Rocks and impellers

hudsonriverrider · 06-03-2009, 12:00 AM

I'm worried and concerned. Sunday I went out for my usual ride and decided to pull over to my favorite beach. Unfortunatly I wasn't paying close enough attention to where I was going an missed the narrow chanel. I was going at idle speed when I heard to hull scrape on some gravel. Stopped, got out, and pulled the ski to deeper water. OK so after lunch, I got on ski, rocked it back and forth and started engine. Heard a rattling sound and shut engine off. Went to restart and engine would not turn over. Turned ski over, and could not find anything. Got towed in. When I got home I discovered a rock was wedged in the impeller. After much prodding and poking, I got the rock out. Feeling a bit smug, I went to start the ski. No go. Engine would not turn over. Starter hits, but does not turn engine. What should I do next? Any suggestions? Am I in for a big repair bill?

kawiski · 06-04-2009, 12:29 PM

Remove the complete jetpump assembly, push back the drive shaft a few inches so that engine/drive shaft coupler is disegnaged. Then, try to restart the engine. If the engine starts up, now you only have to work on the jet pump. Check impeller and pump vane guide for any rock damage.

hudsonriverrider · 06-05-2009, 10:00 PM

Thanks for the advice. I ended up taking my ski to a shop where to did what you suggested and removed the pump. It ended up that I had some vane damage and tore some sizable chunks from my impeller. The long and short of it is that I am changing my empeller for now, and fixing the vanes at the end of the season. My mechanic told me that the damage to the vane was not significant to the point were unless I was into getting every last bit of speed out of my ski, that I could leave it the way it is.

puckoach · 06-10-2009, 10:52 AM

HRR, If you are inclined to swap this out yourself, I may have the parts you need. PM me

To others looking at this, if this happens to you, don't force a start. Tow it back to the ramp, and put it on the trailer.

In my case, I keep a long this shaft in my suv. It's actually half a curtain rod. Or, you can use one of the adjusters from mini-blinds. Poke the rocks out using the shaft, by going thru the intake grate. Tip nose up if you need to. I've also used some very long needle nose after poking to help get the rocks out. Also, flushed with hose.

While this is not an absolute, I've found you can pass over shallow areas at speed. But, in the same depth, starting / standing still hole shot will vacume up the bottom.

Although I don't suggest shallow water riding, ocean wave jumping, especially smaller waves, will occasionally bring you into pretty shallow water. In fact, picture in avatar at left was taken from the shore on a 1 1/2- 2 footer day.

hudsonriverrider · 06-13-2009, 10:42 PM

Thanks for the offer. I hate to say it but I'm fairly inept when it comes to mechanical things. I ended up taking my ski to a shop and had a new impeller installed.

hudsonriverrider · 06-13-2009, 10:44 PM

You know from the look of that picture, one day during the summer I'm tempted to take a trip up to see you guys and take some lessons jumping

puckoach · 06-15-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hudsonriverrider

You know from the look of that picture, one day during the summer I'm tempted to take a trip up to see you guys and take some lessons jumping

New guys always welcome !

Just watch the NH Hampton thread.