96 challenger high rpm no power

[mrclean667]

!996 seadoo Challenger high rpm NO POWER

I purchased a 96 challenger took it to the lake, put it in the water, gave it gas and off to 10 miles and hours we went. The boat had no power!! The guy at the boat shop said new wear ring and impeller. I got it back and he is saying that it is the pitch on the impeller. I read that stock is 11/22 and skat trak is 14.5/22 or 17/22. I live in albuquerque and he is saying to put an aliitude impeller on. Is there such a thing. I really hope to get this little boat running for the wife and I. All help and suggestions would be greatly apprectiated

 

[timmyboy76]

You check...

check the clearance between the impellor blades and wear ring..no morethan 1mm/.040

 

[mrclean667]

would it be the pitch on the impeller, or does that just happen when the gap on the wear ring is too large. I would like to call and help him a little on fixing my boat that I purchased from him That supposedly ran great.

 

[kustomkarl]

There is no such thing as an altitude impeller. I would just check the gap between the impeller and the wear ring. It might need replacing. It should be no more than .40 Measure it at the center of the impeller blade and in through the jet nozzle. If the impeller is pretty chewed up replace it or get a reconditioned stainless steel one a lot cheaper than new.

Karl

 

[Dr Honda]

There is no such thing as an altitude impeller.
Karl

Actually… there is an altitude impeller. For the Challenger, it’s part number 271 000 416, and that’s right off the high altitude service bulletin No. 96-19.

So, is your "no power" thing... it won’t rev up, or that it revs and goes nowhere? If it won’t rev up… you have engine problems. If it revs and doesn’t go… you have cavitation problems.

The high altitude prop, and engine retune is for boats running above 5000 ft. If you aren’t running in a mountain lake… I would say you don’t need the prop your mechanic is recommending.

The Skat-Track “swirl” impellers are known to have good acceleration, and minimize cavitation. If you do have a cavitation issue… I would look at the carbon seal, and pump shoe.

Good luck

 

[glenwhitt]

water in the boat

check to see if there is any water comming in the boat around the carbon ring and boot. Make sure all the orings are good and not sucking air. BTW oring number 9 in attached photo can be rerplaced by a clip. Just look at newer model skis for that part. Much better system.

 

[kustomkarl]

I have not seen a "high altitude" impeller. I have always been told from skat trak years ago that if needed they just go to a different degree pitch, but not a specific "altitude" changed pitch for high altitudes. Altitude will change the way an engine breathes, and runs at high altitudes. You need to readjust the carb jets and adjustments to compensate, but the water won't necessary change density...As a scuba diver, a diver needs to adjust his thinking and dive computer too as the "air" in a Scuba Tank is at a different pressure at a higher altitude and consumption rates varies...but the water doesn't change at the surface other than the atmosphere pressure slightly above 10,000Ft.. That's interesting...I'm gonna research that idea.."altitude impeller"

Karl

 

[Dr Honda]

Hey Kustomkarl…

On some insignificant level… the water pressure will change because the column of air above it becomes lighter… so you are right there. What I think it has to do with is, the air density, and the lower O2 level per volume. Since the engine makes less HP… they have to help compensate with a lower pitch prop. Although… I can’t confirm this since they don’t list the pitch on the high altitude impeller.

 

[glenwhitt]

its in the service bulletin

See attached pic for high alt settings of impeller and carbs

 

[kustomkarl]

Hey Kustomkarl…

On some insignificant level… the water pressure will change because the column of air above it becomes lighter… so you are right there. What I think it has to do with is, the air density, and the lower O2 level per volume. Since the engine makes less HP… they have to help compensate with a lower pitch prop. Although… I can’t confirm this since they don’t list the pitch on the high altitude impeller.

See attached pic for high alt settings of impeller and carbs

Interesting information guys...thanks for the heads up.

Karl

 

[mrclean667]

more questions

The mechanic is working on getting parts. I printed out the parts diagram for him so he could see what was missing. The drive saft boot didn't have any of the O rings on it. The 13mm spacers on the reverse plate the bolts onto the nozzle were missing. I did get to look at the impeller and wear ring and all looks good on that end.

One other question for now, when i had it out on the water going my 10mph WOT, I noticed a good amount of smoke coming from the exhaust. It had sat for a while so I expected this to happen. But at which point in time should it stop or cut back. New to 2 stroke engines and I know they smoke a little more than 4 stroke but not sure how much or when to worrie

By the way I am extremely thankful to all you for your knowledge and time. It is appreciated more than you know!!!!:hurray:

 

[glenwhitt]

Smoken

ya 2 stroke smoke from the oil being in the fuel. Is this premix or injection pump? if premix what is the ratio used? I use 40:1 in mine. If injector pump make sure it is timed correctly or it could be dumping in to much oil in also. When I used my pump the cable came off one time and man did it smoke !!!

Good luck

 

[kustomkarl]

You need to list you seadoo model and year in you avatar so it is easy to see for future advise.
Sometimes the seals in the crank around the rotary valve shaft will seep oil into the bottom of the engine from sitting for a while or they could need replacing. Hopefully it will just smoke for a short time after first start up then go away. I have seen some smoke like a bug sprayer...before the seals got replaced. it won't do any harm to the engine, just smoke a lot if they go bad.

Karl

 

[mrclean667]

Thanks, I didn't know about the edit personal icon. Took care of that.

Will sucking air in from the boot cause it to not get and power with high rpm or only cause it to cavitate a little. Like I said the guy who has the boat at his place doesn't work on jet pumps much so I am doing the foot work to help fix that problem. I paid a fair price for a working boat and he intends on giving it to me just trying to get it done before memorial so I have a tow on the water not hitching rides with others.

So having said that throw at me everything I can check and replace to get some speed out of it and get this thing moving 50 mph 

Thanks guys

 

[glenwhitt]

cavitation

Cavitation is caused by aeration. Putting air into the water that is used for the thrust will have a negative effect. Thanks !

 

[flynhighaf23]

hey mrclean,

what lake did you take your boat to? i live in albuquerque also and just bought a '96 challenger a month or so ago...i'm waiting to get my motor back from the machine shop so i can take it out to the lake.

 

[mrclean667]

spark plug gap

anyone know if the gap on the 96 challenger is .33 or .033

 

[mrclean667]

Update

I just wanted to give an update..

I put a new neoprene seal in the pump/boat housing. The mechanic ordered the O-Rings and 13mm spacers and other odds and ends. Hopefully get it put back together soon.

I checked the compression today it was 125psi in both cylinders.

I think that we will bring it back to life. All thanks to you guys!
KustomKarl
GlenWhitt
Drhonda
Timmyboy76

Thank you all so much for your expertise and imput!!! :hurray::hurray::hurray:

 

[kustomkarl]

Your spark plug gap is .021 to .024...

 

[glenwhitt]

I just wanted to give an update..

I put a new neoprene seal in the pump/boat housing. The mechanic ordered the O-Rings and 13mm spacers and other odds and ends. Hopefully get it put back together soon.

I checked the compression today it was 125psi in both cylinders.

I think that we will bring it back to life. All thanks to you guys!
KustomKarl
GlenWhitt
Drhonda
Timmyboy76

Thank you all so much for your expertise and imput!!! :hurray::hurray::hurray:

Sounds like the stuff your having done, and with a good impeller and wear ring, you will be off and running. let me know how it goes.

 

[mrclean667]

update

Ok here we go!!
I got the pump serviced at a Seadoo dealership after much hagle with the seller to pay for parts. Finally got it out to the lake and it planed off with my GF and I in it. But that was short lived. it went up to 7000 rpm after a minute but them dropped off to 5000. I could not get it to plane again or go over 5000. I am now having an guy who came highly recomended by several as one of the best. I get to try it out again next friday. The guy also said that if this didn't fix it he would not charge me for labor ($250).
I am assuming that the rpms would go high before with the cavitation because there was no strain on the motor. But now that the pump is sealed and pushing water with clogged carbs that would cause this problem.

Can anyone offer any other suggestions.

I have had this boat since April and have yet to actually have it work like its supposed to. I want to cry anymore thinking about this

I graduate from radiology friday then go to the lake right after. All I want for a present is a running boat. Tired of looking at it on the shore!!

Please help all, you all have been great getting me here now I would like to come back and tell everyone that it works :hurray::hurray::hurray::hurray:

Bur we'll see.

Thanks everyone

 

[clark12345]

Hello - live here in Albuquerque as well. Just got a hold of a 2005 Islandia. Same issue. Plenty of RPM but no power... did you get your issue figured out? I am really frustrated...thought I bought a clean boat. Engine only has 225 hours on it.

Started a new thread as well:

2 months ago bought a 2005 Seadoo Islandia boat. Has the mercury m2 250 optimax in it. Boat originally came from Florida and now I have it here in Albuquerque, NM. Elevation at the lakes are about 4500'. Anyway, took it out and did not have any power...felt like I was dragging an achor. Engine RPMS topped out around 5500 rpms - looked like I was pushing a ton of water out the back. Took a long time to plane out and build up speed. Tried to pull my 12 year old son behind with a water ski and couldn't hardly get him out of the water. Im very upset, dont know what the next move is or really where to take it? The Seadoo dealership here in Albuquerque no longer work on Merc. engines and then the local certified Merc. repair shops here say they don't work on jet's. Looking for some leads, advise, help and words of wisdom!