Challenger 180se - Oil in Bilge

[john.g.gillett]

Just upgraded from my 97 Challenger to a 08 Challenger 180se and really pleased with the extra power and space. Still like the open air feel of the old Challenger but am loving the comfort and power of the new one.

What I wasn't expecting was to have some much oil in the bilge which I'm sure is not right. I've monitored the oil over the past few months and have topped up as required. At the weekend I put in 500cc when the oil level was just showing on the bottom of the dipstick, measured when out on the water and with the engine at normal running temp, and when I washed the bilge out after 90 minutes of droning a round I collected about 125 cc from the pumped out bilge water.

We've checked the engine over front to back and down the sides but can't find a leak anywhere in fact the engine is really clean and has only done 30 hours and I've done 7 of them since I got the boat a few months ago.

Anybody had a similar experience and if so how did you resolve it? Any suggestions of where to look or what the issue might be gratefully accepted.

Many thanks,

John in the UK

 

[devonte007]

First of all welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new boat!

In regards to the oil leak, they can be difficult to find especially such as small one as yours. Oil leaks are not common on these newer seadoo 4-tec engines. What type if engine do you have, single supercharged 215?

These engines have an external oil cooler bolted to the lower port side of the engine that is fed by a pair of cooling hoses. I would first inspect down around that area. Then also check around the supercharger as that seal could leak. Maybe even the oil filter canister, take off the top and make sure it has the proper o-rings (should be 3 total) and that they are not damaged. If no luck, I would clean the engine really well and take it out stopping periodically to feel around the engine for where the oil may be leaking from, clean white cloth might help. Others may have some better advise but I have never experienced oil leaks, and not too many have posted with this problem.

The correct oil level for these boats is right smack in the middle of the two bends on the dip stick. Too much oil can cause running issues and abnormally high oil pressure and possible leaks from dip stick tube.

Last word of advise is about your supercharger (if so equipped). If you do not know about seadoo supercharger issues do some reading here on the forum. If the supercharger has not been properly rebuilt recently (last 2 years or 100 hrs) it needs to come out and be done ASAP. If it is original or has not been rebuilt recently it is a ticking time bomb in your engine and could explode at any time turning your engine into a boat anchor...