Great Outing.....

[Greg]

Took the new to me 1996 Challanger out with the family this weekend, a little cool but it was our first run with the boat. A couple questions for the brain trust. She has not been run for two years, I put 12 gallons of gas in last season before storage indoors, it mixed with 10 gallons of who knows what in the tank. I had a little trouble keeping it running at idle speed. No problems at speed, she reached 35mph with 3 adults and 1 child at almost 7k rpms. I think this is good performance? After a half hour or so she did idle better but rough. Any ideas, old gas? Needs service?
My second question is water in the bilge. When we got her on the trailer I pulled the drain plugs and a gallon or two of water came out. I noticed the deck drain with scrubber was allowing water in at a good pace when I sat in the driver seat but drained when we were under way. I think maybe this water got in the floor locker that drains into the bilge? Any cure for the scrubber allowing water in? The little rubber flap is curled and doesnt seal the back flow. Also do they make a self bailing drain plug for the transom? With the bilge pump so far forward under the engine all the water appears to sit toward the stern.
Thanks Guys! this site is great I've made repairs from your advice and saved some buck.
Greg

 

[kustomkarl]

Greg I have a 1997 Challenger with a 787 engine in it 110 HP. With 4 adults mine pulls about 45mph, at about 7000 rpm's.
There shouldn't be any water in the bottom of the boat. The floor drain should not let water come back in the boat. In mine on the transom is a cover and a ping pong ball type of stopper. It allows NO water back in the boat. When I spray the boat down after a run, I never get water in to the bottom from the storage locker, unless I leave it wide open on purpose to clean it. You might want to at some point clean out the fuel separator in the fuel line and check for crap in the cup of the unit. It is located under the ski pylon in front of the engine...just above the fuel tank. If the problem persists, chances are it is dirty carbs and you 'll have to pull them apart and clean them out. There is a very small filter in them that collects any small debris in the fuel. I noticed my challenger sits flat in the water and the bilge is at the correct level to pump out any water if there was any. I never get any water in mine. I hope this helps you . If you still have questions give us a shout.

Karl

 

[Greg]

Thanks Karl, in the spirit of too much information I looked at a parts list for the 1996 challanger and noticed SeaDoo went to a ball valve type scrupper in 1998. It appears this part fits on my 1996 and would be an improvment over the rubber flap I have allowing in lake water.
Hmm, I am concerned about the speed. I did a compression test when I bought the boat, it was good. I will check the fuel filter, air intake and are the carb filters easy to get to or is it a carb teardown to get them out? Also what about the drive unit? Would a wear ring cause slower speeds at the same rpms?
Thanks
Greg

 

[Greg]

I know we all look alike but here is my 1996 Challanger.
Greg

 

[wildziner]

How are the waters up in Erie this time of year? I moved down here from Cleveland 3 years ago, and only got out to the lake for fishing trips in the summer months when it was a bit warmer. Water temp here was 87 yesterday, I can't imagine it would be too warm there yet!

 

[Greg]

ITS COLD! The water temp is around 50. I think you could last about 10 minutes so we dont play around near the water with the kids yet. No joke, if they fall in its an emergency situation. But in a few weeks it will be in the 70's and all will be well.