Recent content by Cheap Engineer

Double checked the compression and it is 125 on both still. Looks like I'll need to do a rebuild before next summer.

My 2000 GS has a weird problem. Engine starts right up in the water and idles fine. The engine will rev up to about 4500 rpm, this is a guess as there is no tach, and stay at that speed. If you can get the pump out of the water it will rev up to top speed and stay there until you let off the...

I bought a 98 Challenger 1800 in the fall of 2013 for $4250 in SE Michigan. My boat had great compression, good interior, but it needed a few things. I put wear rings and new carbon seals, boots and fixed one of the impellers. Cleaned the carbs and added Hydro Turf and have been running it...

I have a 98 Challenger 1800 that I bought two years ago. I have to agree the price seems high and the hours seem high too. Also selling a boat at the end of the season usually results in a lot lower sale price. I would check the compression of the engines to see how healthy they are, mine was...

Been working on the cosmetic side of the boat now that it is running well. Put in hydro turf, new stereo, painted the windscreens and got rid of the ratty cup holders for some nice stainless steel models. Still a few things left to do. The rubber trim around the windscreen is missing on the...

Just did the stereo in my 98 Challenger 1800 the other day. I had the factory radio and the correct color wires were there, red and yellow for power. Now if you just have orange and you check and make sure there are 12 volts there just hook it up to the yellow or red wire and you should be...

It is a 16 year old boat and the carbs haven't been gone through. You can add all the fuel stabilizer and cleaners you want but you are still going to have to take the carbs off and give them a good cleaning. There are guides online and the service manual has all the info. Just do one side at...

Always a good idea to check the compression and it isn't very hard to do. On my 98 the internal carb filters were filthy. Once I cleaned those the engines ran much better. New plugs are always a good idea. Should always carry an extra set on the boat just in case. Check your repair records...

Do both engines stall? Have you done a compression check? If so what are the numbers. What kind of oil did the previous owner use and what are you using?

If it is a 1999 that he is looking at it should have twin 787s in it. 2000 and later went to the Merc jet system. I've got a 1998 Challenger 1800. It is a great boat, but it is more work to keep it running smoothly then a 4-tec equiped boat. Of course I only paid $4250 for my boat a year and...

My 96 Speedster had two jet ski batteries. I removed them and installed a single Optima blue top. I had to cut the battery trays so that it would fit and modified the rubber tie down a little. I ran both postive wires to the postive post and both negative wires to the negative post. Ran this...

Check this link. I think it is parts 10-14. http://fiche.seadoowarehouse.com/seadooforums/showmodel.asp?Type=13&make=seadoojb&a=187&b=23&c=0&d=-HULL---ACCESSORIES

I'm going from memory, sold my 96 Speedster at the begining of the year. It should be the vent lines for the batteries. If you converted over to a regular battery vs the little jet ski batteries you can just leave it hanging there. Nothing has fallen off, there isn't a cover like on the fuel...

Latest update. I'm up in northern Michigan over by the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Towed the boat 250 miles up here. The brakes on the trailer worked great. I'm towing with a Toyota mini van. My Speedster would push on the van when you tried to stop. With the brakes on the Challenger you don't...

Nice pictures. Both of my carbon rings look just like that. I wish I would have noticed it earlier so I would have an idea of which way it was out of alignment. I'll see if I can find the alignment tool locally, but I found that I could rent it from SBT for $75 so that isn't too bad. How...