4-Tec with no antifreeze!!!

[cwhogan]

I just bought a 2006 Challenger 180 CS yesterday. Drove out to see the boat, checked it over, tested it in the water, paid for it. It had bottom paint and some corrosion on the external parts, but nothing too bad, so I thought it was okay. Oh, I hit 40.5mph (GPS) with 3 adult men in the boat.

However, when I got home and was going over it again I discovered the antifreeze reservoir was empty. The lines too. I squeezed one of the large hoses and could hear a gurgle, it was more like air passing thru the tube to the reservoir. Basically, I think it was mostly out of fluid.

My fear is that there is salt water damage to the heat exchange pump where the closed loop and open loop come together and the engine antifreeze has leaked out and into the exhaust cooling loop... Basically out of the boat.

Does this sound about right? Does anyone know what it would cost to fix this? I assume it means replacing the heat exchange (don't know the name of it).

Thanks

 

[sporsterjoel]

id fill the system with water and try and find your leak. Most likely it will be the ride plate. The ride plate is made up of to pieces and and they tend to leak over time where the bolts are that holds it together. Another thing i would check are the spark plugs to rule out a head gasket problem, If they look like a burn white colour then you most likely will have a head gasket problem.

 

[cwhogan]

If it was the head gasket I assume the water would be getting into the oil. The oil woul be white and frothy right? The oil looks good though.

 

[rookie101]

Typically when a head gasket goes the antifreeze enters the combustion chamber and leaves through the exhaust, so you can not tell by looking at the oil. Not saying it can't, just almost never does.

Fill the system up to proper level and pick up a pressure tester from any auto parts store and see if you can see anything visually.

If you can't find anything take the boat out for a few runs and keep an eye on the level. Just make sure you bring some extra 50/50 mix with you if you need to top it up. Just remember, like in your car or truck, never open the cap when it is hot or has pressure in the system.


Aaon:cheers:

 

[kustomkarl]

Pressurizing the system is a good way to find a leak problem. Keep a close eye on the problem or it could get expensive real quick.

Karl

 

[cwhogan]

found the leak - dripping off the ride plate

Okay, I have something to go on... There is a puddle of antifreeze under the ride plate. It appears to be leaking from the front edge and possibly 1 or 2 bolt holes.

If it is the ride plate itself, is that an easy replace (or replace)? MY experience is with jet skis, and the ride plate is just a plate in those cases.

Is it possible the leak us from another component and gravity is getting it to the ride plate? How can I tell?

Thanks

 

[kustomkarl]

By the looks of that ride plate it was left in the water for a while which is a NO NO . It is hard to tell from the pictures. Give it a good cleaning and maybe scrap it clean. Keep a close eye for the anti-freeze coming out. Chances are it is coming out of a cracked ride plate.

Karl

 

[sporsterjoel]

WOOO that plate looks tuff. Youll need to pull the ride plate out (Be carfull not to break the bolts. Then tank the ride plate apart clean it up and see if its still useable On the top there are bolts that hold it together that always leak. Most likley youll need to take it apary clean it then reseal and put it back together. ill try and find you some pic that will show you what im talking about.

 

[cwhogan]

Pics would be great. Looks like I need to invest in a shop manual. How long of a process it is to remove and reinstall the plate? Any special tools needed.

 

[kustomkarl]

Not really..if the bolts are corroded in, I would spray some PB Blaster on them and let it sit for a short time. Then they should come right out.
Here is some more information on the "premium membership";
As a premium member you can down load a authentic seadoo manual from the seadoo manual library. In the library is a variety of manuals for almost all years and models. You can view as many as you like on line as a PDF file, or download it and print it for your personal and private use. There are operator manuals and repair manuals for you to do your own repairs on your seadoo. The repair manuals have everything from troubleshooting, repair procedures to winterizing. It contains wire diagrams torque specs and pictures for disassemble and assemble instructions. In the spec sheets it tells everything needed to maintain oil changes, spark plug gaps, carburetor rebuilds and impeller wear ring tolerances. Click on the "Seadoo Manuals" link at the top of the page for more details. If you need any help or get in a jam, we are always here to answer your questions too. Premium members get priority when it comes to getting quick detailed answers.


Karl

 

[cwhogan]

That's fine. I'll probably join to get the manuals. But in the mean time, can someone tell me if replacing the ride plate on this boat is a job a DIY'er can/should do, or if it is really something for a dealer? I spoke with a dealer this morning and he said I would never be able to get the ride plate off b/c it is sealed on with silicone, etc. And they are estimating 3 to 4 hours of labor to remove/replace, and that doesn't include labor for rebuilding the plate if it is serviceable. Any thoughts please...

 

[cwhogan]

I just spoke with dealer (the are not a Sea Doo dealer) I bought the boat from. He says they weren't aware of the problem. He called the seller and the seller wasn't aware of a problem either. They jsut exchanged money this morning, so there is no getting my money back (I expected this), but the dealer says he wants me to be happy, so they (the dealer) are offering to fix the problem at the seller's cost. The seller has offered this, but I have no idea where he will draw the line.

Seems like this is my best option, however they are not a SeaDoo dealer. Should I worry about them doing the work? It has to be better than me trying to DIY it, right? I'm going to ask to be there for the pressure test and possibly disassemble. I'm assuming it is just the ride plate and it will have to be replaced (which would be better than rebuilding the corroded one). But I don't know what else could be damaged, perhaps from overheating...

Would a presure test also show me if there is a problem with the head gasket? What could go bad from an engine overheating, short of seizing?

 

[kustomkarl]

If it had anti-freeze in it chances are it didn't over heat. If the Temp sensor was triggered it would go into "limp mode" to prevent any engine damage. This allows the seadoo to be driven at a idle to get to the dock. If it over heated it would be in the memory of the seadoo also. That information is only available to a authorized seadoo dealer with the proper software to connect to the seadoo. Replacing the ride plate isn't that big a deal. Adding the anti-freeze might be the tricky part of the whole job. and that just needs to be purged to be sure it doesn't have any air bubbles in it. The plate shouldn't be a big problem to get off. Let the dealer do it and bill the ex owner.

Karl

 

[cwhogan]

Here's an update. I took it back to the place I bought it to have it fixed. It was fixed a week later. They replaced the ride plate and associated parts as well as little things like the steering connector and zincs b/c they were going bad.

All looked well from the outside and it was raining, so I brought it back home. At home I discovered the antifreeze reservoir was still empty, but this time I found no leak.

The mechanic says he filled it with antifreeze and ran it in the shop. He said that over the few days after that the air probably perked its way up and that's why the fluid is low. I'm guessing he didn't bleed it properly - so I'm taking it to a local Doo Dealer to have it checked out. They will do the 10 hour service and fill/presure test the cooling system...

Fortunately, the ride plate replacement didn't cost me anything. So in the end (assuming the checkup goes well) I should be in good shape now.

So on to a question: Can anyone tell me what manuals are available for the 2006 Challenger 180 CS in the "pay" side of this web site? The public list doesn't show anything and I haven't gotten any responses to private messages.

Thanks

 

[ou812]

I have the same boat. I registered last year as a Premium member and got the manual(same you would get from dealer). My only problem was I forgot to write the password, and didn't print the manual out. When you sign up, print the manual. I have the download on my desktop, but can't get to it!:ack:

 

[Chester]

Has anyone here successfully taken one of those ride plates apart? I've only replaced them. How easy is it to do? It appears that the top plate would be tough to remove without bending the crap out of it.

Chester