1997 Challenger - WHY ME!!!!

[Davo070]

I dont seem to be having much luck with these boats!!!!

First bought a 1999 Sppedster from a dealer in US, had it on the water 3 minutes before the left engine seized!! managed to sell the boat to a guy who knew what he was doing and how to fix it!!

So decided to buy a Challenger 1997 1800, got it for snip and thought I'd better get it serviced right away to check things over. Took it to my local SEADOO dealer who serviced it at cost of $500 and said everything looked OK.....

So first trip out in the boat today......................

Both engines started up 1st/2nd time and away we went, sweet!!!!!!

Just putted about for 15-20 minutes at half throttle to 'warm' things up and then opened her up...

Very slow out of the whole managed to get it to around 40mph with a pretty full load, so was quite happy.

Then I noticed that the right engine was only running at 4500rpm at full throttle....the left engine was running right around 7000-7500rpm

So we continued on for a while and stopped for lunch

Afterwards I tried to start the engines, left one would not start at all, tried 10-15 times so had to limp back to shore with one engine running at 4500rpm

Took it straight back round the dealer on the way home and left it with them, we are heading to Shuswap Lake next week for 10 days vacation, so if it dont get fixed my wife will kill me!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone any ideas as to what is wrong so I can give the dealer something specific to work on ( I dont have much faith in them)

Thanks

Davo

 

[kustomkarl]

There are a lot of questions to ask but you won't have the answers to help diagnose the problem. It would be better to ask the mechanic who is working on it...sorry.

Karl

 

[scooper77515]

I have had similar problems with my Challenger, but all have been solved with new spark plugs and I had to replace a ripped RAVE diaphragm. Both fixes were under $20.

Always carry a couple sets of new spark plugs. These 2-strokes don't like to run at low rpms, and will foul plugs up in minutes if you don't run it wide open.

I am still trying to find the "sweet spot" on my carb lo-speed screw to stop the fouling. Another 1/8th turn should just about do it.

 

[Davo070]

B@llocks

Looks like I am sh!t out of luck ....again.

Local Seadoo dealer has looked at the right engine and basically said it is screwed, one cylinder showing 80psi the other one 0....

Quoting somewhere in the region of $3-4K to over haul, wont know for ceratin until they get the head off and take a good luck inside, which is going to take 2-3 days to get round to, not much use for our planned family vacation for 2 days time...........

One question, would I be able to at least run the Challenger on one engine (which seems to be working OK) I know I wont be able to pull a skier or anything but do you think it will at least pull 2 kids on a tube, probably 150-175lbs combined? In theory one engine should still be producing 110HP riight?

Someone help me to ensure our family vacation (our first for 2 years) is not a total waste of time!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

 

[Davo070]

Something else!

Something else that annoyed me also, the 'broken' engine was running and started first time all day while it was out on the Lake, now they say that engine wont start at all? WTF, surely if it started first time, all day, the other day they should be able to get it going again you would think? so at least I would have 2 engine running albeit 1 at half power.

Their greatest peice of advice they could offer - buy another boat - thanks !

 

[scooper77515]

My suggestion

2nd opinion...

Just don't sound legit.

 

[timmyboy76]

Go get it Davo,...motor sucks, like you said, cruise around with one, thought the same thing, read'n the thread. Probly pull to one side, but you'll manage...get it, dude.

 

[shockerfd]

Man, that sucks and I feel your pain. Been there and still going through it.

 

[unclejay]

Dealer Suspicious

The dealers story sounds a little questionable. Also $ 3000 for an engine is way too high when you can buy a whole new engine for about $ 800 from SBT. Any competent mechanic can install it, in fact you could do it yourself. Its about a 4 hour job.

The going price for a good condition 95-97 twin engine Sea Doo is about $ 5000, so spending 3K on one engine is not cost effective.

A 2 engine 2-stroke boat will not run well on one engine due to the water drag on the input of the dead engine. it will also tend to overheat the remaining engine. It wll probably not even get up on plane. To save your vacation I would rent a boat maybe.

 

[timmyboy76]

hey Uncle...yah, that makes sense, since the bad motor will collect water thru the intake, but if these boats have their own cooling system, could he redirect the intake tube, or close it off, and then, like he said, just use it to cruise around, maybe pull his youngsters..?

 

[555 ROD]

I,ve got a 1800 twin 787s had a bearing go in one pump, like you thought it would be ok on one engine.Clamped the water inlet hose on the one that wouldnt be running and set off," well forget it" it wouldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding.The drag off the other inpeller is to great. I could only get about 15 mph flat out, i was out for about 1 hr, had no problems on overheating so if you just wanted to plod around it would be ok, but abit slow. Hope you get on ok, best of luck on sorting it out.

 

[derek]

my twin 720 speedster is useless on one engine. all you can do is get back, unless the tide is running against you. do not THINK of having anything distantly resembling fun running on one motor. i agree with everyone else on their opinion of the mechanic. he may not be a crook, just not very good. go get the boat. buy a compression tester for 25 bucks and check it yourself. then go from there. it is possible you have fouled plugs and he is taking you for a ride AND willing to wipe out the rest of the season while burning you.

 

[robin savell lloyd]

my twin 720 speedster is useless on one engine. all you can do is get back, unless the tide is running against you. do not THINK of having anything distantly resembling fun running on one motor.

Wow I did not know this I thougt it would at least plain out and be close to a single. I wander what the difference is? must be the drag from the downed jet pump. :cheers:

 

[seadoosnipe]

drag and resistance........

This was very interesting.......everyone on the same page, with two different points of view, to determine if the boat would plane out.

The 110hp engine is strong and will pull my 14 ft. at 45 mph.........but as you have all pointed out, the drag of the dead pump will suck the horsepower out of the good engine.

Same affect when you see the wind tunnel test on an airplane wing....the turbulence created on that dead pump will be like a water brake. Like a parachute, water forced into the nozzle........:cheers:

 

[derek]

i had a 27 foot carver. 2 mercruisers. went for a ride with 1 engine out, and got passed by a SAILBOAT!!! UNDER SAIL!!! twin engine anythings do not go with only 1 engine. the thrust is not in the middle.