Is this diagnosis correct?

[Danielfjr81]

Hello guys, I'm new to seadoos but I just bought a 07 Challenger 180 215sc. I've got a problem with cavitation. Does okay and is manageable with my wife Ang two young ones, until you put 3 or more adults in the boat. It won't go over 10 mph if I'm lucky. I've taken the boat back 2 times to the dealer where I bought it and they have been having a seadoo mechanic work on it. 1st trip changed the wear ring 2nd trip sealed grate, ride plate and jet pump gasket.

I believe I may have solved the puzzle, took the boat out with my wife today as soon as we took off boat was having trouble planing but did eventually ( nothing like having a screaming engine but not moving so I take it easy until planing). We stopped and swam with the kids for a while then snooping around I notice quite a bit of water in the engine compartment so we headed back in to get the boat on the trailer. Boat actually took off ALOT better with all that water in there?? Hmmm I thought..... Could the problem be with the carbon ring all along??. So I decided when I got home to test this out by getting the water hose and putting some water into the engine compartment. Sure enough water started pour out of the drive shaft sleeve underneath. ALOT!! Like running out.

So my theory is that the boat actually ran better with the water in there because the pump was sucking out Water from the engine compartment and not air.

Any thoughts or anyone had this happen with them?? Does my diagnosis sound correct!!

 

[Dennis]

I think you hit the nail on the head. :cheers:

 

[Davo070]

I would also agree with your diagnosis, something else that affects these boats considerably is the distribution of the weight in the boat but I think you are onto the real problem

 

[Danielfjr81]

Thanks for the info I really hope this solves this problem. It has been a little frustrating having this nice looking boat and only being able to hit 12 mph because of this whole cavitation issue.

 

[Danielfjr81]

Well the mechanic looked at it and said the boot was too far back not pushing the stainless steel ring up firmly on the seal. Tested it and it stopped leaking water. We went to a near by lake with me, him, and two young guys that work with him total of no more than 800lbs. The boat ran better but was still cavatating out of the hole. Even he said something is not right. So below is the list of repairs thus far....

Sealed ride plate
New pump seal
New wear ring
New solas 14/19 impeller
Reposition boot to put tension on the carbon ring

I'm at a loss and I think they are too....

 

[dothadoo]

Was there a warranty implied with that boat? Did the dealer cover all the repairs? Check the hoses for the super charger. They could be cracked or disconnected and the SC could be spinning up and not getting power to the engine. How many hours are on it?

I know I drove a brand new 2011 C 180 last year with 4 adults in it and it did cavitate a little when slamming the throttle to wide open. If I eased up on it, there was no issue. It did make it to full speed though.

 

[Macster]

Best to replace the wear ring and impeller at the same time otherwise the new wear ring can be damaged. I'd check the wear ring clearances with a flash light pointed through the intake grate.

 

[Dr Honda]

Most of the time... moving the boot around on the carbon ring wont' help if it's warn.

The best thing to do, is to buy a new carbon ring, and install it. Also... I recommend putting a zip tie around the boot. That makes the boot a little stiffer, and the pump can't suck it back as easy.

When you have cavitation so bad, that the boat wont' go... it's always an air leak. And 90% of the time, that leak is at the carbon seal, or it's supporting parts.

 

[Danielfjr81]

Thanks for the suggestions...

Dothatdoo- Yes so far the dealer/owner (this boat was sold on consignment) have been paying for all these repairs. I check the wear ring and do see any visible scratching or scarring. the motor runs great once its on plane and I can hear the SC working. When I purchased it only had 12hrs on it.

Dr Honda- Is there a way to check the Carbon ring without pulling it out? I will let them know your suggestion about replacing it not just moving the boot. Question though does it always leak if it is bad?

 

[Danielfjr81]

DO NOT SEE any sorry about that