where is the sticky thread?

[tom21]

There are a few issues that need to be checked on these skis and I would like to suggest a sticky so that new owners and even old owners can be warned before they get whacked with a big repair. its the down season for most so now is a good time to look into some things.

I will start- Please pull and inspect your pump. make sure the bearings are smooth and there is no slop side to side and forward and backward(in the pump) I am starting to see more and more of the bearings fail because of the stress and wear. And unfortunately if a pump housing, bearings, seals, shaft and prop are not enough damage to pay for it will also put pressure on the crank and ruins the bearings which will lead to a motor failure and possibly require a new block.

So if that doesn't send a chill up your spine, I don't know what will.

There a posts scattered around that deal with this issue and if you don't dig you won't find it. For some its old news but I am sure there are lots of riders who don't know this and you really need to.

I found a link to a 250x website that a guy named coonass did a mod to his shaft to thread it and install a nut and washer so the shaft can't walk forward. people have asked impros to mod theirs and now you can get it done at impros. for 2010 a second bearing is added to the front of the shaft to help with the load. these are good ideas but at a minimum you need to just be vigilant and check it every season or more if you ride a lot. I would not go past 100 hours and if it were me I would do it sooner than that. whats a few minutes compared to thousands of dollars?

[shuswap]

Thanks for the advice Tom. Are you just referring to the supercharged Kawis? Or.......skis like my 12f as well?
Now I'm wondering if there's a handy link that describes the pump re and re and how to check the pump bearings, etc.??

[tom21]

all 4 stroke kawis are at risk.

1 remove rev gate and cable
2 remove 2 allens on rideplate that bolt the pump to the rideplate.
3 remove the steering cable and the 4 bolts that hold the cone and nozzle to the pump
4 remove the 4 pump bolts and 4 hoses
5 wiggle pump side to side up and down and it will come out.
6 spin prop- if its not smooth-replace bearings. if the prop has been hitting the wear ring, you need a pump or liner replaced and prop reconditioned. check clearance between prop and liner. 0.6mm is the max clearance.

assemble with grease on the driveshaft, use blue loctite on all threads

[shuswap]

Thanks for the guidance!

[tom21]

glad to help.