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Impeller and wear-ring symptoms, explained plainly
High revs, slow speed, and vibration each point somewhere different. Here's how to tell without pulling the pump.
The 5-minute test
- Weed/line clog: sudden loss after shallow water, vibration at idle. Shut down, check grate, pull debris with the engine off.
- Worn wear ring: engine revs but hookup is soft, worse from a stop. Gap between impeller blade and ring exceeds ~1 mm — time for a ring.
- Damaged impeller: bent or chipped leading edges, rattling under load. Needs repair or replacement, not just a ring.
- Cavitation burn: pitted impeller face from air leaks or damaged seal. Fix the seal with the parts.
If you sucked up rope, don't keep revving it — you can burn the carbon seal and sink the ski at the dock. Tow in, pull the plugs of debris, and check the bilge.
When in doubt, a shop can measure clearance in minutes. Next: pre-ride check.
Written for owners, not brochures. Confirm model-year specs with your dealer before you buy.
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