98 challenger 1800 what happened

[verk182]

I hope I can describe what just happend out on the lake so bare with me. Took the family out in the challenger and it was running great. New plugs and it started and idled just fine in the driveway, get to the lake and launch with no problems and cruise to our campsite. Piled some kids on the boat and went for a spin. We stopped for a bit in the middle of the lake, never shutting down, and when I put it in drive the port engine got really loud and reved to about 7000rpm, with no thrust. So I shut down and sit for a bit then fire it back up. Really loud port engine and again revs to the sky. After limping back in on the starboard engine I found that the exhaust tube from the resonator to the mufler had come off. Thought simple fix got it done and fired it up. Not quite as loud, but when put in drive it reved really high and very little thrust. So what is wrong with my boat????????????????????:ack:

 

[timmyboy76]

bummer man..hope you still had fun camp'n.

I'd check the throttle cable and/or carb for butterfly/throttle sticking. Pull the lever assy up, and check there too..

 

[tomf]

Actually, I just joined this forum to ask the same question. I also have a 1998 Challenger. I'm always told it's weeds. When I limp the boat back to shore & put it on the lift, start the engines for a few seconds, then go back out, it functions fine. That is til the next time it does the same thing. Usually soon because we live on a weedy lake. If you find out something other than weeds as the cause, let me know.

 

[Chester]

Yup, you sucked up some weeds or other debris. Have a good look at your impeller from the intake side. If that's clear, it may have washed free when you put it back on the trailer. Then re-test it.

Chester

 

[verk182]

bummer man..hope you still had fun camp'n.

I'd check the throttle cable and/or carb for butterfly/throttle sticking. Pull the lever assy up, and check there too..

My buddy had two skis, kids were well behaved, plenty of ice cold beer and the weather was good so I am not going to complain. :cheers:

I will check the throttle out, the port side has always felt sloppy.

 

[timmyboy76]

cool...cant wait to take daughter to river, Sat..be her first time..boat, swim at hotel..etc. Still wanna do the Lake Isabella in July.

If by chance you tear into the carbs, I found a thread, that stated that Seadoo, did a "somewhat recall" on your boat, as to, the pilot jet and RAVES.

You need the "upgraded" slotted raves and the pilot jets, from a 65 to a 67.5, and turn the LSA (low speed adjuster) to 1-1/2..:cheers:

Scratch the last 2-paragraphs, didnt see urs a 98, this applies to 97

 

[verk182]

timmyboy, is there a good thread about throttle cable adjustment. I need to see some pics and read up on it, I am not very good about just tearing into something. Usually I break it trying to fix it. Any input would be helpful.:cheers:

 

[verk182]

Update!!!

Just got the call from San Luis Motorsports that I didn't want to get. PTO stripped and drive shaft stripped. Total parts and labor $952.27:ack: $584 for parts and $356 for labor.

 

[slamb0513]

I had the same problem last weekend. I was riding along fine then heard some noises coming from the port side. I slowed thinking maybe it was feedback from the radio. What is sounded like was if you put a blender on low, then stick it in the cupboard so the sound is muffled. When we started back up, it got up to plane but we still heard the sound. Slowed down again, this time when we started back up, the boat got to about 3500-4000 RPM and bam, the port engine ran up to 7000 RPM.

It does have thrust (and cavitation) up until about 3500 RPM. I found out that if I get the engines to 3500, then use the starboard to get to plane, I can then bring the port up to speed and it holds.

I called the dealer and told him of my symptoms. He suggested that this is a common symptom of a worn wear ring. I am taking my boat in tonight to have it diagnosed.

I have also just read about the former recall on the 1997 Challenger 1800 that has to do with replacing the pilot jets from 65 to 67.5, turning the LSA to 1-1/2 turns out and replacing the RAVE Valves with the new slotted RAVE Valves.

Does anyone know where I can buy the 67.5 pilot jets online, and maybe a tutorial that shows how to change them out? Also, I just cleaned my RAVE Valves out last week, because my port engine was sticking at 5000 RPMs until I backed off then rammed it forward. Does anyone know where I can find a pic of an old RAVE valve vs. a new slotted RAVE Valve so I can see which version my boat has?