just bought 97 challenger HELP!

[Challenger97]

Hello I'm new to this forum, not mechanically inclined and just bought a 97 Challenger. Both engines started when I went to look at the boat and both engines started on our maiden voyage; however, after getting her up to speed and back down to idle, engine one went down. I tried a dozen times to restart the engine using the choke and nothing! I brought it back in on one engine thinking I may have flooded it, the next day still nothing. After owning a GTX for 10 years and having to replace the plugs every year I tried that. Now engine two sounds better than ever; however, engine one still only clicks followed by a clunk. When I bought the boat the owner said he replace a couple of the black and red plastic domes because they are know to be problematic. I noticed one looked older than the other on the bad engine so I took it apart and when I did I noticed that the rubber gasket was not on properly and that it was full of oil. I cleaned it up and put it back together and still nothing. I later looked up the part and I believe what I messed with was a rave? Any suggestions on what to do next or condemnations for messing with the rave and not knowing what the hell I was doing? Please help, really bummed out that I can't use our new boat! Thanks Adam

 

[scooper77515]

Pull the spark plugs out of that dead engine, and attempt to turn the engine over by hand. Grab that big "wheel" at the back of the engine where the drive shaft goes in, and see if you can spin it.

Report back on if it turns easily or not.

 

[Challenger97]

?

Hey thanks for the tip, but pardon my ignorance. I'm not seeing any wheel on the engine. Where is it in relationship to the spark plugs or the purple arm of the engine? Sorry I'm a biologist, I really appreciate your help!

 

[scooper77515]

At the back of the engine, attached to the grease nipple where the drive shaft goes in. There should be a big flywheel, or metal disk that spins around with the drive shaft.

Grab that and try to turn it with the spark plugs out.

 

[Challenger97]

Just how screw am I?

OK well I couldn't find the fly wheel so I went to my local dealer and looked at their workshop manual and ordered one for myself while I was at it. Low and behold it was under a cover duhh? Anyway the wheel moves smoothly for exactly one half turn and then no more. So is this good news that it moves smoothly or bad news cause it wont go any further (engine won't turn over) What now? Thanks again so much, I'm trying to get this thing going so I can take my father fishing on Fathers Day but starting to think the time line and the budget is about to go out the window!

 

[scooper77515]

That is most definitely bad news. Something is really wrong, and it will likely take a mechanic to figure it out. You will need to start disassembling the engine to find out what is blocking it from moving.

You DID remove BOTH spark plugs, correct?

If so, it should move freely completely around. If it stops, something is catching a piston or possibly something else in the drive train, such as stuck in the jet pump.

Visually inspect the jet pump on that engine, make sure there is nothing stuck in there. Intake grate also, under the boat where the water comes in. If that is all clear, you will most likely have to take the top off the engine and inspect the piston movement, and see what is making it stick.

this is not rocket science, so don't get scared and do not force anything to move where it doesn't want to.

You may take the head cover off and find something obvious and easy to fix, so don't fret just yet.

 

[Challenger97]

Thank you thank you

Ok I'll check into that and write with any updates. Thanks again!

 

[scooper77515]

Also, if you need the shop manual for that boat, you can download it by becoming a premium member. That will give you access to all the users manuals and shop manuals.

I think it is only $10.

 

[voodoo]

Scoop, a few others and I have 97 challenger - but they are single engine tilted engine 787 is the family. Maybe you have challenger 1800? - same engines as us and the jet-ski brother, I think you need a compression test on each motor to begin any diagnosis, this will tell if one or more cyls have been damaged. In the beginning of each season it is good to mark the oil tank to make certain the oil system is drinking, when you took over this boat did you get a old bottle of oil? This is very critical as most 2stroke oils do not mix, they form a gel like jelly on the outside of the jar and block the flow of oil thru the injector nozzles and the tiny oil lines that carry the oil out from the pump, you may remember this discussion from jet ski days - same situation develops and it takes 3-4 hours to occur as you described, it can be fixed by flushing with kerosene after draining the oil onto old clothes and using these to start a campfire then find the correct oil at a reputable supplier that has a foothold in your area. run the motor using pre-mix 40-1 while the kerosene is pushing the gel out, there will be some smoking, then add the new oil only 1/4 tank till you know it is drinking, after you verify the oil drinking just use gas and go enjoy.

 

[scooper77515]

voodoo, I also have the single engine, 14.5' 97 challenger. Single 787.

You cannot do a compression check on an engine that will not turn over, so he needs to figure out what is causing his engine to stop turning halfway through the rotation.

I am hoping it is something minor, maybe rave valve broke and stuck in the cylinder stopping his piston. Something he can just pull the chunk out and replace the blade, and resume riding.

Won't know til he identifies what is stopping the engine from spinning freely.