2004 SEA DOO GTX 4TEC SUPERCHARGED questions

[newbseadoo]

Im looking into buying a used 2004 SEA DOO GTX 4TEC SUPERCHARGED
with 71 hours on it. I am new to jet skiing, was wondering if anyone had any info reguarding this model. Any recalls or general problems. Any help is greatly appricated.

 

[seadoosnipe]

4-tec...

Not sure but I think this model engine had the sodium filled exhaust valve stems. I'd check into this more. I believe Chester or bills86e can give you more info on it than me.

I'd def ask about this before buying. I know they had this problem with the 2005 models. We've had several members with this problem. Breaking and dropping cylinders and ending up with an engine rebuild.

Here's a link to one of the threads I found.... http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=11839&highlight=sodium+valves

 

[dlowings]

I think that your RIGHT around the hour mark of having the Supercharger rebuild, you might want to take a CLOSE look at that. This year had the ceramic washer and it is going to need the new upgraded washer.

 

[Rrm1387]

I have a 03 4tec supercharged was the ceramic washer used in 03?

 

[dlowings]

I have a 03 4tec supercharged was the ceramic washer used in 03?

I'm thinking they were used right up until around 2007..

 

[seadoosnipe]

2008....

I'm thinking they were used right up until around 2007..

Your right.....The ceramic washers were used up to 07 in skis and I think they went into 09 in the boats. I was told that the boats weren't as bad on the washers as the skis because they broke lose from the water a lot less often than the skis.

If you have the ceramic washers, remember to let off the throttle when you break lose getting air and never use synthetic oils in your motor.........:cheers:

 

[Jean-Paul]

I am also looking for a used 03 GTX sc . can you please tell me what exactly i need to check and were this ring is exactly ? also what do you mean when braking lettin air come in? when i let off hte throttle? please explain. totally new guy here...

here is my thread

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=25007

 

[aklim]

I am also looking for a used 03 GTX sc . can you please tell me what exactly i need to check and were this ring is exactly ? also what do you mean when braking lettin air come in? when i let off hte throttle? please explain. totally new guy here...

here is my thread

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=25007

For sure I would check when the last service was done on the SC. If it was rebuilt BEFORE 09, I consider it suspect since I would probably go in and get it redone. IIRC, they used the ceramic washers before late 08.

 

[Jean-Paul]

it is rebuild before 09. what should i do ? i have purchased the jet today

 

[aklim]

it is rebuild before 09. what should i do ? i have purchased the jet today

Dunno about Greece but it is too cold to ride now so, I would take the charger out and have it rebuilt with the steel washers to minimize problems. Check it every year. There is an inch pound slip number that will tell you when it needs a rebuild. I can't remember what it is now but someone will chime in. Not too difficult to take off the hoses and get a in-lbs torque wrench on it.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Agreed but....

Dunno about Greece but it is too cold to ride now so, I would take the charger out and have it rebuilt with the steel washers to minimize problems. Check it every year. There is an inch pound slip number that will tell you when it needs a rebuild. I can't remember what it is now but someone will chime in. Not too difficult to take off the hoses and get a in-lbs torque wrench on it.

:agree: with aklim but,.... If for some reason you can't do the rebuild right now, make sure you use only mineral oil. Also, when your riding, if you hit a nice wave and go airborne, let off the throttle until the hull sits back down into the water.

This will extend the life of your washers. But, I'd def get them replaced as soon as you can to protect your investment.:cheers:

 

[Jean-Paul]

now you have made me worrrying... so if I actuall don't do any jumps, I won't be having any problems with this issue ?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Catching air!....

No,..... your fine to jump. The biggest problem with the superchargers is when you take a wave and not let off when you break loose. If I remember right, the rpm on these things is upwards of 45,000 rpm. When you take a wave and the engine speeds up, so does the charger. When you land back down on the water, it's like it drops 10k as soon as it hits. This is hard on the clutch washers. So, keep that in mind when you take a jump.

Just being mindful to let off the gas when airborne, will make a huge difference on the impact of wear and tear on your clutch washers. I think I'd do that even with the stainless.

Kinda like making a jump on a motorcycle. They don't keep their engines reved wide open when they land, they back off the throttle. Well, apply that logic and you'll be fine till you get the supercharger rebuilt......:cheers:

 

[dlowings]

:agree:

I try to keep it in the water most of the time, if you hit the right wave you can crack the hull and almost break your nose at the same time... trust me no fun....

