22 replies to this topic

[gotmdx]

I just spoke with a sales guy and was told that titanium or ss washers replaced the problematic ceramic washers on all 2008 180? Is this true? OR...just another sales pitch for me to buy an 08 instead of 07(this dealer no longer carry 07s).

My mechanic quoted me $65 for the washer replacement kit and 1.25hours of labor=$82. Will the job void the mfr warranty?

[vwDavid]

I just spoke with a sales guy and was told that titanium or ss washers replaced the problematic ceramic washers on all 2008 180? Is this true? OR...just another sales pitch for me to buy an 08 instead of 07(this dealer no longer carry 07s).

My mechanic quoted me $65 for the washer replacement kit and 1.25hours of labor=$82. Will the job void the mfr warranty?

thats what the word is on the street, Ti coated washers. Tooo bad seadoo is still behind as Riva stopped making Ti coated as they tend to slip more than straight SS. Seadoo still with their head stuck underground!

[gotmdx]

thats what the word is on the street, Ti coated washers. Tooo bad seadoo is still behind as Riva stopped making Ti coated as they tend to slip more than straight SS. Seadoo still with their head stuck underground!

vwDavid
Thanks for the response! I'd settle for the Ti washers compared to ceramic. Hey, is "slip" same as breaking? The 2008 model costs almost $2000 more otd vs 2007 model.

Got another call. This sales guy, according to his manager, said that some 2007 are also upgraded w/ the Ti washers from the factory.....hmmmm..... maybe he just wants me to buy his remaining 2007? If it's true, what indication that will prove it. For example, date of mfg?, owners manual specs? Can you physically see this washer?

C'mon 2007 and 2008 owners- please respond to this inquiry....

[Kevin Leclair]

I have also heard this too. Our dealer didn't have any 07's but this is one of the reasons we went with the 08 because I heard about the problem with the washers. I am not sure if they are visible, I will take a look at our engine and snap some pictures when I get a chance to see if you can spot any differences from the 07 engine you saw.

Another thing I heard they did in the 08's was put a big K&N air filter on the intake, I haven't seen the engine in previous models so I am not sure if they have the same K&N air filter.

[gotmdx]

I have also heard this too. Our dealer didn't have any 07's but this is one of the reasons we went with the 08 because I heard about the problem with the washers. I am not sure if they are visible, I will take a look at our engine and snap some pictures when I get a chance to see if you can spot any differences from the 07 engine you saw.

Another thing I heard they did in the 08's was put a big K&N air filter on the intake, I haven't seen the engine in previous models so I am not sure if they have the same K&N air filter.

Cool! I saw some pics of your boat...I like it. Wifey likes it, too!
Upgraded K&N filter is nice. I just wish a stereo remote is available , and located next to deck area.

Nope, I have not seen any 07 or 08 engine yet. I have been getting quotes over the phone because dealers are about 100-140 miles from where I live.

[Kevin Leclair]

Cool! I saw some pics of your boat...I like it. Wifey likes it, too!
Upgraded K&N filter is nice. I just wish a stereo remote is available , and located next to deck area.

Nope, I have not seen any 07 or 08 engine yet. I have been getting quotes over the phone because dealers are about 100-140 miles from where I live.

Thanks. Yeah my wife likes it a lot too!

We have a stereo remote but ours is mounted on the driver's helm. This is part of the SE package.

[Kevin Leclair]

I snapped a couple pictures of the engine and posted them up in the Gallery so you can see what the 08 engine looks like, maybe someone will be able to spot some differences from the previous models.

[keviseeb]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but ALL 2008 sport boats have ceramic washers in the superchargers. The ONLY engine with the titanium washers is the 255 HP found only in the "X" model personal watercraft. Sorry about that.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[Kevin Leclair]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but ALL 2008 sport boats have ceramic washers in the superchargers. The ONLY engine with the titanium washers is the 255 HP found only in the "X" model personal watercraft. Sorry about that.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

Well thanks for clearing this up Kevin, how would someone go about getting the washers replaced by their dealer if they needed/wanted too?

[gotmdx]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but ALL 2008 sport boats have ceramic washers in the superchargers. The ONLY engine with the titanium washers is the 255 HP found only in the "X" model personal watercraft. Sorry about that.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

Damn! The tech service guy made some phone calls and told me that Ti washers are installed on 08 180 Challengers. Well, I guess I'm better off buying an 07 at discount pricing

[gotmdx]

I snapped a couple pictures of the engine and posted them up in the Gallery so you can see what the 08 engine looks like, maybe someone will be able to spot some differences from the previous models.

