bag, rock or anything has been sucked up... Last year it was nearly every time out, I got something caught in the impeller!


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Lol, well surprisingly, I'm on one of the cleanest waterways in Canada... The Rideau Canal... Probably it's so clean because I sucked up all of the debris last year!!! Lol


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The "springs" get old and tired, thus letting the hinge open way too easy and thus letting virtually anything you drive over into the impeller.


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It's not just the weak spring (over time) but eventually... the tines will crack, and break off. The issue there is... it gets sucked right into the pump.

I kind of like the "Hydrosurge" grate... but it just needs to be replaced after 6~8 years.
 
Yup, the hydrosurge was a good idea without knowing the long-term effects or damage it could cause if it failed. I have just learned to dive in if I really load up the weeds now that I have a fixed grate. I would rather do that than do impeller and pump repair.

Jeff from CobraJet posted his trick for clearing weeds on another forum. He puts his waverunners in reverse hard to get the momentum of the boat going backwards, then kills the engine and throws it quickly into forward with the engine off. This opens the bucket and allows water to flow backwards through the pump. This will many times blow out weeds plugging the grate and pump.

The last times I pulled enough weeks to cavitate, they were light and could have been removed with this procedure. I will give it a shot the next time out.
 
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