Inspecting valve style

[MotoBoat223]

Today I read about the older style 4Tec exhaust valves and how Sea Doo changed the design in 07. Looks like 2006 was around the time of the change, and my boat is a 2006. I am familiar with 2 stroke engines but 4 strokes are kind of new to me. To check the numbers engraved on the valves it seems like I just need to remove the valve cover and try to get a flashlight and look or take some pictures?

Has anyone done this to check that could give me some pointers?

Thanks!

 

[JPass]

From another thread:

"There is a part number stamped into the valve just above where the keepers go on the stem. If the number starts with a 72 it is a old style valve. If it starts with a 75 it is a new style valve."

We have a 2012, so no need to check for this, but I would think just remove the valve cover and have a look for the numbers mentioned above.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Boat engines are a year behind. So if you have a 2006 boat, you have a 2005 engine. You will have the Sodium filled vales... Unless someone changed them already.

 

[MotoBoat223]

Thanks for the replies gents!

I haven't taken off the valve cover yet, and won't be able to check out the engine for a few days, I need to see if there are any parts I should buy first for the inspection, like a valve cover gasket, etc.

That's not the news I was hoping to hear Joe haha! I know they weren't replaced, ugh, I did the SC last year, thought I was in the clear. I like doing things myself but I've never done valves, I'm afraid to mess something up. I really don't trust the dealers around here either, I have heard some horror stories regarding bad work.

Bummer...

 

[Coastiejoe]

In order of odds of failure.
1). Ski's with SC in salt water.
2). Ski's in Saltwater
3). Ski's with SC in fresh water.
4). Boats with SC in salt water
5). Boats without SC in salt water.

Generally speaking, boats fail considerably less often as they are not maxed out RPMs on end and wave jumping.

Can they fail? Yes. But much less. If it was mine and I was in fresh water, I would likely not even care.

 

[MotoBoat223]

Well that makes me feel a bit better Joe. My boat hasn't been ran hard and has only been in fresh water. PWCmuscle rebuilt my SC last year. I just hate thinking something (those darn hollow exhaust valves) could be a ticking time bomb.

 

[CSager]

Hey Motoboat223 I have a 2006 boat and have been thinking of having a look too. Let us know how it goes and thanks coastiejoe for me not loosing sleep at night!

 

[Coastiejoe]

Well that makes me feel a bit better Joe. My boat hasn't been ran hard and has only been in fresh water. PWCmuscle rebuilt my SC last year. I just hate thinking something (those darn hollow exhaust valves) could be a ticking time bomb.

Officially they are. Statistically, boats and fresh water have the lowest failure rate IMO. When we hear of a failure, it is like 95% of the time a Ski's with SC in salt water followed immediately by Ski's with SC in fresh water. Has to do with the continuous high RPMs and getting hot. They fail at the welded seam.

 

[MotoBoat223]

Hey Motoboat223 I have a 2006 boat and have been thinking of having a look too. Let us know how it goes and thanks coastiejoe for me not loosing sleep at night!

Will do. Unfortunately I will be busy the next week or so. I will get to them and post up pics if I can get some good shots.