Buying 97 seadoo challenger 1800

[thaidoggs]

Hi all! I am a newbie and am looking at buying a 97 seadoo challenger 1800. The boat is at a dealer right now getting a service and I am told it has a service history. I have read alot of threads here and on other forums about buying but have a question. While at the shop with the buyer I asked about the compression test, the mechanic (quite young) said that anything around 110psi is good. Now in just about every thread I have read they recommend 120-140psi with 150 being a tight engine. If the reading actually comes out to be say 110psi what should my next step.
A) buy the boat and get the top end redone?
B) tell the dealer he is full of **** about the compression
C) get the seller to pay for the top end rebuild?
D) ride her till she drops then overhaul the engines?

-The small windshields have cracks near the hinges
-the port side rear has a small hole/dent (size of a dime) that has penetrated the fiber
-the port engine looks like it swallowed a rope (grate is gone and a yellow rope is stuck in the remains) and impeller looks like a dent has been caused from the ingestion.
Don't ask the selling price cause here in the middle east these boats are double what I would pay back in Canada.
Other then that the boat is immaculate

 

[timmyboy76]

nice boat, have the same...110 is little low, but will work, or you can, hone/bore it, and drop new pistons in.
Make sure, you thoroughly inspect this boat. Reason being, not the motors, but everything else has been "discontinued"..seat pans, steering cable, throttle cables..etc, so double check everythiung, and go from there.

 

[glenwhitt]

discontinued parts

nice boat, have the same...110 is little low, but will work, or you can, hone/bore it, and drop new pistons in.
Make sure, you thoroughly inspect this boat. Reason being, not the motors, but everything else has been "discontinued"..seat pans, steering cable, throttle cables..etc, so double check everythiung, and go from there.

I can still get all the cables for my 96 Challenger. Why would they discon for a newer boat even? I see the steering cable for the 97 1800 on the microfish with part number 277000566. Ran that through google and get mucho hits. Would they not be able to get it to me?

 

[timmyboy76]

I can still get all the cables for my 96 Challenger. Why would they discon for a newer boat even? I see the steering cable for the 97 1800 on the microfish with part number 277000566. Ran that through google and get mucho hits. Would they not be able to get it to me?

Your throttle cables', used in other boats...the steering cable for that boat (97 1800) AINT GONNA GET, trust me...I needed one about month ago. Yeah, they say/label, just order it, then they'll call you and say, sorry cant order it...check this link out.

http://seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=13494&highlight=cable

 

[seadoosnipe]

Parts...?

Timmyboy is right. A lot of the places you look for parts, will list them by part number and you might think your in luck. But, when you place the order, in a day or so, you'll get a generated message that says that part has been "discontinued".

If you try as many as you can find, you may eventually find a parts distributer that still has one on the shelf, collecting cob webs...........

Like timmyboy says, "trust me, I know. I too have the 97 model Challenger". When I find a part, I buy it. Even if I don't need it!.......:cheers:

 

[mattyc75]

discontinued parts

is this the same with 98 challenger 1800?

 

[glenwhitt]

wow

Did not know that. So far everything i have needed for my boat i have found. I have archived the cable post so if in need I know the guy that can get me the fix

I just checked all my cables tonight as I put carbs back on after changing pop off springs. They all are looking very good Cant wait ti get back out after the carb fixes and rave rebuilds.

 

[timmyboy76]

is this the same with 98 challenger 1800?

probably ok, until next year..:ack:

 

[timmyboy76]

Did not know that. So far everything i have needed for my boat i have found. I have archived the cable post so if in need I know the guy that can get me the fix

I just checked all my cables tonight as I put carbs back on after changing pop off springs. They all are looking very good Cant wait ti get back out after the carb fixes and rave rebuilds.

you tell'n me, as you can tell in my thread..wasnt on of my better days...until found that company. Man, whatta find. Tried for a week, get'n the o.g. one unstuck, but no luck..
Hey, hope all goes good with those carbs...:cheers:

 

[thaidoggs]

Well these guys at the dealer are telling me now that the compression is 95psi and get this they say it is " well with in limits" does anyone have documentation from somewhere that specifies compression should be 120-140psi that I could print off for them as I think they have no idea what they are talking about.

 

[timmyboy76]

sbt..

http://www.sbtontheweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16019

 

[thaidoggs]

http://www.sbtontheweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16019

Thanks timmyboy I have found that one already but I can't find what the compression is actually suppose to be in the shop manual.

 

[timmyboy76]

dude, you aint got to prove anything to those, dumba**es. Did you buy the boat, or are they they ones sell'n it. If thats the case, who knows, what mikey-mouse crap they did.

 

[thaidoggs]

No I haven't bought the boat yet it is through a private seller who has the boat in for service. Since I am currently living in the middle east sending the engines to SBT would probably cost the same at the boat! I am going to talk to them today to see how they check compression and then go there and show them how to do it properly.

 

[timmyboy76]

Considering it turns over/fires up..then, with 95psi, you could get a piston kit, and hone the cylinders, and from there, be back up/running with ecceptable compression...:cheers:

 

[thaidoggs]

Apparently the boat runs as the seller had it out a couple of weeks prior to getting it serviced. When I go to the shop on tuesday I will let you know the outcome of this. Thanks for all your help.:rant:

 

[timmyboy76]

you test it..

thats the famous phrase..."it ran when I stored it for the winter"..:bs:

 

[thaidoggs]

thats the famous phrase..."it ran when I stored it for the winter"..:bs:

Not to worry this boat will be run up and water tested before any money changes and only if they fix the compression.

On another note I came across 2007 and 2008 seadoo challengers and speedsters "NEW" for prices of $8000.00-$10000.00 and $15000.00-$19000.00site is alibaba. I am not to sure about this deal but I have a friend in Indonesia who can check things out for me.

 

[thaidoggs]

Ok I have changed my mind (just like a woman) since reading all the threads I have decided to buy a boat from the states. 07 Speedster wake 430hp. Living in the middle east sucks but getting obsolete parts for a 97 challenger would be worse while here. So I am just about to close a deal for the wake and it is like new with very low hours. Wish me luck!:hurray: