Swollen Pump Housing - 2018 AR210

[Coryd]

I have a 2018 AR210 (purchased new Aug 2018) and the starboard pump recently started making a sort of whining noise and engine gradually started running rougher. I took it to the dealer yesterday and they're saying it's a swollen pump housing. It's still under warranty so no issue there but I'm just wondering if it is common for this to occur on a boat less than 3 years old (currently has 295 hours)? The boat is used in salt water only but is flushed/sprayed with Salt Terminator after every use.

The dealer is also saying my clean-out plugs need to be rebuilt, which I think is strange considering I remove them after every use, spray them down, and coat the plugs and tubes with Yamashield. I have had zero issues with removing them/locking them back in. I told the dealer that and they said even with proper maintenance, the plugs will need rebuilt every 2-3 years. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[WREKS]

Swollen? Are saying that the impeller is making contact with the housing?

 

[Scottintexas]

normally swollen pumps either have a gravelly sound or bind the impeller causing slow or no cranking for the starter,

the engine running rough, as in missing/dropping a cylinder or just shaking/vibrating ??
usually a "whining" sound wouldn't be associated with swelling

an easy check would have been 15 minutes to pull the impellers/shafts to see if the rough running went away, you could have also seen if the impellers could have been turned by hand,

for the cleanout plugs, were you having any issue with them ?? we have many salt water members who never have to rebuild the plugs, I would ask them what part is being "rebuilt" - this issues really causes me to question the swollen housing and distrust the swollen housing diagnoses,

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC has good experience with swollen plugs and salt water and even made a how to on drilling the housing to relieve the binding issue,


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[Coryd]

Swollen? Are saying that the impeller is making contact with the housing?

Yes, they are saying the impeller was contacting the housing so they're replacing the impeller and housing.

 

[Scottintexas]

I should also add the disclaimer " I have a general distrust of dealership mechanics after hearing the stories members have shared over the last decade"

the swollen lining fix

https://jetboaters.net/threads/low-budget-fix-for-yamaha-pump-liner-swelling-issue.12121/

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[Coryd]

normally swollen pumps either have a gravelly sound or bind the impeller causing slow or no cranking for the starter,

the engine running rough, as in missing/dropping a cylinder or just shaking/vibrating ??
usually a "whining" sound wouldn't be associated with swelling

an easy check would have been 15 minutes to pull the impellers/shafts to see if the rough running went away, you could have also seen if the impellers could have been turned by hand,

for the cleanout plugs, were you having any issue with them ?? we have many salt water members who never have to rebuild the plugs, I would ask them what part is being "rebuilt" - this issues really causes me to question the swollen housing and distrust the swollen housing diagnoses,

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC has good experience with swollen plugs and salt water and even made a how to on drilling the housing to relieve the binding issue,


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Right, I've read several threads on here regarding the pump housing swelling and contacting the impeller. I did have a more pronounced rattle sound coming from it, maybe slightly gravelly but it never bound up to the point where the engine wouldn't crank and I didn't much cavitation. The last time we were out, I noticed a fairly strong vibration at lower rpms in the starboard throttle lever, which was clearly not normal. I was going to pull the pump to check it but figured since it's still under warranty, might as well just take it in. The dealer is Cycle Springs in Clearwater.

No issues with the plugs at all, which is why I was surprised they needed rebuilt. I have seen the threads on here of older boats needing plugs rebuilt but I always thought that was more of an issue with the older style plugs. But according to the service advisor, they usually need rebuilt every 2-3 years using the repair kit that Yamaha sells.

 

[Elliott]

FWIW, I am 3+ years in salt water only, and I have had no problems with the engine/impeller/housing or plug. My FSH is serviced every year at the dealer, and they say everything is great. I also flush my engine and spray down the plug (along with the hull and cockpit) with Salt Off after each outing.

 

[WREKS]

Is there any play in the impeller drive shaft-indicating a possible bearing problem?

 

[Coryd]

FWIW, I am 3+ years in salt water only, and I have had no problems with the engine/impeller/housing or plug. My FSH is serviced every year at the dealer, and they say everything is great. I also flush my engine and spray down the plug (along with the hull and cockpit) with Salt Off after each outing.

Yeah, I was thinking I'd get at least another couple years out of it before any issues like these came up. I religiously flush and spray everything down with Salt Terminator and spray Yamashield on the pumps after every outing. I guess every boat is different though, just glad I have the YES warranty until August 2022.

 

[Coryd]

Is there any play in the impeller drive shaft-indicating a possible bearing problem?

Based on the sound, I was thinking it was going to be a bearing issue but there was no play in the shaft at all.

 

[Canuckjetboater]

I am surprised that your clean-out plugs should need replacement given your excellent (in my opinion) maintenance of them and that you have not had binding or removal issues. IF and I repeat IF you decide to replace them I recommend that you scribe your initials into the top with a screwdriver (or another pointy tool) and tell the dealership you want your plugs returned (in the shape they were) as you plan on keeping them for spares replacements if needed in a jam. Of course, I'd expect to receive the (same) parts back with your initials on them. I did this once with an important part on a boat and the part the dealer returned did not have my initials on it. They apologized and said "oops - our mistake" and said they had it and would return it. They couldn't "find" it. I asked them what the solution was. I received a brand new part ($300.00 value) in a new unopened box. After that issue - many years ago they were extra careful with my boat (LOL). Not accusing anyone just saying......