2005 FX WaveRunner - Tube Rope & Intake Grate help please

[mPara]

Hi guys,

Was riding my FX '05 on Sunday and the tube rope which I was using to have fun with some mates went into the intake grate.

Unfortunately, the tube rope was not that thick and strong, so the moment it got sucked up into the grate I heard a clunk and the rope snapped.

The waverunner still starts and runs, but above 5000RPM cavitation happens. Also, the engine has a deeper, more growlish sound and the waverunner vibrates a little bit when accelerated.

I managed to get it home after riding for 10mins at about 6-7 mph, and now it's parked in the garage on land waiting for me to open the intake grate and get the rope out.

Could you please provide me with helpful tips, hints and maybe a walkthrough on how to remove the intake grate and removing the last part of the rope. Also, should I remove the battery for safety issues? I saw some people mentioned opening the engine cover to spin the shaft the opposite direction so it facilitates the removal of the rope, how do I do that and is it safe?

Any and all help wil be very appreciated, much obliged guys.

Take care & have fun

[yamabuddyy]

My niece did the same thing. Very easy fix. there are 4-6 bolts holding the plate to the hull. Remove those and you see the shaft. Just cut or unwind the rope and you'll be all set. D/C the battery is a safety thing in case someone pushes the start button. I would do it, but I always err to caution.

Same thing can happen with weeds, even if you can't see them hanging doesn't mean they are not tangled up.