05 challenger sluggish. Need advice

[LKGrider]

Helping my neighbor out. It's a 05 SC challenger 1800. At first it wouldn't go above 20. Wouldn't plane. I found sticks and debri wedged in pump. I removed reverse gate and cone and cleared the debri. Threw some new plugs in. Wear ring had some wear grooves in it but didn't think it was too bad. Put back together and took it out.. It will slowly plane but seems like it has no power. Seems to only do 30-40mph. Around 7500rpm. I can pull back and nail it again and doesn't even feel like I did anything. Rpms move but a passenger wouldn't even know. Boat has 49 hrs on it. no cel on either. Think wear ring is the cause? Anything else I should check? Thanks in advance!

 

[Coastiejoe]

Yep. Wear ring or impeller issue. High revs and poor performance is a MAJOR indicator that the ring is wiped out. It will act like a car spinning its tire. Lots going on but the car doesn't move. Basically the same principle. Can't get traction so the water slips by instead of being pushed.


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[LKGrider]

Thanks joe, that is what I was kinda hoping it was. I'm just not familiar with how the boats perform. I guess it magnifies the issue since it is probably triple the weight of a ski. I guess I'll order a ring and try again.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Get an OEM ring it a good know brand. This is not an item that you want cheaply built.


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[Mudnman]

Put the pump in freezer for 5-10 minutes.Ring will slide past impeller.I forgot to put ring in freezer at same time.I put ring in for a minute and it slid back in.
Tell your friend that boat came with hollow valves.They break! Just a few weeks ago ,same low hour boat,valves broke and needed a rebuilt motor! I won't even start mine until valves are changed.

 

[LKGrider]

Put the pump in freezer for 5-10 minutes.Ring will slide past impeller.I forgot to put ring in freezer at same time.I put ring in for a minute and it slid back in.
Tell your friend that boat came with hollow valves.They break! Just a few weeks ago ,same low hour boat,valves broke and needed a rebuilt motor! I won't even start mine until valves are changed.

Thanks. I have changed plenty of wear rings before just not familiar with the way the boats perform. That is interesting about the valves. My other buddy just removed the head from his 04 rxp. Looked like a valve broke and dropped down and destroyed the piston. Not sure if that is why or not.

 

[Coastiejoe]

The 04 to 06 had hollow valves filled with Sodium. They fail and drop into the engine and pretty well destroy things. Bad valves are marked with the number 73 and good valves have a number 75.


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[Mudnman]

The 04 to 06 had hollow valves filled with Sodium. They fail and drop into the engine and pretty well destroy things. Bad valves are marked with the number 73 and good valves have a number 75.


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I read 72 is bad not 73.Also there are 72's with and without a T.One is solid.I'll have to find it but a guy showed a pic of one cut.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I'm not aware of anything other than 72 and the 75 valves. Pretty sure they did not have any 73 or 74 valves.


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[LKGrider]

Ok. So I put the new wear ring in last night. Went well. Near perfect fit and clearance. Just took it out a few minutes ago. The acceleration is smoother and don't get the slipping feeling anymore but damn this thing feels like a turd. Still going up around 7000 rpms but feels like I'm driving a 24ft pontoon boat with a 25hp motor on it. Gets it going but takes it a while to get there. Could it be an issue with the SC? What next to check? Has new plugs and compression is even on all 3 at 130-135

 

[rcguy]

Yep...the supercharger is next in line for a check up. I'm sure you know the deal so no need to explain.

 

[LKGrider]

Is there anyway to check to confirm. Don't mind spending the money to have it rebuilt but just don't want to go taking a $500 guess. Boat only has about 49hrs on it.

 

[rcguy]

Disconnect the intake and see if you can spin the fan blades. If you can, than the supercharger needs a rebuild. I hope and pray, "that this is not the first rebuild of your supercharger and you don't have ceramic washer." If your supercharger has never been rebuilt, you are in for a big surprise because they came with ceramic washers and I truly hope this is not the case.

 

[LKGrider]

Thanks rcguy! I pulled the intake hose off and I CAN spin the blades. Which now makes a lot of sense why it performs like it does. I am not sure if this is the first rebuild or not. What do you suggest? Rebuild myself or send off to have rebuilt? I have a press and can get access to the tools but is it worth it? Thanks again!

 

[timeman]

Depends on how much free time you have. The guys at PWC Muscle rebuild them for $65. labor.(a few bucks for shipping) I watched their how-to videos, removed shipped, and they rebuilt and mailed it back the same day they got it, I thought it was a great deal. Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vu_hMCf-iM

 

[rcguy]

It's not the rebuild of the supercharger that is a concern, it's the ceramic glass that's left behind inside your engine. Please search, "superchargers with ceramic washers on this website." Bad news all the way around.

 

[LKGrider]

Yeah I have heard bad things about the ceramic parts getting sucked into the engine. I'm going to try to read more later this evening when I get some time. Since the motor is running well and compression is even what can I do to clean out any debri?

 

[rcguy]

Beyond my expertise.

 

[LKGrider]

Just wanted to update.....new wear ring and rebuilt SC fixed it. Thanks for everyone's advise and help!