 

[Jean-Paul]

I see. IS there aything else I need to be carefull when using my jet in general as far as damages is concerned besides the abovementioned ?

p.s. also what do I have to ask when having my supercharger rebuild exactly to my mechanic? or do I have to buy it my self and just tell him to install it while rebuilding it, cause he might not know it?

 

[greyrider]

One other daily check that Snipe (i think) has mentioned in other 'maintenance' posts is to reach in and give the engine a yank to make sure no engine mounts have gotten loose, especially if doing alot of jumping. catching a loose mount when it happens can save a TON of headaches.

ps - enjoy your ride

 

[seadoosnipe]

Slip washers...

I see. IS there aything else I need to be carefull when using my jet in general as far as damages is concerned besides the abovementioned ?

p.s. also what do I have to ask when having my supercharger rebuild exactly to my mechanic? or do I have to buy it my self and just tell him to install it while rebuilding it, cause he might not know it?

If you want to have this procedure done, tell the shop you are taking it to, that you want them to check and see if you have the ceramic or ceramic coated slip washers. Tell him they are part #8 of the HSML's index. I'd also print that parts page to take with you and show him. It also shows that part #8 are ceramic slip washers.

But, what if the previous owner had them changed? This you'll have to be able to trust the mechanic for (that's where my problem lies). If he opens it up to find that the washers have already been changed, he can put it back together. Don't pay for something you don't need.

On the other hand, you need to rebuild the supercharger every 100 hours, so you might go ahead and do it. I'd say, tell the mechanic you wanted the old ones to see what kind of wear you had but he's likely to just grab an old pair laying around and hand them to you. How would you know that they were not on your ski? You wouldn't.

Good luck..... If you get this done, tell us how much you had to pay for the service..........:cheers:

 

[Jean-Paul]

such a small washer and such a big role !!!!

the compressor is it sure that it needs every 100 hours rebuild ?mine has exactly 160 hours. after this summer I will definetely need rebuild ?


Also, Can someone tell me the entire procedure in order to switch on the engine and start jetting.( do i have to have neutral before starting and shutting down the engine? how much time should i wait for the engine to warm up?<--how i do that ? in neutral or in gear? do I have to wait after games for the engine and compressor oils to settle down before shutting down? is it better to wait while someone prepares to wear his/her skis/wakeboard with the engine on or off ? so many questions.... sorry. if all of them can be answered you would greatly help me..)

 

[seadoosnipe]

Procedures...?

such a small washer and such a big role !!!!

the compressor is it sure that it needs every 100 hours rebuild ?mine has exactly 160 hours. after this summer I will definetely need rebuild ?


Also, Can someone tell me the entire procedure in order to switch on the engine and start jetting.( do i have to have neutral before starting and shutting down the engine? how much time should i wait for the engine to warm up?<--how i do that ? in neutral or in gear? do I have to wait after games for the engine and compressor oils to settle down before shutting down? is it better to wait while someone prepares to wear his/her skis/wakeboard with the engine on or off ? so many questions.... sorry. if all of them can be answered you would greatly help me..)

Under normal conditions, start the motor in neutral. You should let it idle and warm up for a few minutes before going to wide open throttle. The 4 strokes have a thermostat and it's best for engine efficiency if it's up to temperature. You should not start the motor and leave the ski un-attemded, since they do not have a true neutral. You should also leave the motor turned off while your waiting for a skier. This will keep you from sucking up your ski rope by accident.

After a hard ride, it would do the engine good to slow down to idle and cool it off before shutting it down. When running wide open, your generating much more heat that could be dissapated before shutdown.......:cheers:

 

[Jean-Paul]

in terms of cooling in between games, ( I am very caefull with the rope) is it better to leave the engine running in neutral or shutting it down. again I am talking about the effect of temperature of the engine. Also is it good to use the neutral often or not ?

 

[Jean-Paul]

also where is the exhaust placed ?

 

[Jean-Paul]

ok. i found hte exhaust . can anyone answer me the other question ? also ..do I have somewhere a bilge pump ?

finally, is it a good idea installing riva's air filter kit ? or is it dangerous a far as water intrusion is concerned ?