Superjet RN - Leaky midshaft housing

[ultraclearance]

Hi,

My superjet (RN) got a leaky midshaft housing, when the jet is sitting in water i can see a small stream of water coming from the rubber between housing and bearing. Not a big leak, i would guess it could sit at least 2 hours in water before it starts to get serious

its no problem while driving, i got both the original siphon system and a rule 500.

I have a new housing, but is it okay to drive with the leaky one until end of season? Any chance of a catastrophic failure resulting in bent driveshaft and sunken superjet?? My worry is the whole rubbergrommet vill suddenly brake loose and misalign the driveshaft and get a bigger leak than the rule pump can pump away..

I would rather wait until end of season before doing the job.

Any input are greatly appreciated!

Best regards

 

[Carrera911]

I'd have the same concerns over it failing, taking out parts or sinking the ski. It shouldn't be a bad job to do, pull exhaust, slide motor forward and change it. Maybe undo the ebox from the firewall and lay on top of the motor if you don't have a disconnect plug added on the stator wires. Should be a half day project if you have a press to swap the midshaft over.

I might do a couple rides with it like that, but certainly not 20+ rides depending on how often you use it.

 

[ultraclearance]

I agree with you.. but the thing is, the midshaft housing is actually not in that bad shape, i pulled it this winter and noticed the rubber lip on the inside of the housing where it seals to the hull had started to slip abit some places, but not much.

the reason why its leaking is because i greased it after i bought it. i should have never done that before talking with previous owner, because he also greased just before i bought it.

So i have destroyed seals because of to much grease. It wasnt leaking last year.. only this year after i i took 5 pumps of grease, i could see grease come out of the rubber grommet between bearing and housing..

But i dont want to sink it so i guess i have to replace it rather sooner than later..

Appreciate the reply

 

[Carrera911]

Oh, I was thinking the rubber bushing had come loose in the housing. If it's just the seal around the midshaft I wouldn't worry about it much. If you're riding fresh water it probably won't be an issue. A few months of salt might cause the bearing to seize, then rip out the big rubber bushing. Your call if you decide to run it. At this point it's probably better to grease it every few rides to wash the water out. Or at least connect the grease gun and carefully feel the back pressure on the handle to verify it's still full of grease.

 

[ultraclearance]

Thats what i want to hear!! Yeah nothing is loose, i just licoriceed up by putting to much grease into it.. The housing is not new anyway so this winter i will replace it.

i guess, the leak will get bigger before any big failure? The leak now is only a tiny little stream.

I pull the hood and inspect the leak while sitting in water at least once every 45 minutes of riding too see it its been developing. Have 3 hours this season, but it has not gotten worse in 3 hours..

I ride both salt and fresh water, if salt i run it on garden hose and hose down the wole engine room in freshwater after use..

I will make sure to regrease often! Appreciate the input!