2012 Sea Doo Challenger 180 SP Starting issues

[gregsvette1979]

So I have a 2012 Sea Doo Challenger that wont start.. I bought it from a women who is going through a divorce and the boat has been sitting in storage for the last 2 years.. I changed out the battery, cleaned the cables and grounds to the engine.. When I turn over the boat is sluggish turning over.. I have done a compression test on the cylinders and they all have around 75lbs all 3 cylinders.. Would the boat turning over so sluggishly affect the amount of compression? Its weird that all the cylinders have the same compression. I have ordered a new starter, starter relay as well as oil & Gas syphon kits..
When I go out I will take a video of the boat when I go to start it.

Thanks for any info.

 

[doodooboat]

Have you changed the plugs following the compression test?

 

[gregsvette1979]

I have.. still no bang...

 

[doodooboat]

Dang... I was hoping you would have an easy day! Coil Packs and Coil Cables?

 

[gregsvette1979]

So I hooked up the plugs and I saw spark at all the plugs..

 

[gregsvette1979]

I ordered an oil change kit and its gonna be here on Wednesday.. I'm gonna drain the oil and see if there are metal fillings in the oil..

 

[MacSeaDoo]

75 PSI on all 3 cyl's leads me to believe either an error with the testing or major catastrophic systemic issues with lubrication.

I would be leaning on error with the testing.

How did you test? Are you turning it over in drowned mode? (no fuel) You mentioned it is turning over slowly? Normally as long as you get several compression cycles speed should not affect compression.

You should be getting above 120 PSI. If 75 PSI is real, you most likely will not get ignition as you would be basically half of spec.

Let us know how you make out..

 

[gazzaskirepair]

You should be getting around 300RPM on the starter
Sounds like rings seized on pistons pull jet pump and check again
Put dome wd40 or penetrating oil down plug holes and turn it over every couple of days

 

[MacSeaDoo]

You should be getting around 300RPM on the starter
Sounds like rings seized on pistons pull jet pump and check again
Put dome wd40 or penetrating oil down plug holes and turn it over every couple of days

Great point...

 

[gregsvette1979]

Great point...

putting down the penetrating fluid im assuming will release the ring.. but is it going to hurt anything?

 

[gregsvette1979]

You should be getting around 300RPM on the starter
Sounds like rings seized on pistons pull jet pump and check again
Put dome wd40 or penetrating oil down plug holes and turn it over every couple of days

Good afternoon,
Thank you for the information.. will putting something like PB blaster hurt the engine in any way.. also how long normally does it take before it works.... if it does im assuming.

I have a mobile mechanic that is going to come look at it next week, he thinks with the low compression and sluggish start that it is going to need at least a top end rebuild...

 

[gazzaskirepair]

Best tell him it’s a four stroke
You need to pull engine out to do any work on pistions
PB blaster shouldn’t go any damage
Leave it in for about three days then turn engine over with plugs remove
Place a rag over spark plug holes to catch the fluid shooting out
The problem with the Seadoo is the engine is canted so PB blaster won’t get to the complete circumference of the pistons but nothing to loose

 

[4tec hoarder]

check the jet pump for debris stuck in it, then pull it and check the bearings

 

[gregsvette1979]

Best tell him it’s a four stroke
You need to pull engine out to do any work on pistions
PB blaster shouldn’t go any damage
Leave it in for about three days then turn engine over with plugs remove
Place a rag over spark plug holes to catch the fluid shooting out
The problem with the Seadoo is the engine is canted so PB blaster won’t get to the complete circumference of the pistons but nothing to loose

SO I did some more investigating this morning on the engine.. Decided to pull the fuel injectors and they are gummed up to shit.. looked inside the intake head assembly and wow.. its all gummed up with crap.. do you think that I may just need a new head unit?

 

[dsm]

I am wondering if what you are seeing there is salt. Maybe the boat was run with a leaking intercooler and ingested a lot of salt water, which evaporated and left that salt behind? If so, and it's sat that long, and with your other symptoms, would think the rings and pistons are probably pretty rusted up and you need a lot more than a head. Something got in there that shouldn't have, and if it's in the manifold, it's in the cylinders too.

 

[gregsvette1979]

I am wondering if what you are seeing there is salt. Maybe the boat was run with a leaking intercooler and ingested a lot of salt water, which evaporated and left that salt behind? If so, and it's sat that long, and with your other symptoms, would think the rings and pistons are probably pretty rusted up and you need a lot more than a head. Something got in there that shouldn't have, and if it's in the manifold, it's in the cylinders too.

Your right it was the intercooler.. I preaaure tested it this morning and with hose water she was leaking... the pistons looked good with a scope.. I'm gonna clean everything up soak everything in sea foam and see what happens..

 

[Piper Mike]

Any further news on the 180SP ?

 

[gregsvette1979]

Any further news on the 180SP ?

So i decided I was just going to bite the bullet and change the engine out.. I only had a day to install it before I had to leave for a work trip.. I got the new engine all hooked up and i had no power to the engine or cluster.. Didnt really have time to look to see what is wrong.. ill be back around Thanksgiving.