Question about 4 stroke motor compression...

[Nosnibor]

With the exception of the Mercury powered boats, it is ALWAYS, Motor on, water on, water off, motor off. And run time is to be like 45 seconds max. This is because you are not cooling the ceramic seal when using the hose. It is a FLUSH, as in you are flushing the engine. The water runs backwards when flushing as compared to the normal path/flow when riding the ski/boat.

Most use CRC and spray their engine down. I have just ordered a gallon for myself. If you don't protect the meatl, block, connections ect ect, they WILL corrode due to the salt.

Y'all are being very helpful. I feel like I may be asking too many questions. Is there like a new owners guide with all this stuff somewhere? I have read a lot of threads but this info I am getting is great and something I'd probably never know if I hadn't asked.

 

[Coastiejoe]

No issues, that is why we are here. To help others. The fresh to salt water thing is a challenge for sure. When I made the move I bet I read over 1000 posts. If you search and can't find info, you need to ask. If you don't, you can't learn.. I'm still learning every day. There are members here that know a TON of information. I am a very good parrot and I pretty much learn from them and simply repeat things.

 

[Scott0321]

Just to give you some more perspective I have an 08 Speedster in which I immediately swapped the washers in the SC once I learned they were a problem. I had ceramic in those engines and slept better at night knowing I made the change. I'm in Michigan and we have the short season too. I rarely run it like a raped ape but before she goes in this year I'll pull the SC's , send them off for their first complete rebuild. My best guess on hours is 125 -150.

From everything I've seen the 4 TECS are really good engines if you take care of them.

 

[Nosnibor]

Just to give you some more perspective I have an 08 Speedster in which I immediately swapped the washers in the SC once I learned they were a problem. I had ceramic in those engines and slept better at night knowing I made the change. I'm in Michigan and we have the short season too. I rarely run it like a raped ape but before she goes in this year I'll pull the SC's , send them off for their first complete rebuild. My best guess on hours is 125 -150.

From everything I've seen the 4 TECS are really good engines if you take care of them.

Thanks for the info! So even with a '08 you had ceramic washers. What about those hollow cores they were talking about?

 

[Scott0321]

Yes , I believe all the skis had a full changeover in 08 and the sport boats followed that. So yes it's likely a 08 sport boat would have ceramic. The valve issue should not apply to an 08 sport boat.

 

[X-Runner]

I just bought an 08 speedster as well. Only has 34 hours on her. Flipping through these informative threads has got me wanting to replace/improve some things.

Looks like ill have to install the metal washers you guys are mentioning. The previous owner had the SC rebuilt for some reason. He said he thought it was the clutch. He didnt really know much of anything about these boats(like myself) and isnt mechanically inclined on any level. I am a mechanic so i have that advantage over him. That being said, how easy/hard is it to see if the washers are metal or ceramic? Sounds like i would have to pull the SC to see them at the very least.

 

[Nosnibor]

I just bought an 08 speedster as well. Only has 34 hours on her. Flipping through these informative threads has got me wanting to replace/improve some things.

Looks like ill have to install the metal washers you guys are mentioning. The previous owner had the SC rebuilt for some reason. He said he thought it was the clutch. He didnt really know much of anything about these boats(like myself) and isnt mechanically inclined on any level. I am a mechanic so i have that advantage over him. That being said, how easy/hard is it to see if the washers are metal or ceramic? Sounds like i would have to pull the SC to see them at the very least.

I spoke with a mechanic today. He owns a shop and just seems to sell seadoo skis and boats. I asked him about the washers and he basically said he's never seen them go bad as long as you stay within the 100 hours. He told me the people that complain about it are going into the 110-120 hours thinking they can push it. That seems to make sense but I'm sure there are cases out there that didn't have that happen.

 

[X-Runner]

That does make sense. Thanks for the info!

 

[Nosnibor]

Well, now I am looking at a 2011 Challenger 180 SE with 75 hours. The price is between 18k-19k. I am going to physically look at it this Saturday. The owner is a shop who says he only buys from past customers that have only had it serviced with him in the past 3 years but who knows if that is just marketing...

What do y'all think about the price. I know the SC is going to need a build in a season or two. What should I look for specifically? And do you think it is okay for me to see a compression test? Again from the 2-tec guys they basically said if compression is good then motor is good. Does anyone know the numbers I should be looking for on that if it is necessary? Thanks again guys! Hopefully I will be on the water soon.

 

[rcguy]

Thanks for the info! So even with a '08 you had ceramic washers. What about those hollow cores they were talking about?

Have an 2008 Challenger 215 and and had the turbocharger completely rebuilt with 55 hrs on engine last summer. It had ceramic washers and lucky they were in one piece (make that two pieces) for both washers.

 

[Nosnibor]

Well I have move forward. The fiancee and I went to look at a Challenger this past weekend and put a deposit down! I am going to pick it up on Saturday! Thanks for all the info and for any future info because I know I will still be here and asking questions! We are getting a 2011 SeaDoo Challenger 180 with a SCIC at 215hp. I'm pretty freaking excited for my first boat experience...I hope it's a good one!

...I tried to upload pictures but apparently it doesn't work on this site.

 

[Coastiejoe]

It works, but only in certain ways. If you want, I'll send you my e-mail and post it for you. Let me know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk