96 Challenger: Spark,Crank,Fuel, won't start, water in cylinders HELP!

[papabear1996]

Ok, here is my situation, forgive my long windedness in advance. On vacation and have two very sad kids cuz the jet boat ain’t running.


1996 Challenger, new SBT motor with 15 hours on it:


Yesterday morning put the boat in a nearby lake, the boat had been used the previous 3 days and ran well and strong. Tried to start; cranked over and over without start. The starter has been temperamental and would crank/stop interminably while the start button was pressed down. While still in the lake without successful start, I opened engine compartment and their was smoke coming from the battery. The red lead was loose and rubber cover was smoking.( wave jumping I presume) I cranked it down (damn that was hot) and tried to start again no success. At this point presumed battery was dead. Brought boat home and hooked up different battery and tried to start; would not turn over very well. In my desperation for a quick fix bought a starter assembly and starter solenoid and replaced both. ( more money than brains or a good Dad, you decide). So attempted to start with new parts, now cranks strong and continuous but still no start.

Pulled the plugs and cranked a few times, WATER/oil/fuel mix sprayed from cylinders. A result of trying to start in lake without success? Or something more ominous? Have spent most of the day trying to get started, I’m out of ideas. Any suggestions?

I do have spark, Crank, and fuel.


HELP!

 

[kcr357]

Time for a compression check.

 

[papabear1996]

150psi in each cylindar, how can I be sure it's getting fuel?. Still not sure I have all the water out. Running out of vacation days. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[ski33]

try new plugs!
iridium are the best but pricey.
check you fuel is not contaminated?
check all fuses!

 

[papabear1996]

Fuses checked all good, double checked spark all good, still cranking without start, even tried starter fluid. Plugs are soaking wet after attempt to start. Using new and old plugs no change. Put gas directly in carb, still nothing. Two beeps before start attempt. Any thoughts? Repair shop 2 weeks out before they can even look at it.

 

[emtmike]

OK Here is what happened to me. My boat would not start. It would roll over great but would never start. I tried everything and still nothing. The same as you the plugs were wet when I pulled them. At the time, not knowing any better, did have it hooked up to the hose. I ended taking it to the stealer. They got it running saying it was just flooded real bad. I brought it home and then to the lake. In the water it started right up. I was happy. I shut it off to load it up. Tried to start it and all i got was roll without starting. Brought it home, pulled the plugs, hit the starter and a volcano of water, gas and oil puked out of the plug holes. I also seen that there seemed to be water coming from between the cylinder head and cooling head. I pulled both and found a crack in the cylinder head. I am thinking that's how the water was getting into the cylinders'. I replaced both and it worked great. Long story short. Check the head.

 

[papabear1996]

could the head be cracked and still have full compression?

 

[emtmike]

Thats what I thought but mine did.

 

[papabear1996]

Am I missing anything electrical related, with the way this all started by the red lead coming loose, makes me wonder if I fried something in the ingnition system. I do get 2 beeps, and I do have spark. Put in new starter selonoid. Anything else that might prevent start-up on the electrical side?


Thanks
Jeff

 

[ski33]

you said you have spark fuel and its cranking ,and it ran for 15 hrs so i doubt its electrical .
sounds like you got to pull the head off and get it tested!

 

[WaveShredder9110]

If thats a recent SBT reman , you will not be able to pull the heads, it will void your warranty, Do you have the 1 or 2 year warranty???
There is a guy in Muskegon that may be able to help you.
Also check your fuel valve and see if its stiff and hard to turn, may need replacement.

 

[WaveShredder9110]

Just relized this was an old post,, did you get it figured out????

 

[papabear1996]

Nope not solved yet, just learned about a guy in nunica, same guy?

 

[WaveShredder9110]

Flytech? Ya he's good He just put a SBT in mine. Have not broke it in yet.