Year 2000 Sportster 1800 with slow acceleration

[Matthew Flewelling]

Any tips on what I can do to get a bit more acceleration out of my Sportster? I just purchased it, and when I open it full throttle, it revs up to about 3500-4000 and the bow sticks way up, but struggles to get up to top speed.... eventually the bow comes down, but tops out at about 35MPH.

The M2 wear rings are a whole assembly, but I haven't taken a look to see if it needs to be changed or not... could this be part of the issue if it's ready to be replaced? I'm just looking for advice on where I should look.... spark plugs? coils? wear ring? Gas is brand new. Just looking for possibilities, so I can grab a bunch of parts before I head to the cottage (no parts stores near my cottage)

OR... Maybe this is typical of a Sportster.... slow as shit acceleration + a top speed of 35MPH, at 4000 RPM? I have no idea... I'm used to Seadoo PWC's.

Thanks!!

 

[Dr Honda]

It would help if we knew what engine you have. Seadoo used 5 different Mercs.

But... once it speeds up... does the RPM's come up?

 

[Matthew Flewelling]

It would help if we knew what engine you have. Seadoo used 5 different Mercs.

How can I tell? The boat shows Merc v6... but I didnt' really look closely... I just got the boat. The manual shows 3 different types. This is a 2000 Sportster 1800 if that helps.

But... once it speeds up... does the RPM's come up?

I don't recall the RPM's ever changing when I had it at wide open from 3500-4000 rpms... but I could be wrong... I do remember it just sticking around the same RPM, and the speed crept up when the boat finally planed out.

 

[Dr Honda]

Just post up a couple pictures of the engine... I'll tell you what you have. Then... we can figure out what's normal... and what may be wrong.

 

[Matthew Flewelling]

Sure thing - I'll post one. Thanks!

 

[Matthew Flewelling]

Is this enough to know? I'm thinking it's a 210merc.... Thanks!

 

[Dr Honda]

It's hard to see... but is there a black plastic airbox on the front of the engine?? I think I see it, but it's dark. If it's there... then that's the 210. But, Since the starter solenoid is mounted on the top like that... yes... it's a 210.

So... what's normal.....


That engine should be getting up to 5500 RPM (or so) AND... you should be getting into the mid 40's.


So, the question is...

Is the engine smooth at it's peak RPM? If it is... you have lost spark in a couple holes. I would suggest getting a cheap in-line tester, and then check each of the spark plug leads. Both at idle, and at higher RPM's. But make sure you do all of them. Depending what ones are out, will dictate what may be bad.

 

[Matthew Flewelling]

So after closer inspection of the labels on the engine, it's 100% a 210. So I purchased new spark plugs, and am going to install them tonight. I'll check the spark then - The engine seemed smooth... but again, I don't know the boat that well, so it's hard to gauge. It never hit 4500rpm, let alone 5500 rpm.... so I'm hoping the spark plugs help, if not, I'll have to start figuring out which one doesn't have a spark, and check the coil\wires on said spark. Would the wear ring in this boat have anything to do with this, or are you speculating it's just not firing?

 

[Dr Honda]

Wear rings don't have anything to do with the peak RPM's. If the ring or impelled were bad, the engine would rev up, and you just wouldn't have any thrust.

With the RPM's being as low as you are saying... I'm assuming you don't have spark on 3 plugs.


But, since it's new to you, I would check the compression too..

 

[Matthew Flewelling]

Ok, after using the boat for a week, I have some stuff to report back on. I bought 6 in-line testers, and I have strong (seems strong to me) spark on 5 out of 6 plugs... the top most starboard side plug has a weak plug (does not follow the in-line tester or plug) I (for shits and giggles) replaced the plug with a brand new one, and same results. I haven't really dug into this engine much, but should I try seeing if it follows the coil pack? What should my next steps be? It's still only hitting 4400 RPM and nothing higher. If I'm driving with only myself on board, it has decent pickup, but not super fast... as soon as you get more than 2 people on, it barely goes above 15 mph, and the bow stays out of the water - really struggling.

Oh, and I live in Canada... any suggestions on where I can get a compatible compression gauge with schrader valve?

Thanks so much!

 

[Dr Honda]

I'm closing this thread, since you started a new one. (please don't do that again)