New Seadoo Owner with a few questions

[Medic10679]

Hello

1st of all, thanks for any help you can give me. I purchased a 97 seadoo challenger 1800 last week. This is my first boat ever. I took the boat out Saturday, and have a few questions.

1. I filled up the oil tank before we went out. The orange oil light came on after a few minutes. I checked the tank and lines, everything i could tell was fine. We ran it for about 4 hours and the boat ran fine. Could I have not put enough oil in it, or could it be a bad sensor?

2. One engine always ran a little higher on the tac than the other one. Could that be a throttle cable issue?

3. This being my first boat, it was harder to turn then i expected it to be. Should i be using the engines to help it turn, or do I have steering issue.

4. is there anything I need to check or replace, just regular maintenance things?

Thanks again
Mitchell

 

[dbracela]

Hard to turn both ways or just one way?

As there are no rudders of any sort on these boats, they use the thrust from the engines to turn, so yes you have to be under power to turn.

 

[Medic10679]

Both ways, At low speeds it turns fine. Once it plains out, it took more effort than I expected.

 

[Dr Honda]

Welcome.


1) Sometimes it takes a while for the sender to saturate, if the tank was VERY low. If you still have a light on a few hours later... then I would check over the wires. Something may be loose.

2) Normal. Don't try to adjust it. Some boats have 2 different pitch impellers, and that causes the RPM difference. BUT... that's why they give you 2 throttles, and not just one. Once at speed... adjust the levers to get similar rpm's, or so the boat goes straight.

3) Normal. You are directly fighting the pressure of 2 pumps. As long as it feels free on the trailer (not running) then everything is fine.

4) There's a bunch you should do since the boat is new to you. BUT... it sounds like it's running good, so we can save it for when you "Winterize" it.


Last thing... since you were talking about oil... Seadoo's don't like TC-w3 oils!!!! You have to use a good API-TC approved oil. Did you? AND... since you have a pare for 800 engines... it needs to be full synthetic.

 

[Guest_User]

Both ways, At low speeds it turns fine. Once it plains out, it took more effort than I expected.

yup, normal. I have the 98, and low speed is super easy, up top, it`s tighter. You are steering against 2 jet pumps. (as mentioned)

I also have the same deal with the engines tach`ing out at different rpm`s. I have the same pitch impellers on both engines.
For me it`s the starboard engine that`s a bit lower, and what I looked at and replaced checks out...:willy_nilly:

Good luck with the boat! and enjoy it! it is fun and feels like a huge jetski!.