Chunk of coupler dampner missing, time to replace?

[blk96gt]

Just picked up an 03 SJ on Friday. Seemed to run good other than a couple self induced problems. After riding it for the weekend I noticed some rubber on the underside of the hood. Upon closer inspection I notice that there is a bit of rubber missing from the coupler dampner. Should I go ahead and replace it, or am I good to just keep an eye on it and keep riding? It's a cold fusion coupler with the red dampner.

Not sure how old the rubber is, or if it was like this when I got it, but seems like this is an indication that motor may not be lined up properly.

 

[McDog]

Replace it or your couplers will start hitting each other.

 

[blk96gt]

That's what I figured. What are the potential causes for this? I know improper alignment of pump/motor and/or broken motor mount(s). Anything else?

 

[Big Kahuna]

Old Age sometimes............

 

[iangdesign]

I'd pull the rideplate and check the tightness of all your pump bolts and check the motor mounts and bolts. There is an underlying problemo for sure.

 

[McDog]

Not necessarily. My tpe1105 eats cold fusion dampeners in a short time but does fine with a rubber kawi dampener. I have heard that it is a common problem with big motors....that means it's possible with smaller motors with enough use.

 

[eastcoastjumper]

I ate 2 of those red cold fusion coupler dampners last year in my 701 surf ski. Switched to the Kawi Ada couplers and ate up 2 of those already this season. It's from the motor moving around too much, broken mounts, hitting bottom, or incorrect alignment. The small fingers of those couplers don't help. At least they are stronger than the stock cast set

 

[BruceSki]

It's from Kawi couplers. They are junk. Aftermarket or stock. If you actually ride your ski they will break.

Try 5 finger Yamaha couplers.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Have seen many with big motors using OEM Couplers............... They break easier. Cheap insurance if you have a dampener failure.

 

[blk96gt]

The motor is a 760 bored to 781, and I think the dampner is ~3 years old, so it may be just something I have to keep an eye on. I was practicing barrel rolls all weekend as well, and had lots of upside down and side landings, so that probably has something to do with it too.

To replace it, can I just unbolt the motor, slide it forward, replace the dampner and bolt everything back up? This assumes everything is properly aligned.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Yup. Dont do what I did one night late trying to get ready for the next day.......... I pulled the whole damn motor. Was not even thinking!