Challenger 1800 Won't Rev Past 3500rpm

[duramaxxed]

I have been looking for a boat for about 2 weeks now. The last 2 I have went to look at didn't "do it" for me. The first one was a total disaster.

I just found another one today.

It's a '97 Challenger 1800. The owner says it starts and idles fine, but the right side engine won't Rev past 3500rpm. What could be the problem? At the asking price right now, if it's an easy fix, I can steal this thing.

I read somewhere (can't find it now) that someone had a problem with their 1800 not revving past 4000rpm and it turned out to be a bad ECU, so about $1200-1500 later he was back on the water. Easy fix yes, but expensive.

Could it just be simply clogged Carbs. or really dirty RAVE's?

These problems happened at the end of '02 and the boat has sat since.

 

[timmyboy76]

thats a possibility, or throttle cable adjustment might be off/stretched, or carbs not synct, doo comp test while your there....good luck

 

[kustomkarl]

It doesn't sound like the MPEM is bad,(Multi Purpose Electronic Module). It sounds like it needs the carbs cleaned or maybe a carb rebuild. If the mpem was bad it wouldn't operate at all and be blowing fuses. I would do a compression test to be sure it isn't a bad cylinder or something internal.

Karl

 

[duramaxxed]

Just heard back from the Seller.

Says the last time the Engines were ran was in '02. It has sat since then, and "every year or so" he would "crank the engines over and spray oil into the Carbs."

I'm thinking this is yet another project Boat.

 

[kustomkarl]

I like the every year or 2...with the oil spray...It could be a good project. Do you have a seadoo shop manual? If not here’s an idea for you. You could join as a "premium member". As a premium member you can down load a authentic seadoo manual from the seadoo manual library. In the library is a variety of manuals for almost all years and models. You can view as many as you like on line as a PDF file, or download it and print it for your personal and private use. There are operator manuals and repair manuals for you to do your own repairs on your seadoo. The repair manuals have everything from troubleshooting, repair procedures to winterizing. It contains wire diagrams torque specs and pictures for disassemble and assemble instructions. In the spec sheets it tells everything needed to maintain oil changes, spark plug gaps, carburetor rebuilds and impeller wear ring tolerances. Click on the "Seadoo Manuals" link at the top of the page for more details. If you need any help or get in a jam, we are always here to answer your questions too. Premium members get priority when it comes to getting quick detailed answers.

Karl

 

[duramaxxed]

Yea, it sounds like a project I don't wanna get into. I just want something I can drop right in the water and run it trouble and worry free as soon as I buy it. It seems like I am aiming too high, and it shouldn't. I shouldn't have to spend a couple grand on something that still needs work to operate correctly.

 

[kustomkarl]

A couple grand isn't too bad...you could spend 4-7 grand and get something almost ready for the water. Keep looking...remember it's peak water craft season now.

Karl