Even the most passionate and upbeat PWC rider will admit that it is not a sport, or a recreational pursuit, for the lazy and inattentive. As with most powerful machines, a jet ski consists of a slew of systems and components that all must work properly, and in unison.
While items such as engines, fuel systems and steering components are on the hot-topic list for required maintenance, repairs and/or replacement, the impeller is often overlooked – with sometimes disastrous and costly consequences.
The impeller is a vital component of the propulsion system. For newer or less mechanically-inclined PWC owners, the impeller on a jet ski is similar in appearance to a propeller on a boat, but is located inside what is known as a wear ring, and the rotation of the impeller creates a sucking force, drawing water through the PWC’s intake grate, and expelling it with force out from the steering nozzle.
As WCJ Editor-in-Chief Kevin Shaw stresses in this clip from the Tips for More MPG & Added Engine Life podcast, the impeller is a wear item, just like brake pads and tires on your motorcycle, and checking the condition of your impeller should be a regular item on your PWC-owner to-do list.
PWC manufacturers and mechanics alike recommend inspecting your impeller every year or every 100 hours – checking not only the leading edges, but also the trailing edges, looking for any imperfections such as gashes, chips, dings, or bends.
A damaged prop can cause slowed acceleration, lowered engine RPM, reduced top speeds and what is called a mechanical harmonic – a vibration that can cause a lot of wear on not only the wear ring, but on the hull bearings on a Yamaha or Kawasaki, or on the carbon seal of a Sea-Doo, as well as the output shaft – all of which can be major problems leading to major repair expenditures and down-time. Damaged impellers also result in cavitation, and cavitation does NOT translate into thrust.
So, that is the bad news.
Fortunately, we also have some good news for you.
Impros Impellers, a leader in impeller performance with 40+ years of experience, is offering 20% off all repairs sent in through January 31st with code REPAIR2024.
“Now is the time to take apart your machines and send in parts that need to be repaired,” Impros urges. “Don’t wait until 3 days before your summer trip or first race – do it now when it’s cold”
Impros Impellers offers several levels of impeller repair; the “Rocked” service, or primary service, has stage 1 and stage 2 levels, with stage 1 including “Blade spec restoration” consisting of repairing minor leading and trailing edge damage, when no welding is required. Stage 1 Rocked impeller service is $75 (before sale discount), with an additional $30 for a “race” finish, pitch modifications for $35, and an up-charge of $20 for 4-bladed impellers.
Stage 2 “Rocked” service “is also a “Blade spec restoration” service, but applied to impellers that require non-outside diameter welding, like damaged leading/trailing edges and gouged blades. Stage 2 Rocked impeller service is $95 (before sale discount), with an additional $30 for a “race” finish, pitch modifications for $35, and an up-charge of $20 for 4-bladed impellers.
Impros Impellers’ The Worx impeller service is a Stage 1 and 2 repair, in addition to welding and machining a worn impellers outside diameter back to size, welding damaged leading/trailing edges, blueprinting the outer blade angles to spec, balancing, and sharpening. The Worx impeller service is $125 (before sale discount), with an additional $30 for a “race” finish, pitch modifications for $35, and an up-charge of $20 for 4-bladed impellers.
And one last bit of good news.. don’t forget to use coupon code WCJ10 to save 10% off of your next Impros purchase.