Lots of thnx for the pics KEVIN!

[Kevin Leclair]

I was told the same thing about the washers on our 08 model.

You're welcome, let me know if there is any other pictures you want me to snap.

[keviseeb]

Let me clarify exactly the useage for the titanium coated steel washers. ALL supercharged engines now have titanium coated steel washers EXCEPT sport boats. ALL 180 Challenger, 215 HP equipped 150 and 200 Speedsters, Utopia, Islandia, and 230 Challenger models HAVE CERAMIC WASHERS. None of the supercharger clutch parts are available separately, ONLY complete kits are available. The current retail price of a ceramic washer supercharger assembly for a 215 HP 180 Challenger or the titanium covered washer supercharger assembly for an RXT personal watercraft is about $730.00. There are major differences such as the titanium washers are 1.5 mm thick compared to 1.25 mm for the ceramic washers. The new superchargers can be installed in 2007 and prior engines, older assemblies cannot be installed in the 2008 models. Other sport boat changes include the bilge pump except the 180, Jensen radio, rocker type start-stop switche(s), stronger ski locker, new air intake, new regulator/rectifier, better neutral shifter detent in both the 150 and 180, stronger return spring from reverse to neutral in the Utopia, and a new bilge pump switch with redesigned drainage in the 180. There are other changes to all models however they can be seen in the pictures in the brochure. The "radio on" button found on all 2007 sport boats was removed however we have noticed that the new Jensen radio will kill the battery in about 5 days just as the Clarion radio did in the 05 to 07 models! It is important to turn the battery switch off in ALL 2008 models when the boat will not be used for more than a day or two.

Kevin N. Seeber
Kingsland Marine

PS NO 2007 model sport boats have titanium coated steel washers.

[Kevin Leclair]

Thanks for all the helpful information Kevin.

As soon I get home I will be turning the battery switch off, I had no idea the radio would drain so much of the battery in that state.

[ZZSDMSMY]

SO,
DO DO I NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH THE CERAMIC WASHERS IN MY 07 CHALLNEGER 180 SE? OR SHOULD I JUST ENJOY THE BOAT AND NOT WORRY ABOUT IT?

[Kevin Leclair]

SO,
DO DO I NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH THE CERAMIC WASHERS IN MY 07 CHALLNEGER 180 SE? OR SHOULD I JUST ENJOY THE BOAT AND NOT WORRY ABOUT IT?

For now I would say just enjoy the boat, have the dealer keep up with the maintenance and have them keep an eye on the washers. If you do this I believe you should be good to go.

[gotmdx]

For now I would say just enjoy the boat, have the dealer keep up with the maintenance and have them keep an eye on the washers. If you do this I believe you should be good to go.

YEP- just enjoy it! I'm planning to finish off with the break-in period ASAP! Consider the ceramic washers as human appendix...it's there...it can burst anytime.....when?....there's no telling! Besides, I have not really heard of a seadoosportboat member that had experienced this problem. Am I right? I have read the problem from another forum though. Okay, to find out I'll post a poll as soon as I get a chance.....I hope our member will participate....

.....Just add water and do the DOO!
Happy boating everyone!

[FJtoy4me]

Just a follow up on this thread. Since some time has gone by, I'd like to get some feedback on people's experience with the washers. Anybody have issues? or has your boat been kind to you? from what I'm reading so far, it looks like a problem more associated with the PWC's due to them getting airborn and riders staying on the gas. anybody bust their washers yet? just thought i'd bring this to the forefront.

[JeffNJ]

Just a follow up on this thread. Since some time has gone by, I'd like to get some feedback on people's experience with the washers. Anybody have issues? or has your boat been kind to you? from what I'm reading so far, it looks like a problem more associated with the PWC's due to them getting airborn and riders staying on the gas. anybody bust their washers yet? just thought i'd bring this to the forefront.

Bought my 08 speedsterSCIC end of may 08, broke my ceramic washers at about 40 hours, had the titanium put in under waranty and I put another 15 hours on the boat... no problems so far but then again it's been a long winter.
Jeff

[carboncow]

Very old post but it may be helpful to someone trying to buy a used boat. Little know fact that 2008 boats came both ways. Version 1 and Version 2. HIN 13002 and up is version two with newer style exhaust, air intake and electrical system and metal washers. If you HIN is lower...you have basically a 2007.