07 Seadoo Challenger 180 Plane issue

[Wyicehockey]

Hello all!

I am having an issue with my 07 seadoo challenger 180se. The issue is only present before the boat is planing and when at full throttle. With 1-3 people onboard The boat seems to plane rather normal but still experiences some slight hestitation and (Sputter) before getting enough speed to plane. Once planing I cannot notice the (sputter)(hesitation) Whatsoever

Once we add 4 or more the boat really struggles to get to plane. Also while giving it max throttle (attempting to plane) it seems as though we are having cavitation. It makes a consistant (sputter noise) Once I shift everyone towards the front of the boat we are able to eventually plane and have no issue with max throttle once planning. Any idea as to what my issue may be? Thank you so much for all of your time!

 

[Dr Honda]

You are describing cavitation. AND... since it gets batter with weight in the front, and after you get going.... you have a leaking/weak carbon seal. It's time to replace it.

BUT, there are a few tricks to get a little more life out of it, and I may be able to help with that. Post a pic of your seal, and we can go from there.

But be aware... if it's really warn, and it cracks... your boat could sink.

 

[Wyicehockey]

I will take a picture of it ASAP. Thank you so much for the quick response

 

[pvamax]

You are describing cavitation. AND... since it gets batter with weight in the front, and after you get going.... you have a leaking/weak carbon seal. It's time to replace it.

BUT, there are a few tricks to get a little more life out of it, and I may be able to help with that. Post a pic of your seal, and we can go from there.

But be aware... if it's really warn, and it cracks... your boat could sink.

What would make you think its the carbon seal vs just a worn wear ring in the pump?

 

[Dr Honda]

What would make you think its the carbon seal vs just a worn wear ring in the pump?

The carbon seal is on a flexible rubber boot. When it wears, or the boot gets weak... the pump will actually suck it back a little. In turn... it draws air past, and you go nowhere. But since his description says "When I put weight up front"... that makes it easier for the boat to get on plane, and requires less thrust, and less suction. Then he says... "Once on plane, I don't notice the stutter." That's because the forward motion is keeping the pump loaded, and the "Suction" on the inlet is reduced. This description is classic carbon seal leak.

If it was a pump issue... as with a wear ring, or messed up impeller... then you would have cavitation everywhere.

Oh... the "Stutter" you are feeling is the engine hitting the rev limiter.

 

[Wyicehockey]

 

[Wyicehockey]

Hopefully these pictures are sufficient & hopefully this is what you were talking about. I took a picture of me pointing in the general area I was taking the photos. I will also post a few pictures of the impellar and wear ring in case anyone wants to take a look at that. Seems to be in decent condition in my oprionion. Hard to tell from the photos though. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Wyicehockey]

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... carbon seal looks original... and thin. I would get it changed as soon as you can.

BUT.......................................................................... You can try this to get a few more trips in while you wait for parts


First... make sure the boot isn't hard. It's stiff, but make sure it's not abnormally hard. It's the spring to hold pressure on that seal. Have a helper pull that boot back a little, and use yoru finger, or something soft... and put a blob of waterproof grease on the face of the seal. (The interface of the carbon and stainless rings) Do not use anything hard. You can chip/crack the carbon ring. Then, get a fat zip tie, and put it in one of the valleys of the boot... and pull it tight. It will help put more pressure on the seal... and help to keep the boot from getting sucked back. you can put a fat zip tie in both valleys... but that's up to you. One normally helps.

One thing to keep in mind... THIS IS NOT A FIX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS A BAND-AID !!!!!!!! Your seal is warn, and ready to be changed. This puts more pressure to keep the air out, but will accelerate the wear on what's left. I only use this on a boat that needs to go out to the lake a couple more times before being put away for the winter... or just waiting on parts. If the seal fails completely... your boat can sink.

 

[Wyicehockey]

Ok I will for sure replace it. How you are drsribing it sounds exactly like what is happeneing. Escpecially with the over raving before planing. Also I just realized when I was under the boat that what I believe is the ride plate looks like the rubber sealing that goes all the way around the edge of it is in pretty bad shape. Completely missing in some areas. Would this cause any of these issues? Thanks again!

 

[Wyicehockey]

I can post pics of the rubber/silicone on the ride plate that is damaged if needed

 

[Dr Honda]

Generaly... no. The little gasket around the grate doesn't cause issues.

 

[gato760]

I seem to be having very similar experiences. I have seen a lot of rebuild kits for the carbon seal, support ring, c-clip, o-rings, and boot, but none of them seem to use OEM parts. Is there a good website to purchase a rebuild kit?

edit* I should probably mention that I have a 2006 Challenger 180 wake tower edition with 215hp 4-TEC