1999 Challenger 1800 Engine problems

[caseyb12000@yahoo.com]

Okay, big dilemma. My left side engine won't run. I originally changed spark plugs, upgraded to the E3...3.20 that was recommended from E3 web site. Thought that maybe this would help the occasional, sometimes more often than I care, oil fouling of the regular NGK plugs. I also thought that maybe they would help with the overall economy of the boat. Went out 1 time and had a great time, No problems whatsoever. As the boat was being loaded on the trailer the left engine just died. No warning of any kind. Wouldn't re-start either.
Loaded the boat anyway, then went home. When I got home I thought that I would check the plugs to see if they were fouled like usual. OH HECK NO. The end of the plug on one cylinder was completely burned off, and in its place was a huge glob of extreme carbon build up. AS if it had been in there for years, not just a few hours. Pulled the other plug, it was burned a little, but not near as much as the front plug, almost like normal.
So I put new plugs in both cylinders, cranked engine, and it sounded sick. Like the valves were either stuck open or closed on both cylinders at the same time. Engine fired up, and ran. Yes I had put a garden hose on it to keep it cool. Not my first rodeo there! The engine revved up, smoking like crazy, smelled like it was flooded, but after about 10 minutes, it cleared out and the engine seemed to sound better. So i thought it was fixed.
Take it to the lake on the 4th of July, and the darned thing died again, but this time, when it died the right hand engine died, and the battery was dead. Got a boost from a nice elderly man, and the right hand engine ran just fine. Try to start the left, after a few minutes then the right would die, and we were back with a dead battery. Okay, this sucked. Once again we got the right engine started, and we could toodle along. Slowly,,,,,very slowly.
When trying to start the left engine, while the right hand engine was running I noticed that the speedo, was jumping as if it were the tach. WTF? I took a tow from a friend because I think trying to start the left drained the battery too much to keep the right running.
THERE WERE NO WARNING BUZZERS OR INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM EVER THAT I NOTICED OR HEARD. Alcohol was not a factor either, I was too peeved to start drinking.:cheers:

So frustrated, I have not even looked at the newer plugs yet to see what they look like.

QUESTIONs>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1. What caused the plugs to foul with carbon like that?
2. What caused the plug to burn off?
3. Why does the engine make that funky whooshing sound, with no apparent/obvious holes in the block?
4. Aren't there 2 alternators on this boat?
5. Could the attempts trying to start left engine drained the battery that fast to kill the right hand engine?

:rant:


Thanks for any and all help
Casey Bennett

 

[timmyboy76]

hey Casey....start with compression check, hook cables from car/truck, not running, if need be, to get motor to turn. Maybe seal bad, and oil goin to one side of cylinder, caus'n other to lean out and burn plug. prior to that, put towel over plug holes, make sure plug boots are grounded on post, and turn motor, see if oil is shoot'n out.
Theres rectifiers to keep consistant charge on battery, if those go, then boat will run on battery juice, til it drains that. Recheck all connections, grounds at battery/s, make sure wires arent corroded/burnt, that would cause a bad connect, go thru the fuel system,carbs..etc. Man, its a start, anyway....:cheers:

 

[JPX]

Burning off the tip of spark plug is serious business.

Mechanical damage to the plug is a possibility - basicallly smashing the top of the piston against the plug somehow.

The more likely case is that you have a huge detontation problem.....relates to fuel or timing. Excessive pinging (detonation) is hard to hear in a two stroke compared to a 4 stroke motor.

And no alternators in these boats. But each engine has a magneto on the front of the block that serves the same function.

 

[caseyb12000@yahoo.com]

Thanks to both of you. I have the next few days off, and it is most definitely on my big list to get fixed. Wife is jonesing for the lake so it is top priority. ANyone have any ideas about the E3 plugs being too 'hot' for these 787 engines? i would think that if they crossed over from NGK they would be okay.

Thanks.:cheers:

 

[caseyb12000@yahoo.com]

New update on engine problem

Bit the bullet and took the head off. Cracked piston on the front cylinder. Cylinder wall is scored just enough to feel it with your fingernail. Is there a sleeve I can replace to standard? What brand of piston is the best to go back with? I am familiar with Wiseco. I have purchased and downloaded the shop manual, and printed off the respective sections that have to do with the top end. Any other suggestions?

 

[rexsteiner]

not sure on a sleeve. these guys im sure could help here