Boat project 07’ 180 Challenger 215 *Update video

[StayinSalty]

We purchased this boat new back in 07. Unfortunately someone left the plugs in one year and the engine was submerged in water for an extended time.

A mechanic rebuilt the engine and it was running with no issues.

The boat was taken out occasionally but eventually sat for a number of years. In 2016 the boat was brought to a mechanic to get her going again. The engine had milky oil. He replaced the oil several times, fresh gas and battery. It turned on no problem. Drove it the water for approximately 100 meters and it began to overheat. Then stopped running completely. It then sat for 4 years until recently

I brought it to a recommended mechanic who advised the engine would need to be replaced do to water in the engine. Bought an SBT motor and he installed it. I figured there would be issues along the way. He rebuilt the supercharger. also had issues starting it. So he replaced the starter and relay as well as a fresh battery.

He had continued to work on it for weeks on weeks but called and stated he is losing money working on the boat. He was extremely fair with labor and removed the hours he spent on it.

He advised that the motor won’t turn on unless it is jumped, even with a new battery. The wires get very hot. He stated he replaced all the components that actually start the motor but has no luck. He said the gauges are not showing any warnings that he could see but they are pretty faded I appreciated him being honest so I don’t fault him.

I’m going to pick up the boat and bring it somewhere else. I don’t plan on giving up on the boat. I will be wrapping the boat and getting new upholstery once the engine is squared away.

Any ideas?

 

[StayinSalty]

Picked up my boat from the mechanic. He told me it’s hard to start even when not hooked up to the driveshaft. Side note: the jetpump was tight so he got it loosened up.

Got a Seadoo mechanic to come over and diagnose.

Included some pics of the boat. Planning on doing Seadek and Jetarmor seats.

 

[4tec hoarder]

driveshaft was tight so we got it loosened up ??? What does that mean? was the jet pump seized? Engine replacement should take hours, not days, or weeks.
There are mechanics, and there are SeaDoo mechanics

 

[StayinSalty]

driveshaft was tight so we got it loosened up ??? What does that mean? was the jet pump seized? Engine replacement should take hours, not days, or weeks.
There are mechanics, and there are SeaDoo mechanics

yeah the jet pump not the driveshaft. He came recommended for working on jetboats. All in all, it didn’t work out but he was honest. As far as the time, I wasn’t in a rush.

Hopefully, the next mechanic figures it out.

 

[MacSeaDoo]

Just some advice...

Taking on a project boat and relying on mechanics to do all of the diagnosis and work will most likely result in you spending about the same or more than buying a similar boat used but in good condition unless the boat is basically given to you. (Which may be the case)

Also, if you don't put timelines on repairs the more likely your boat will become make work projects for mechanics.

 

[StayinSalty]

Just some advice...

Taking on a project boat and relying on mechanics to do all of the diagnosis and work will most likely result in you spending about the same or more than buying a similar boat used but in good condition unless the boat is basically given to you. (Which may be the case)

Also, if you don't put timelines on repairs the more likely your boat will become make work projects for mechanics.

Thanks for the advice. It’s a family boat and there’s sentimental value. If I didn’t have it already, I wouldn’t buy a boat. I’d just rent one because of the costs.

I’m trying to get better at working on it and have done some stuff to it. Plus sites like this are great for knowledge. I’ve learned a lot by reading on other projects.

You’re absolutely right about the timelines too.

At this point I’m making it a weekend project. Not in a huge rush to get it in the water right away. Basically taking it step by step.

 

[MacSeaDoo]

I hope then you can get this boat back working without spending too much money on it. Feel free to ask questions here as there are lots of do it yourselvers here...

 

[StayinSalty]

I really appreciate. Got a great group of people on here.

 

[Digdog]

If all the components to start the engine were replaced and the battery is good then possibly the wire(s) connecting the battery to the solenoid(starter relay) or from there to the starter and or the ground wires have gone bad (corroded) inside the connectors and need testing or replacing or cleaning, it sounds like there is alot of resistance in the wires. Not really sure about how you can loosen up a jet pump? It's bearings inside and if they are bad you are going to seize up eventually, especially if they were dry and corroded.

 

[StayinSalty]

If all the components to start the engine were replaced and the battery is good then possibly the wire(s) connecting the battery to the solenoid(starter relay) or from there to the starter and or the ground wires have gone bad (corroded) inside the connectors and need testing or replacing or cleaning, it sounds like there is alot of resistance in the wires. Not really sure about how you can loosen up a jet pump? It's bearings inside and if they are bad you are going to seize up eventually, especially if they were dry and corroded.

