Sucked up line...

[Backdoc68]

I have an 05 Challenger 180 SC and last weekend I had my daughters on the boat and while paying closer attention to the 2 year old I didnt notice my 4 year old throw my bow line over the side. I used that to tie up to the dock. Anyway, needless to say it was long enough to get sucked into the intake and wrapped around the shaft. It runs fine but will only travel about 4 mph and at about 4k rpm it vibrates the heck out of the boat. I got the boat home and cut what I thought was all of the rope off the shaft, I'm thinking something must be damaged or bent (?) to cause the vibration... Anyone had this happen? Am ready to take things apart to inspect but unless it is obvious I won't know what I am looking at. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Dr. Shane

 

[seadoosnipe]

....shaft problems...?

Shane, welcome to the forum. Are you mechanically inclined? Your going to need to be, just a bit anyway.

Depending on RPM and amount of rope sucked up, you may have bent your shaft. With the rope removed, have you run the boat since? If so, can I assume that the vibration is still there?

The boat is suppose to have a shaft guard designed to keep the rope from wrapping around the shaft and causing any damage.

With the boat on the trailer, remove all the spark plugs. If applicable, remove the shaft guard from the back of the PTO hub and have a friend turn your shaft by hand, counterclockwise while you watch. Look closely as it rotates to see if you can notice any warpage while it rotates.

These high performance engines don't need much in the way of being out warped just a bit to cause excessive vibration.

And at last resort, you may find your self removing the pump and replacing the shaft...........:cheers:

 

[ScottZ]

Man i also did this about a year ago....I didnt bend the shaft or anything but i did do it in the middle of the lake..lol So i had to take a swim for about a half hour tell i got it out it sucked....