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97 challenger 1800 sittng for 4 years... please help

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So does everyone agree I should rebuild the carbs although when pulled apart they were very clean. ... This boat was very well maintained by previous owner.... if carb kit cost 250 bucks from what I understand there are 4 carbs that would be 1000 bucks in unnecessary expenses. ..

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Jhjesse I have no idea how to do the things you are suggesting I can't find any of that info in premium member manuals

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I don't necessarily agree that the carbs. need a rebuild, however I would dis-assemble and clean and only replace parts that are needed. So, in my opinion, if the passages are clean, go gum or varnish or especially a green goo, they probably won't need a rebuild. What did the carb. filters look like?

Lou
 
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Filters didn't look bad, not really any build up or grim.... one concern were the plugs.... they seemed to be wet on the ends... idk if it was from my power washing... condensation or water in block. ..

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I don't necessarily agree that the carbs. need a rebuild, however I would dis-assemble and clean and only replace parts that are needed. So, in my opinion, if the passages are clean, go gum or varnish or especially a green goo, they probably won't need a rebuild. What did the carb. filters look like?

Lou

At least replace the needles and seats. Then look up the pop off pressure specification and use the correct springs. Set the high and low speed adjustment screws to factory.

The instruction are in your manual under the fuel system section. Pop off should be between 30 & 40 psi.
High and low adjusters should be 0 - high low - 1 turn Can be found in the technical data section of your manual.

Your oil filters are the two white looking tubes found on the oil line coming out of the bottom of the oil reservoir.

http://www.sea-doo.net/SHOPMANUALS/JETBOATS/1996-1997/WELCOME.PDF
 
Ok thanks should I be concerned about the okd plugs I pulled out that were wet

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Compression 150 all around.... in water now started rough seems to idle normal now. .. light white smoke from both motors

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Took it for a little stroll it seemed to do really good everything seems to be working.... after getting going about 30mph I went to full throttle... right motor is taking a few seconds longer to catch left motor

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After the right motor delay it runs great... tried this multiple times w same results.... left motor goes straight to 7-8rpm right motor delays a few seconds and then goes to full rpms

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Sounds good. Looks like you are on the way to boating fun. Kind of surprised it runs that good after sitting for four years.

Good luck!
 
I was very suprised.... should I be concerned about the right motor not keeping up w the left motor

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I would try to figure it out. Usually when the engine boggs slightly it is a fuel issue. I would make sure the LSA's are at 1 turn as stated above in post #30.
I just fixed a 96xp with the exact same issue by installing new needles and seats in the carbs. 96xp's have the same motor as your boat motors. In fact the engine in my 96xp came out of a 97 challenger1800.

http://www.watercraftsuperstore.net/709HP007.html
 
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Doing needles and seats next weekend. ... got it buffed and polished today

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3m heavy duty polishing compound and meguirs finishing polish. Buffer and grinder. Bought a buffing wheel for the grinder... still need a coat of wax

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Going to remove the decals but that isn't going to be a easy task... im still trying to find the best way to do it

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So does everyone agree I should rebuild the carbs although when pulled apart they were very clean. ... This boat was very well maintained by previous owner.... if carb kit cost 250 bucks from what I understand there are 4 carbs that would be 1000 bucks in unnecessary expenses. ..

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It's about $250 total. You can get all new carbs for $740 here
 
Thanks lou... that was his only one I git it for $1500... not sure what they go for but I figured it was a pretty good. Deal

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I'd rebuild the carbs on the motor that hesitates, it's probably a lean carb causing that. While inside I think a metering needle and seat replacement is the way to go and maybe the rubber metering diaphragm if it's not nearly as soft as a rose petal, they can get hard and start oil-canning, causing rough running and flooding. Probably yours is still soft, is my guess. I think you'll find trash in the tiny basket type fuel filters inside the fuel inlet, and gum deposits in the bypass/transition ports, remove the kidney shaped metering plate inside the fuel chamber under the rubber metering diaphragm and shoot a good amount of carb cleaner through the two brass jets, watch inside the carb bore as the carb cleaner shoots out the holes, it should be a strong stream not a dribble.

Anyway, maybe you already read the carb sticky. A lean running carb can damage your engine quickly so I'd take care of this issue, bad idea to run a 2-stroke that's having carb issues, including stale fuel. BTW, I'd stay away from adding anything to the fuel besides stabilizer, additives aren't likely to solve any problems and they can interfere with the fine lubricant balance.

Also, make sure you're using the correct oil, it needs to be API-TC rated including the low-ash package, there are some oils being marketed as API-TC that don't have the low-ash additive package, sometimes they're called universal and can be used in TCW-3 motors, stay away from that stuff as it doesn't have the low ash package you need. This motor runs hot piston temps, that's why it needs the ash package.

There are several different size metering needle seat orifices dependant on which motor and carb setup you have, make sure to get the correct size or it won't work properly.
 
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