dyn4100
Active Member
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 7
- Points
- 42
- Boat Make
- Chaparral
- Year
- 2018
- Boat Model
- VRX
- Boat Length
- 24
Purchased a 2018 Chaparral Vortex 2430 VRX and it has issues with both BRP Rotax 1503 4-TEC (250HP) engines within 2.2 (port) to 3.3 (starboard) operating hours the first day on the water after taking possession. The port engine actually had issues on the familiarization ride on the lake prior to signing. It ran rough and repeatedly stalled and reflected a Medallion display RPM reading lower than the starboard motor that progressively got worst as speed increased (reading was the same at idle). At ~30 mph, the port engine was about 1000 rpm lower than the starboard. Cut the familiarization short. The afternoon of the same day, the dealership duplicated the problem in their test tank and found a pushed in pin in a cable assembly going to the MCU causing intermittent contact essentially turning the motor on/off. A repair was made and a replacement cable was going to be ordered (last communication from the dealership was there was a responsibility replacement claim with Chaparral about whether BRP should be replacing). We accepted the unit the same day (Friday), prepped on Saturday and headed to the lake on Sunday to put some break-in hours on the engines.
Right out of the no-wake zone, the difference in rpm's between the port and starboard was still an issue at speeds above idle. However the motors sounded to be sync'd up. Periodically the Medallion rpm displays would read the same (instantaneous, not a gradual change) with no audible change in rpm. At one point, for diagnostic purposes, I noted a change in 200 rpm on the port reflected a 900 rpm change in the starboard...that difference in rpm between the two should be audible.
After putting about 1.5 hours on the break-in, the engine icon on the display illuminated. Shut both down and started the starboard thinking this would be the offending unit given the rpm issue. Starts up, idles fine and no engine light. Shut it down and started the port...starts up, idles fine but the engine light comes on. Worked my way through the various displays and found the port engine was showing a P0420 code (catalyst conversion insufficient). We were close to the ramp so I decided to limp back on the starboard motor. On its own, out of idle, it ran rough (started it twice). This wasn't apparent with both engines operating.
Dropped it off at the dealership shortly after opening after their weekend. Later this week, they reported the O2 sensor (not sure which one, there's two according to the Rotax service manual I obtained) was the port engine issue, however they had stuck a bore scope into the mounting hole and the port side appears to have nothing in it. The starboard side has some honeycomb material in it. They're going to disassemble the port exhaust to see if there might be some residual material or if it just wasn't installed.
A few hours on the water on the first day is extremely disappointing especially considering the cost. Regardless, there's some quality control issues that need to be addressed. Other than the engine issues and a few minor issues, the boat itself appears to be well built although we haven't had the time to thoroughly check everything out...as of now it's been in the shop twice as long as we've had it.
Right out of the no-wake zone, the difference in rpm's between the port and starboard was still an issue at speeds above idle. However the motors sounded to be sync'd up. Periodically the Medallion rpm displays would read the same (instantaneous, not a gradual change) with no audible change in rpm. At one point, for diagnostic purposes, I noted a change in 200 rpm on the port reflected a 900 rpm change in the starboard...that difference in rpm between the two should be audible.
After putting about 1.5 hours on the break-in, the engine icon on the display illuminated. Shut both down and started the starboard thinking this would be the offending unit given the rpm issue. Starts up, idles fine and no engine light. Shut it down and started the port...starts up, idles fine but the engine light comes on. Worked my way through the various displays and found the port engine was showing a P0420 code (catalyst conversion insufficient). We were close to the ramp so I decided to limp back on the starboard motor. On its own, out of idle, it ran rough (started it twice). This wasn't apparent with both engines operating.
Dropped it off at the dealership shortly after opening after their weekend. Later this week, they reported the O2 sensor (not sure which one, there's two according to the Rotax service manual I obtained) was the port engine issue, however they had stuck a bore scope into the mounting hole and the port side appears to have nothing in it. The starboard side has some honeycomb material in it. They're going to disassemble the port exhaust to see if there might be some residual material or if it just wasn't installed.
A few hours on the water on the first day is extremely disappointing especially considering the cost. Regardless, there's some quality control issues that need to be addressed. Other than the engine issues and a few minor issues, the boat itself appears to be well built although we haven't had the time to thoroughly check everything out...as of now it's been in the shop twice as long as we've had it.
