97' challenger 787 turns over then doesn't

[winch_surfer]

I have a 97' challenger 787 that had been winterized. New battery late last year that was properly stored and charged before replacing. The boat started right up no problem, and only ran 10 seconds till I shut it off because no water was run to engine (no hoose or lake). I was going to put the boat in water the next day (today) so tried another test start before getting to launch with no success.

The engine will turn over afew times then stop as if pressure builds in the cylinder and wont let it turn over. If I wait a few minutes it will turn over a few times then stops again as if pressure is building. If I remove and replace plugs (as to relieve pressure), I get same thing; turn , turn, bind. With plugs out, the engine will turn over no problem. I turned fuel off, and rolled engine till dry. After, plugs were replaced with same result.

While going over engine I noticed a RAVE valve had a bad bellows and needs replacement, but I don't think this would cause the issue (Right?) because the slide would be in the starting position anyway.

again battery was charged, same situation.
Can I test at starter for volt/ amp? Do starters loose strength or just die?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[scooper77515]

RAVE valve bellows failure won't cause this.

Sounds like battery.

Do you have a strong car battery sitting around that you could "borrow" just to see if it works. Do not jump it, borrow it.

Could also be starter gone bad.

What is wrong with the RAVE bellow? I had a motor that would melt them out constantly, and failed almost immediatly afterwards (threw a rod). Not sure if the issues were related, but the previous owner did not tell me if he had the problem before I when I bought it, but as soon as I got it I melted through 4 of them, and that cylinder was the one that tossed a rod. Coincidence???

 

[winch_surfer]

i'm so sure its not the battery, that i now think its got to be the battery.

tomoro i will get a load test, and 'borrow' a battery to be sure.

 

[kcr357]

Sounds like too much resistance somewhere. If the current doesnt flow freely enough, it will heat up the wire and in turn create even more resistance, which would cause your engine to fail to turn over eventually.

 

[scooper77515]

i'm so sure its not the battery, that i know think its got to be the battery.

I LOVE that line. If only more mechanically inclined people would heed those words...:hurray:

I am going to copy and paste it to the Maverick Forum, where I am also a lurker.

 

[winch_surfer]

Unfortunatly my battery is good.

test results- 12.76volts 685amps

So resistance you say.

I'll check all connections and post back.

 

[aage21]

We are having the same issue, but we had it in the water running good. We ran it for the day, no problems, the next day we took it out, ran great, then it had bogged down and died. Now it wont start, turns over like discribed above. we have had changed batteries, made sure they were charged. We have at least some compression, with the finger check(will check later when we get a compression tester). The only difference is that ours is a 96' with same motor.

Any suggestions would be nice.

 

[aage21]

I tried the batter connections, cleaned them up. I got it started, ran it for a few with the hose hooked up. So I decided to take it to the water for an actual trial. Got there and it wouldnt start. It actually turns over now, but doesnt sputter or anything. I checked to for spark, that seemed ok. The plugs are new. The gas filter looks clean, was full of gas too.

Anything Im missing? Suggestion would be nice.

Thanks

 

[timmyboy76]

finger over the plug hole with 20psi in cylinder, WILL feel like alot.

Do compression test, if good, then go thur carbs..

 

[aage21]

yeah we just found out that it looks like we threw a rod or something. part of the crank case was sitting in the bottom of the boat.

Got any pointers or how to's on changing that?? Maybe a good place that i could get parts?