2 tanks with Oil Bypass / Premix = Happy Camper

[go-hokies]

Wanted to provide an update on my 2001 Challenger - after 2 tanks full pre-mix

Brief History:
- Recently purchased 2001 Challenger 2000 - very good condition
- Was worried about Oil Pump failure = blown engine
- Purchased oil bypass items for about $20 - Installation took about an hour ( could have probably been done in half that ifwould have all my tools close by )

- Left all tanks in place and followed suggestion to fix the float in the "full tank" postion

Ran 1st tank a little rich on purpose.. Ran great with a little smoke Completely emptied 1st tank before re-fill... ( about 200 yards short of fuel dock, ---NOT recommended )
Second tank mixed at 50:1 - ( Purchased one of those mixing bottles ($5 at ACE) that have the right ratios in 0.5 gallon increments, so was able to get it just right ) Ran great all day yesterday - even in the 102 degree heat...with little to no smoke.

End result - Happy Camper with one less failure mode on my mind.

Next Up - Stereo Install and LED Upgrade

Mike

 

[jaredmwright]

I have a 2002 Utopia 18.5 with the 240 EFI Merc. How did you know that you had the metal gear? Also, can you show a picture of the mixing bottle and share more infromation about the oil bypass items and or pictures.

 

[Dr Honda]

Go-Hookies: I saw that you said you had a metal gear in your other post... but I think you are confused. The gear on the end of the oil pump is metal... but the gear in the engine (on the crank) is plastic. AND... that's the one that is known to eventually fail.

 

[go-hokies]

Doc,

Thanks. I was beginning to wonder as well as I had read somewhere that you had to tear down the engine to replace the plastic gear. thanks for the clarification that makes sense now.

Still satisfied with the oil bypass/premix decision.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... I'm on the fence with this one. I'm working on the rebuild of my engine, and I bought a new gear.. Also... my old gear was still perfect... so I don't know if I'm going pre-mix or not.

 

[go-hokies]

I have a 2002 Utopia 18.5 with the 240 EFI Merc. How did you know that you had the metal gear? Also, can you show a picture of the mixing bottle and share more infromation about the oil bypass items and or pictures.

For a 2002 : I would check to see if you need to consider bypass - they corrected somewhere between 2001 and 2002. If your small oil tank is on the front of the engine you have the old design, if you have a small tank on the port side of the engine you have the new design.

I do not have any pics... Sorry, and my mixer is on the boat which is under cover at storage yard. Will see what I can do over the weekend.

 

[Dr Honda]

If you have a 240 EFI engine... chances are, you have the "Old" style system. From what we have noticed is that most seadoo merc boats have an engine that is one year older. This is probably because seadoo releases the new model year VERY early. So... there is a good chance, that your "2002" boat was made sometime during 2001.

The new system is an electronic oil pump. (nice) But I'm sure they can fail too.

 

[Racereddie]

I have a 2002 Utopia 18.5 with the 240 EFI Merc. How did you know that you had the metal gear? Also, can you show a picture of the mixing bottle and share more infromation about the oil bypass items and or pictures.

Here are pics of both tanks. You can also check the starboard side of the engine to locate the electric fuel pump just below the starter


Eddie

 

[jaredmwright]

Thanks for all of the pictures and help guys, I will see if I can locate this, but I probably have the older version with the gear since it seems that is what most people have on this forum.

 

[go-hokies]

Thanks for all of the pictures and help guys, I will see if I can locate this, but I probably have the older version with the gear since it seems that is what most people have on this forum.

For what it is worth, I was also considering a 2002 Speedster 240 EFI. It had the new set up. Did not buy because seller was asking 3k more than I got mine for, and it was not in as good condition. So you may get luck and have a "late build" 2002.


Mike

 

[go-hokies]

Here are pics of both tanks. You can also check the starboard side of the engine to locate the electric fuel pump just below the starter
View attachment 13224 View attachment 13225 View attachment 13226View attachment 13227

Eddie

Just to clarify .... Do you mean "oil pump" under the starter?

 

[Racereddie]

Just to clarify .... Do you mean "oil pump" under the starter?

Sorry, yes it is the electric Oil pump under the starter

 

[jaredmwright]

Verified I have the older model engine with the oil tank on the front top as suspected, bummer... I don't really know the engine hours on mine, but it runs great so far after owning one season and starting number two. Is there any warning sign that an issue is about to come related to this gear going out? Does the idiot oil pressure light come on when there is a problem or does the engine simply fail to run? I agree with others, mixing 40 gallons of gas isn't the easiest thing to do and not as clean either.

I was thinking about getting a Smartcraft gauge to gain additional information in hopes of preventing a problem if it does occur, does anyone have experience or opinions on if these are worth it on our 240 EFI Mercury motors?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190504957155?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Thanks

 

[Racereddie]

I was thinking about getting a Smartcraft gauge to gain additional information in hopes of preventing a problem if it does occur, does anyone have experience or opinions on if these are worth it on our 240 EFI Mercury motors?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190504957155?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Thanks

No the Smartcraft will not prevent engine issues with the oil pump failure. Your oil input is when your remote tank is low or you have a loss of pressure, with the loss of pressure the damage may already be done. The Smartcraft will give you an icon (and if you have oil press selected a number) that will let you understand quicker what the buzzing alarm really means.

Smartcraft does give you alot of other information, including hours, gal used, engine temp, gallons per hour are a few a there are others if you have the different cables connnected to the engine, once cable does not do it all. Take a look at this link and it will show you when I installed mine.
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?48181-Smartcraft-Monitor-Install-in-a-Utopia-205
The one you found on ebay is too expensive you can find the much cheaper. Also, even though it shows you a cable you cannot use that cable unless you have a junction box, connector cable for the junction box, weather covers for the junction box and resistor cover for the junction box (read...more money), so look at the used ones. You can buy one cable with two resistors in it already. My link above shows the install with just one cable. You don't need the junction box because you really don't have room to add all the other possible gauges. Plus the single cable will allow in series addtion of other gauges if you find one you really need and a place to put it.

Last get your ECU number and give Mercury a call 920-929-5040 ext 1 then 4. They will then tell you if your engine is Smartcraft ready.

Eddie

 

[Racereddie]

I was thinking about getting a Smartcraft gauge to gain additional information in hopes of preventing a problem if it does occur, does anyone have experience or opinions on if these are worth it on our 240 EFI Mercury motors?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190504957155?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Thanks

And yes, I think it was worth it for me. Just having those things that let you know how the engine is doing, volts, temp, RPM, hours, gallons used and gallons per hour gives me piece of mind. Take a look at this link, about half way down and you will see that Double07 have his mounted on a 2001 Utopia 185 and the readouts that you scroll through.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthre...for-2001-Challenger-2000&highlight=smartcraft