5 replies to this topic

[pakalot]

My 2007 Challenger 180 idles between 1800 and 2100 RPM. It makes shifting in and out of reverse very difficult. It also makes picking up skiers and starting them very difficult. My local dealer is at a loss, he's kept the boat for 5 weeks, no success. Help, please.

[Kevin Leclair]

I will have to check what our 180 Challenger idles at the next time we go out, it is currently at the dealer for the 10 hr service. If I remember correctly though it seems ours idled somewhere around 1800 too.

[rx1guy]

My dealer told me they idle around 1800 rpm when he went over the boat at delivery. Mine idles at about 1800 rpm as well.

[keviseeb]

My dealer told me they idle around 1800 rpm when he went over the boat at delivery. Mine idles at about 1800 rpm as well.

The idle speed of 1800 RPM is correct. When in neutral what exactly happens to the boat? Does it sit still? With the steering wheel straight ahead does the boat stay put or turn to one side or the other? Let me know that first...thanks!

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[rx1guy]

When in neutral with the steering straight ahead the boat creeps ahead slightly but much less than in forward.

[keviseeb]

When in neutral with the steering straight ahead the boat creeps ahead slightly but much less than in forward.

The boat is set up correctly and there is no way to reduce the RPM. This engine does use a stop screw, the idle speed is controlled by many sensors one of them being the throttle body. It may look tempting to try to adjust it, don't! Its not worth several hundred dollars to make that mistake, is it? One tip on the "shifter". Don't think of it as a shifter but a slow speed controller. The handle will work in any position forward or reverse so you should be able to set your speed on your 180 Challenger from about 5 MPH forward to about 3 MPH in reverse without ever touching the throttle. Also, I guess you noticed the steering is reversed while the boat is in reverse. A good tip to remember is "As goes the top of the steering wheel, so goes the bow whether in forward or reverse".

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine