Common Problems with 2006 Challenger 180 CS?

[cwhogan]

I'm looking at buying a 2006 Challenger 180 CS. Negotiated $13.5k over the phone (price assumes condition is good - I can back out). Going to inspect, water test, and pick up next weekend.

I'm wondering if there are any common problems with this model that I should be aware of or on the lookout for.

Thanks

 

[Seadoopilot]

leaking bung plugs on exhaust
leaking hoses
over heating due to clogged hoses to cooling system
watch the teltail for water , should have a good stream
should shift good , trim good , throttle good and smooth
look for leaks around the drive shaft
look for non standard wiring ( places where people have f**ked with it):ack:
inspect all of the hull for places where it has been scraped
check the grate
check the reverse bucket for cracks
check top speed with gps if you can , will tell you the condition of the wear ring
then just the obvious

 

[cwhogan]

leaking bung plugs on exhaust
leaking hoses
over heating due to clogged hoses to cooling system
watch the teltail for water , should have a good stream
should shift good , trim good , throttle good and smooth
look for leaks around the drive shaft
look for non standard wiring ( places where people have f**ked with it):ack:
inspect all of the hull for places where it has been scraped
check the grate
check the reverse bucket for cracks
check top speed with gps if you can , will tell you the condition of the wear ring
then just the obvious

The '06 Challenger 180 is intercooled, right? So I assume the 'teltail' and 'clogged hoses' won't apply here. But the rest will...

I have GPS devices, so I can definitely record the speed. But what about the RPMs? What should my max RPM be at top speed? Or, what should I be looking at?

Are there any known issues with the wear rings in this year? I seem to recall reading about a known problem with an earlier year.

Thanks

 

[Seadoopilot]

The '06 Challenger 180 is intercooled, right? So I assume the 'teltail' and 'clogged hoses' won't apply here. But the rest will...

I have GPS devices, so I can definitely record the speed. But what about the RPMs? What should my max RPM be at top speed? Or, what should I be looking at?

Are there any known issues with the wear rings in this year? I seem to recall reading about a known problem with an earlier year.

Thanks

I thought it still used lake water to cool the heat exchanger and so would still have a teltail but I admit I dont really know , How else would you know if you were getting proper water flow ?

 

[cwhogan]

it's my understanding that it is cooled like a car, in that the liquid cooling is completely self contained. In a car the water flows thru a radiator to remove heat from the water. I'm told this water runs thru a "plate" in the bottom of the hull. Using direct contact with the water rushing under the boat. Basically a big heat-sink. But admittedly I don't know for sure either.

 

[Seadoopilot]

it's my understanding that it is cooled like a car, in that the liquid cooling is completely self contained. In a car the water flows thru a radiator to remove heat from the water. I'm told this water runs thru a "plate" in the bottom of the hull. Using direct contact with the water rushing under the boat. Basically a big heat-sink. But admittedly I don't know for sure either.

that may be but the exhaust needs to be cooled with a water flow being dumped out the exhaust does it not ?

 

[cwhogan]

that may be but the exhaust needs to be cooled with a water flow being dumped out the exhaust does it not ?

Good point. I have no idea. Hopefully someone else can educate us both.

 

[timeman]

I have a 2006 Challenger 180 CS. I believe while the engine has it's own inter cooled system, the exhaust still uses lake water for cooling.

In the owners manual there is a reference to needing to clamp the cooling supply/intake hose when towing the boat at speeds over 10 knots (presumably some back flow occurs at higher speed and flows into the exhaust)
The owners manual goes on to caution that not clamping this hose could lead to the boat flooding, so I would take that as proof that lake water is used to cool just the exhaust.

I take my boat to Lake Powell once a year, and I pinch the hose while towing it behind the houseboat, though the houseboat rarely does 10 knots, the old better safe than sor...well, you know!:ack:

Good luck, the 180 CS is a great boat....

 

[cwhogan]

Okay, so that's confirmed... It DOES use external water to cool the exhaust. So what about flushing that? If I'm sucking in salt water I would hope there would be a way of flushing that out of the exhaust. No?

 

[timeman]

Flushing is a piece of cake...

There is a fitting that accepts a garden hose located upper right on the transom, right by the jet drive discharge...

In addition to flushing, should you want / need to run the engine while the boat is on the trailer you should attach a garden hose before starting to prevent the exhaust from over heating.

Timeman

 

[cwhogan]

Follow up:
So I inspected the boat, took it for a spin, and bought it. When I got it home I realized it was out of antifreeze. I friend with an '07 says his has never lost any fluid and he has had major problems with salt water.

I fear the heat exchange pump has leaked the innercooler fuild into the exhaust loop and lost all the fluid. No telling what damage there may be.

See my post for help if you have any thoughts. Thanks
http://seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=13278