looking to buy 98 Challenger with some probs please advise

[wendttr]

Boats in rough shape !
but I can work through it if they accept my offer

1. there doesnt seem to be a location on the shaft behind the motor to access a grease fitting, there is a SS box mounted over the shaft with an electrical component on top ? I am used to adding a pump of white seadoo grease to my ski every other trip out, the grease that squeezes out is black, how can this boat not need any lube?

2.A compression test checks out in the 145 range give or take 5 on all cyl. it started slow but then ran fair, it hit about 45-50mph but for a little while one engine sputtered at 4k rpm then died then restarted and seamed Ok. I am thinking loose or wet electrical connection or fuel ?
the engine compartment is dirty n oily didnt seam too well cared for ?

3. also is there only an electrical bilge pump, my 94 ski has 2 suction tube things that suck water from the hull by the water jet action ?

your thoughts please I plan to make my offer soon

 

[jlr40]

1800

I bought my challenger two weeks ago for 3k in the same shape. I think it depends on how much you want to spend on it. My bilge is in real crappy shape, the seats are ripped, and last weekend while pulling my bother wake, the starboard engin died and won't start. After some cussing and searching, I found a ground wire that shorted the ingnition system cuasing the engine to die. Once that was fixed I tried to start and at that moment the started stopped engauging. At least I know whats wrong with it.

All in all I am still happy as hell i bought the POS. And I will have it back in the water to make myu family happy again.

BTW, If anyone else reads and posts, I am thinking of when I winterize to pull the engines and rebuild them. As said before the bilge is oily, the pump is broke, and there is a ticking in one engine. Should I rebuild, or fix as they break?

 

[cjb]

1. The only grease it needs is on the PTO and it takes synthetic grease. Do not lubricate excessively. Immediately stop when a slight movement is noticed on rubber boot. The other side of the shaft is sealed by a carbon ring that does not needs any maintenance.

2. It could be electrical or the carbs need to be clean or as simple as new spark plugs.


3. Yes there is only an electrical bilge pump.

 

[cjb]

BTW, If anyone else reads and posts, I am thinking of when I winterize to pull the engines and rebuild them. As said before the bilge is oily, the pump is broke, and there is a ticking in one engine. Should I rebuild, or fix as they break?

If compression is good on both the engines then i say leave them alone. You should rebuild carbs, clean rave valves and fix the pumps. What exactly do you mean by ticking?

 

[jlr40]

Starboard runs real rough out of water, put it in water it out performs the port. i think its running rich. oh this is weird...when i pull one of the plug wires it keeps running, a little rougher tough. when i pull the other it sputters and dies. compression in right on. i also have another prob, but i searched it and i am tring some of the suggestions. the prob is it seems as if the trottles are off, tried sync'ing them, but i get no power out of the port, and sketchy performance out of the whole. I think its Rave valve problems, but i havnt had time to tinker b/c I lost a starter Sunday while wake'ing...well thats it for now but thanks a lot for the help cjb, i will update as i tinker, and as for the engine over hauling, i really WANT to pull them to clean under them and repaint the bilge from greasy yellow, to brightass f'ing white so that i can keep up with leaks and what nots. guess i wont overhaul, maybe just pullem though. thank you again.