26 replies to this topic

[keviseeb]

There seems to be three threads going on here, one dealing with fuel octane, another with break-in, and the third with the learning key.

1) Fuel octane - For the 155 HP use 87 octane in North America, 91 RON outside North America. For the 185 and 215 HP models the RECOMMENDED fuel grade to use is 91 octane in North America, 95 RON outside North America. You can use the lower octane/RON fuel in the supercharged engines HOWEVER the timing may be retarded if the spark knock sensor determines lower octane.

2) Learning Key - The electronics of a sport boat do allow a learning key to be programmed however the learning key is set to limit RPM to 5,400 and is not adjustable. The same limits are applicable to personal watercraft. It is not a good idea to break in a boat or PWC on the learning key. Even the operators manual recommends "brief acceleration and speed variations" over 3/4 throttle and that it will "contribute to a good break-in".

3) Break In - We recommend using the entire RPM range however don't stay at any given RPM for more that 20 to 30 seconds at a time. Try not to cruise at a fixed speed. Do this for the first 2 tanks of fuel and you will find that the engine has better compression later on in it's life. We have tested the compression on boats that were broken in by using the learning key or some other non recommended procedure and found that the engine compression is lower than a boat properly done. This applies to 2 and 4 stroke engines, Mercury and Rotax.

[Yuji]

Great info Keviseeb Now, what do you consider a good compression # for my boat. 215 SCIC? Just curious, I will do a compression test to see as well, of course I'm hoping it's high

[thumper]

have spoken to my dealer who still recommends the 10 hour service - just incase anything has worked loose which i can understand - at least if anything happens afterwards he cant say i havent had it done - also i want a spare dess so i have to take the baot to him anyways -

[Pyrock]

I just maidened my Challenger 180 SCIC today at Donner Lake. It was TOUGH to keep the rpm's below 5-6K. I DID, however, make every effort to vary the RPM's as much as possible and tried not to stay at any specific RPM for more than 30 or so seconds. I used approximately half tank of 91 octane. Next weekend I'll probably try Lake Tahoe so I can complete the break-in by the 4th of July weekend.

This forum is GREAT....thanks to all for the great info.

Oh, as for the performance, it met all my expectations...at least for the break in period. The sucker tracks like nothing else I've driven or ridden in. I call it my floating hot tub. For the winter, I think I'll fill it with hot water and sit in it after snowboarding!!

[thumper]

wow - there are so many things that can affect the performance of these baots - i guess evrybody will drive them and use them differently -

breaking them in gently regardless of what anybody else says is surely the best thing to do -

[Pyrock]

Thumper,
By my description, do you think I was too hard on it? I'm new to this boat but I think I was pretty easy on it. I always eased into the rpms and never "gunned" it in order to get to speed. I tapped 6K a few times but never really stayed on it. I'd say that for most of the day, I stayed between 4K and 5K rpm's or lower. Any advice would be helpful.

[thumper]

that sounds ideal - i nailed mine a few times under 5 hours but not more than 20 secs at a time - basically as long as you dont nail it continuously at 8000rpm for say an hour it will be ok - and lets face it you wouldnt want to.

doo check the oil though - see checking oil thread abhout when to doo it the amnual isnt that clear