Peace of mind major maintenance

[Rx4Speed]

I've been shopping for a speedster and have been obsessively reading the threads here to be well researched (thank you for the great forum everyone). I'd like a 150 with the 215sc engine which looks like it would do everything I'd want. I don't mind the supercharger maintenance schedule and like the reliability of the 4tec over the 2 stroke engines.
Upon reading, though, I begin to find things like exhaust valves stamped with "72" going bad, timing chain being a "time bomb", fly wheel bolts going bad, etc.
How many of you buy your new to you boats and immediately tear down the engine to ensure a problem isn't brewing? It'd be a tough pill to spend $12K on a boat only to drop a valve and toast an engine a few hours into ownership. If the 4-tec was a dime a dozen like the 717 or 787 engines it'd be less of a big deal but the replacement prices look a bit...yikes.

 

[Coastiejoe]

4-tecs are GREAT engines. I do love them. The exhaust vale issue "can" be a genuine concern. 2004 to mid 2006 the sodium valves were used. Some never change the valves and don't have an issue. Others buy a ski/boat and it fails the next week. And it is COSTLY. Can easily get to 3 grand in repairs.

In boats, the engines are almost always a year behind. So, if you buy a 2007, it will be a 2006 engine. If it were me, I'd but a 2008 or newer and just be happy to not have to worry about the valve issue.

Super Chargers (SC) are just a thing,,, Rebuild them every 2 years once you do it once with the update kit and they will last a lifetime in most cases.

I would not own a boat if it wasn't SC'd. I have a ski with one and LOVE LOVE LOVE it....

 

[Spimothy Leary]

You have to make the final call on the preventative maintenance, IMO its well worth it for piece of mind, if I bought a ski/boat with the same situation it would be the first thing I'd do.

 

[R1blade75]

I just brought a boat ('11 C180) with 44hrs. The boat had been sitting for a while and the first thing I did was to have an experienced Sea Doo mechanic perform the annual service, rebuild the supercharger and replace the wear ring and other little misc items. Total cost out of the door was over $2k which I look at it from the point of view that I have a boat now that is up to date on it's maintenance and more and I can focus on enjoying the boat without thinking about something going wrong. Now you may say just because I've had the boat serviced doesn't guarantee 100% reliability which is right, but I see it from the point that I've done what I can from a preventive maintenance standpoint to reduce the chances of something going bad.

 

[rcguy]

It is good that you had the preventive maintenance work done but I believe you paid about a $1000.00 too much. $500/600 for the turbocharger rebuild and maybe $150 labor to put in a $40.00 new wear ring.

 

[R1blade75]

It is good that you had the preventive maintenance work done but I believe you paid about a $1000.00 too much. $500/600 for the turbocharger rebuild and maybe $150 labor to put in a $40.00 new wear ring.

I figured I paid more than the going rate, but it's all taken care off now. I'm just looking forward to getting some seat time on the boat.

 

[rcguy]

Best of luck with your new Sea*Doo. I just don't like the extremely high cost these mechanics charge and take advantage of us boaters. I do all the maintenence I can too save money. I see you are in Florida and you like me have a year round season. Again have fun with your new boat.

 

[Premix]

I think you did the right thing, for the most part. I laugh when I see used superchargers for sale that say things like "only 25 hours on rebuild". How could you buy that SC and not rebuild it right away?