bought a 97 challenger 1800. from what the previous owner said, it hasnt been used much if at all the past year. initially it did not want to plane quickly. i just recieved both wear rings and driveline repair kit from sbt. that will be going in this week. two more days on the lake though and the driver side engine is running rough. it hesitated at 5k, then after planning it jumped to 7k to match the other engine. (common prob as ive read) but it got worse as the day went on. i also noticed that a quick stab of the choke knob would bring the engine to life immediately. (running too lean in the mid?) well i pulled the raves. they were gunked, see pics. cleaned them with a wire wheel, mucho better. i didnt want to get them uber shiny though as i was afraid of taking any material off. just did enough to remove the carbon, hopefully that is the correct way about doing it. also both raves had slots which is a plus.(also checked other engine, they too are slotted and will get a cleaning). now when i reinstall them, should i crank down on the raves all the way until they bottom out, as well as the red cap on top? i read something about that on the forum when searching but wanted to double check.
next i pulled the carbs on the problem engine. there was plenty of trash in it, and orange 'gunk'. im not sure what this is, its almost a rust color. i noticed this on my sit-down seadoo as well when i cleaned its carb last year('90 587). so i start taking them apart and the front carb has a 142.5 main jet and 67 pilot. the back carb has a 145 main and 67 pilot. ??? also i notice that the adjusters are set differently between the two carbs but im unsure which is which. there is the small brass adjuster and the large black wing adjuster with bigger external looking spring. the thing is the boat fires right up and idles just fine. im hoping the dirty carb and rave valves are the problem but as long as i have it apart i want to check everything. is there a way to check the diaphram\acc pump? and what about cleaning that orange stuff off (see pics) ive heard carb cleaner can ruin it. sorry for pic quality, phone was only thing handy.
next i pulled the carbs on the problem engine. there was plenty of trash in it, and orange 'gunk'. im not sure what this is, its almost a rust color. i noticed this on my sit-down seadoo as well when i cleaned its carb last year('90 587). so i start taking them apart and the front carb has a 142.5 main jet and 67 pilot. the back carb has a 145 main and 67 pilot. ??? also i notice that the adjusters are set differently between the two carbs but im unsure which is which. there is the small brass adjuster and the large black wing adjuster with bigger external looking spring. the thing is the boat fires right up and idles just fine. im hoping the dirty carb and rave valves are the problem but as long as i have it apart i want to check everything. is there a way to check the diaphram\acc pump? and what about cleaning that orange stuff off (see pics) ive heard carb cleaner can ruin it. sorry for pic quality, phone was only thing handy.
