New member/ 97 challenger 1800 problems

[mustangzach812]

Hello to all,
I just purchased a 97 challenger 1800. I got a good deal on it, but didnt get much info on the boats history in exchange. When i purchased the boat the passenger side motor wouldnt turn over, it sounded like the starter was bad. I could hear the starter turning but nothing other than that. I replaced the starter and the motor fired right up. I put the boat in the water for the first time friday afternoon to see how she ran. The passenger motor seemed to run very well, but the driver side was a little slugish. Once the driver side motor got to about 6000rpm, it would back off and die. The boat was also almost impossible to get on plane. I pulled the boat out and replaced the plugs and fuel filters then put it back in. It seemed to be running better but i was still having the problems with the drivers side motor. I ran the boat at about 4500rpm for about 25 minutes to see if i could get a possible fuel blockage loose. The boat ran great at this rpm. After about 35min i pushed it up to 6000rpm to see if it had fixed the problem, and the motor died again. I immediatly shut off the other motor and sat in the water for about 15 min trying to figure out what could be going on. Then when i went to start the motors back up the passenger side motor wouldnt crank and was making the same starter noise it did when i bought it. So i am lost, i limped home on the driver side motor and have tried to start the other on several times since then and still nothing other than that noise. I checked my connections on the starter and they are tight, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Also does anyone know what is going on with the drivers side motor losing it at 6000rpm, thanks in advance.
Zach Hinton
Ft. Hood, TX

 

[kustomkarl]

Welcome to the seadoo forum Zach. It sounds like the carburetors need to be cleaned. inside them is a small filter that clogs easily. I would check the wiring from the battery and especially the ground going to the starter. I believe that should solve your problems. If not give us a shout and we'll dig a little deeper.

Karl

 

[mustangzach812]

ok, i will try those as soon as i can and let you know, thanks for the quick response.

 

[mustangzach812]

Is there anything i should know about the carbs, are they easy to dissasemble, do i even have to dissasemble them to clean them, sorry but i dont know to much about all this stuff.

 

[kustomkarl]

The carburetors have to be take off the seadoo to be cleaned. Than they have to be dissasembled without tearing the diaphrams. If you do tear them you will need to rebuild them. Do you have a shop manual? It isn't a hard job but a manual will be a big help, if not anything else a good reference incase you forget something. If you want 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 privet 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.

Karl

 

[mustangzach812]

That sounds great karl, but do they offer a manual for the 1997 challenger 1800, and if so will it walk me through a carb rebuild because i have never done that, and are there any parts i need to order to rebuild the carbs. thanks

 

[kustomkarl]

I would first just tear them apart...one at a time and be careful not to tear the diaphragms. Use carb cleaner to clean the passages and the small parts. Be on your toes as not to loose pieces and keep track of how things go together. I would take pictures if you could so you won't forget also. The manuals is real good and will walk you through it step by step. It is easy to read and understand. I believe you have the 787 engines in your challenger so the manual is the same for a lot of seadoo's, concerning the engine and the carbs. If you need to order the new rebuild kit's they have everything needed to rebuild them complete. As always if you get in a jam give us a shout and we'll get you back on track and in the water real soon.
:cheers:
Karl

 

[mustangzach812]

Ok, im in, and will pull the carbs tommorow, do you know where i can purchase the rebuild kit from. i probably need to get that soon so i dont have to much down time. Also, will a dirty carb make the boat hard to get on plane. I really appreciate all the help, i tried to call the dealer and talk to them about this stuff, but of course they cant help without seeing the boat. Which i take means they want my money.....but i guess they have a business to run, right?

 

[kustomkarl]

I own a business too...a Kustom Vehicle business here in Florida...I guess I have great eyes with all the seadoo's I help and haven't seen a single one...that's why I have a successful business after 23 years. I help people and not just think about the money...and this forum is all volunteer... I donate my time to help everyone for free...except when I'm in my own seadoo on the weekends. Than I can't be found ( lol)
I would try" http://www.babbittsonline.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/default.aspx " they seem to have good prices.
Keep us posted and if you get in a jam ...you know what to do...give us a shout.

Karl

 

[seadoosnipe]

Bolts....

Zach, be careful of the bolts. With the age of your boat, your likely to run into aluminum oxide seizing the bolts to the rotary plate. If had a lot of problems with this and have seen several others in the forum with it too.
You may also find your carb rebuild kit at www.sbtontheweb.com for about $35 bucks a carb. Pretty good price.

 

[mustangzach812]

Bolts HMMMM....

Botls, BOLTS, well i wish i would have read this before i worked on the boat. anyway, i traced the hot wire from the starter on the passenger side motor back to the fuse box or whatever its called. The power coming from that motors starter wasnt completley tight, or at least i thought it wasnt, so i tightened a couple turns and the bolt broke off in my hand, uh oh. It was were the starter hooks up to the solinoid i think, sorry for the misspell. So now i doubt it was even that lose that it could have been causing the problem. But i guess i need a new solinoid, because the pass side motor sol now has half a bolt. Anyone know where i can get one? I checked all the fuses in there and they seem to be good. I also took the hot off the pass side solinoid and switched it to the hot side of the driver side solinoid, and all i got was a loud click, any ideas. All of the rest of the connections seem to be good, i was thinking about just replacing the whole ground wire on the pass side motor since it is short and runs straight to the battery. My starter is under warranty, it has only been started about 8 times before it quit, do i need to send it back? Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Also i am oredering the carb rebuild kits tonight and will knock that out as soon as they come in. I am so excited to get this boat going, my wife is pregnant and i only have 6 months before i head back to Iraq, so i am a little impatient right now, i know thats a bad thing, but it just looks like so much fun sitting in the garage.....

 

[mustangzach812]

Well i found a starter realy which is the proper name i guess. I will go ahead and pick on of these up. Are these boats bad with starters, i had been told that, but never knew if it was true or not......

 

[kustomkarl]

Glad You got the parts needed...keepus posted on progress.

Karl

 

[Gunsrunner]

Hi mustang,
I have a 1997 challenger 1800 and have changed 1 startor and need to do the other, both my fault.
1st one burnt out after trying to start for too long without a cool down break.
2nd has been getting wet and rusted so doesn't engage all the time, but give it a wack with steel bar, normally frees it up.
The starter is made for the job ,if we look after them they should last the lifetim of the boat.
And yes they are awsome fun when you get them going well!!!:cheers:

 

[mustangzach812]

Hey gunsrunner is there a reason are starter is getting wet, it is my passenger side one that is getting wet and i am having problems with. Also, what exactly how does letting the starter cool down work. I just assumed i could start them whenever i needed. Do i need to pay attention to how many times i use the starter when i am out.

 

[kustomkarl]

If the starter is used and not allowed to cool down, say the engine isn't firing up for some reason, it could over heat the starter and cause damage.
Don't use the starter for more than say 5 or 6 seconds at a time and let it cool down for about 10 or 15 seconds between attempts to start. If you just keep holding the starter on and it isn't starting it will fry the starter.

Karl

 

[mustangzach812]

OK, sounds good. Thanks for the clarification. I was just wondering if there was some specific way to use the starter on these boats.