Newbie 97 Challenger w/ Several Symptoms Fuel Related

[97ChallengerGuy]

1. The boat started pretty easily when I first put it in the water but after I've run it for a while it takes quite a bit of pumping and choking and not choking and pumping and throttling to get it going again.

2. Very poor idle, usually dies. I figure i just need to adjust the idle screw but wanted to list this symptom anyway in case it's all related.

3. While out on the water a couple times had it in full throttle and it stayed at medium rpm/speed then after I would release it and try again a couple times if worked again.

4. Last time after experiencing all of the above, the throttle handle became very stiff?

Any suggestions? I've heard the carburetor might need adjusted but that can't all right?

 

[kustomkarl]

Welcome to the seadoo forum. It sounds like you need to clean you carbs. If your careful, you won't have to replace the diaphragms. I would also check the linkage at the carbs to see if they "snap" back to idle position.

Karl

 

[97ChallengerGuy]

RE

Clean as in run SeaFoam and some Premium gas? If so I've already done the SeaFoam.

 

[kustomkarl]

Premium gas will do nothing and seafoam is a good stabilizer, but isn't going to clean the carbs. You need to take them apart and clean them ... all the passeges too.

Karl

 

[97ChallengerGuy]

did I mention it has a carb kit?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Premium gas will do nothing and seafoam is a good stabilizer, but isn't going to clean the carbs. You need to take them apart and clean them ... all the passeges too.

Karl

It's a 97 model. Like Karl said, you need to take them apart gently and clean them out. Hopefully, they do not have the grey fuel lines on them.

You also sound like you need to clean the RAVE valves. I have a thread in the boat section under discussion that shows the RAVE valves and what they look like with a carbon build up. When you say you pulled back the throttle and gave it to it again and it speed up, this sounds like the RAVE valves sticking.

So, the carbs and RAVE's sound like they need a good cleaning.......:cheers:

 

[97ChallengerGuy]

More and More

Okay, took it the dealer for maintenance and cleaned carbs and rave valves, adjusted idle. He claims they took it out on the water but I think he's BSing about that otherwise he would know it's still not topping off. The throttle can be punched and it still just cruises along at about 20 mph and never made any attempt to speed up. Then once i killed it, it absolutely would not start. Full choke, pumped throttle, even switched the gas to off in case it was flooded. Floated for about 10 minutes and still nothing. AND NOW FOR THE KICKER, the new problem after all this is now the boat is taking on water. YES THE PLUGS ARE IN so don't even ask me that. The bilge pump was on and was pushing out water but it was taking in more than it was pushing out and we almost sank! What is going on with this boat? Is it a lemon and should I make the dealer buy it back?

 

[Dr Honda]

edit........

 

[97ChallengerGuy]

"Well… there is a lot of venting going on… but not any real info, or questions other than “is it a lemon?”

Your name implies you own a 97 Challenger. If that’s the boat you are talking about… good luck getting them to take it back because unless you have something in writing… there is no warranty on it. So… if you told them to buy it back… I’m sure they would just laugh at you.

As far as we can see… you only had the dealer look at it once. What have you done to make it run? If it’s going 20 mph… why? Is the engine only turning 3000 rpm’s? is the pump cavitating??

If you want responses, you need to put info in your post, and not have 90% of it venting about your local dealer. Just to let you know… I started reading your post when it was new, and I gave up after the first 2 sentences because I don’t do the soap opera thing.

So, to recap… Don’t bitch about stuff… give us info on what was done, what the problem is (exactly) and what boat you have. (this isn’t a bash on you, it’s just info to get more responces)"

Actually Dr. Dumbshit, there's been lots of helpful info posted on the topic from kustomkarl and seadoosnipe. I hadn't heard anything new since the post, "more and more." Personally, I could care less what people like you think... as long as i get info from ppl like them i'll be happy. If you read the entire thread, you'd realize that I listed symptoms, got feedback, took to dealer, got the boat back, then took it back out again and hence forth the post "more and more". Obviously the dealer has it again to be fixed and if you'd been in my situation, you'd "bitch" too. I know nothing about engines and depend on forums like this to get info from. If you don't have relevant info to the topic then just don't post.
:rant:

 

[97ChallengerGuy]

Oh yeah, in regards to the dealer:

"So… if you told them to buy it back… I’m sure they would just laugh at you."

right up until i put my foot in his ass

 

[timmyboy76]

did I mention it has a carb kit?

Challenger, didv you rebuild them, or the guy you bought boat from. If seller did, SURE sounds like the "pop-off" isnt correct, either pop'n to early or not pop'n at all.

Ask the "dealer" if not to late, if/when they look into it again, to verify with you, the color spring thats in each carb, any color besides the "tall gold" oem one, then I say, thats ur prob.:cheers:

 

[Gunsrunner]

1) Put it in the water and find the leak! pump seals?
2) more info. what revs are you getting, explain better the way it drives
3) make the dealer take you for a test run , you paid for it.
4) don't use choke or pump throttle to start when hot, throttle at half to three quarters, turn over until start.
5) get a workshop manual!!!!
Don't have a go at the forum, even if they can't help you they have helped many others!!