Is it possible to eye ball if there is any damage to the pump?

[YYZ]

A friend is about to pickup a 2020 VX 1800 HO with only 9 hours. It's too cold to water test it so is it possible to tell if there has been any sand or small stone damage to the jet pump by looking from the intake and the rear of the pump? It's been beached a few times going by the hull so that's why we are concerned. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[pro1200]

I'd ask why it's being sold with only 9 hours and if the warranty will transfer. Yes, you can do a visual of the impeller but the scratches on the hull wouldn't concern me because the Yamaha hulls scratch just from loading them on a trailer.

[K447]

A friend is about to pickup a 2020 VX 1800 HO with only 9 hours. It's too cold to water test it so is it possible to tell if there has been any sand or small stone damage to the jet pump by looking from the intake and the rear of the pump? It's been beached a few times going by the hull so that's why we are concerned. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

If the launch ramp is free of ice it is still possible to water test. A dry suit really helps.

Even just backing it down the ramp while still fully strapped down to the trailer front and rear, you can run the engine and apply throttle. Leave the seat off and look around inside the hull while it is running. Water leaks, exhaust smoke, fuel fumes, that sort of thing. Make sure there is no floating debris nearby. Apply steering, throttle, reverse.

On the trailer on dry ground, you can use a strong flashlight to look up into the jet pump water intake on the bottom of the hull. Inspect the leading edges of the impeller for obvious dings or bending from rock impacts.

A helper shining the bright light in from the rear of the jet pump, while you are looking in from underneath, you will see some light coming through the tiny ring gap surrounding the impeller. Hard to visually gauge for a newbie, but the size of the blade clearance gap is what gets enlarged when the pump processes a lot of sand.

A local PWC service shop would be able to do an inspection for the buyer.
I will recommend JetX in the Toronto (Hwy7 west) area.
Email service@jetx.ca

Of course, check that the seller is the legitimate owner and there is no lien or other problem with the legalities.
Original purchase receipt, Transport Canada hull number paperwork. The HIN number plate on the rear deck must be present and unmolested. Paperwork and numbers must all match up.

A Yamaha Waverunner dealer can check the HIN number in their system. Service history, warranty, etc.

[YYZ]

Thanks for the very helpful replies. I’ve got two FX HOs so I’m pretty familiar but no expert, if we can’t wet test we’ll do a good visual on the pump and take it from there. Yes, there’s a transferable warranty.

[nmpeter]

you can always buy an inexpensive inspection camera ( like $30) and snake it up the pump to get some kinda look inside, like a basic jet ski colonoscopy. These are amazingly handy to peek inside a wall before cutting some holes for whatever

[TimeBandit]

Major pump damage (the kind that would lemon a sale) are typically very visible. Using a flashlight, and look into the jet pump discharge, then looking up underneath into the pump tunnel for any obvious damage is generally good enough to flesh-out any major concerns.

That said, any small dings or tiny bits of missing blade are simply a performance issue and can generally be cheaply remedied, worthy of sale price re-negotiations.
What you are looking for is any major: blade damage, stator vane damage, wear ring blisters/contact points, pump tunnel cracks, etc...

Substitute of a water test ... you could kindly ask the seller to fill the inside hull with a littlewater to check for external leaks.

[YYZ]

Thanks again for all the great suggestions, we closed the deal. I inspected the pump very carefully and it was like brand now not a nick or scratch, there was no damage at all. We've run it on the hose and completed winterization, oil change and center bearing lube. We didn't brave a water test but feel confident that it should be perfect, we'll know for sure in the spring.