That’s great info. I’m gonna look into it. I’ll take a look at the jet pump. That makes sense about the bearings

 

[StayinSalty]

So I began looking for any electrical issues.

There was a wire coming from the fuel pump that had a small break, which exposed some wire.

Some of the main wire harness was submerged in standing water.

On the same wire harness by where it connects to the fuse box, the rubber cover was melted. Though I couldn’t find any damaged wire behind it.

I checked the fuse box and they all seem fine. But there is a 3amp for the gauges and it appears it should be a 2amp.

I checked the fuses coming from the battery switch and found one with corrosion.

I included a wire plug that does not plug into anything. What does this do?

Thoughts?

 

[StayinSalty]

Replaced the fuse. Nothing changed. Engine wants to start but won’t. Got 4 quick beeps.

 

[MacSeaDoo]

Is it just me or are all those fuses out of order?

When you say it wants to start, can you elaborate?

 

[StayinSalty]

Is it just me or are all those fuses out of order?

When you say it wants to start, can you elaborate?

According to the diagram they’re right from what I can see. But it’s honestly the first time I’ve looked at em.

as far as it wanting to start, it basically half cranks and stops. The mechanic told me he got it to run after jumping the new battery. Also, it hasn’t recently been scanned on a Candoo And the gauges are faded. Wish I knew more.

 

[4tec hoarder]

4 beeps means key is on the post
can you post a video of it trying to start?

 

[StayinSalty]

4 beeps means key is on the post
can you post a video of it trying to start?

So I tried to upload a video on here but couldn’t. So I put it on YouTube. Here’s the link.

 

[4tec hoarder]

Pull the plugs and see if water or maybe fuel shoots out when cranking. it sounds like it’s hydrolocked
the old motor had water in it? was the intake manifold emptied of that water? It can hold a lot of water and the engine will keep sucking it in

 

[StayinSalty]

Pull the plugs and see if water or maybe fuel shoots out when cranking. it sounds like it’s hydrolocked
the old motor had water in it? was the intake manifold emptied of that water? It can hold a lot of water and the engine will keep sucking it in

Ive far as I know he took the Intake manifold off.

i pulled the spark plugs and didn’t see any water. I did notice that the spark plugs seemed old even though I paid for new ones. I’m including a pic. The spark plug closest to the back seat did not smell like fuel but the others did.

The mechanic replaced one injector but just cleaned the other two (not sure which ones are new or just cleaned).

Keep in mind the boat sat for the past 4 years and about 3 before that. The motor heated up in between those years and locked up.

The mechanic said it does start and run if it’s jumped but the wires get hot.

 

[4tec hoarder]

But does it crank fast with the spark plugs out?

get the correct amperage fuses in it before you cook something expensive

 

[StayinSalty]

But does it crank fast with the spark plugs out?

Sounded like it wanted to start. I only had one out at a time.

 

[4tec hoarder]

it didn’t sound like it wanted to start in your video, it sounded like you have a dead battery. Put jumper cables on it from your car but don’t start the car, then try to start it.

 

[StayinSalty]

it didn’t sound like it wanted to start in your video, it sounded like you have a dead battery. Put jumper cables on it from your car but don’t start the car, then try to start it.

Ok I’ll try that. The mechanic told me he used a battery jumper that was plugged into the wall and that will start the boat. It is a brand new battery

 

[StayinSalty]

Ok I’ll try that. The mechanic told me he used a battery jumper that was plugged into the wall and that will start the boat. It is a brand new battery

I hooked up a car battery and gave it a shot. No luck.

I’ve been reading up on multimeters. So I started checking fuses, even when they looked fine, for practice.

I found the ground wires and was going to take them off but I don’t have the right bit.

Took the positive lead off of the battery and starter and took any grime off too.

 

[4tec hoarder]

So try taking all 3 plugs out and cranking it with a fully charged battery.
you really need to put the correct fuses in it, some of them are way higher than should be in it. I don’t think it has anything to do with the problem, but it could become a problem if you cook something because you have a 30amp fuse in a 5amp slot

 

[StayinSalty]

So try taking all 3 plugs out and cranking it with a fully charged battery.
you really need to put the correct fuses in it, some of them are way higher than should be in it. I don’t think it has anything to do with the problem, but it could become a problem if you cook something because you have a 30amp fuse in a 5amp slot

Yeah about the fuses, I have no idea why they were mix matched. I moved them around for now. Gonna have to get the right ones.

So take the plugs out and then try starting while it’s jumped on another battery? Just wanted to make sure. thanks