SES Engines - My Experience

[SabrToothSqrl]

After 3 engines in my ski (rebuilds) with no warranty (my friend and I working on it)... I was tired. I was tired of the money, tired of the hassle, tired of everything.

I looked and looked for a reputable rebuild shop that would provide me with a no fault warranty. On this forum I found SES engines. Their price and location was right (2 hour drive from me). I had a 2002 XP 951 engine rebuilt w/a 2 year warranty.

I spoke with Tom from the shop, who I then dropped my engine off to in person (to save on shipping costs). (From the time, gas, and turn pike tolls, next time I will just ship it).

He said 2 weeks. By Wednesday before the Friday it was due we spoke on the phone, he said that someone, at some point before I owned it, used a DI counter balancer in the engine... that was news to me, but he said he would be able to correct the issue.

Thursday, the day he would have to ship it to make Friday to me, for the rare 80 degree October weekend, that he knew I really hoped to have the engine by.

Call from Tom that the engine was done, but he just clear coated it. If he shipped it to make the deadline, it would ruin the look of the engine... I said I'd come pick it up Friday. I'm glad he did not just ship it Friday, since I'd have received it Monday.

I picked it up, and got it home, but after working a 65 hr work week was not going to start till Saturday AM. The engine looked MINT. looked damn near brand new. Tom even took the time to drill and helicoil one of the holes for the engine mount bracket for me.

I posted photos to facebook, but will post them here. I had painted my entire engine black, so that's why some of it is black and some is grey. All engine surfaces looked brand new / shiney metal or nice sea-doo grey.

I'd like to give a report of the performance, but as I was finishing the install the oil pump cable stripped threads where the nuts hold it to the mount. The cable was already frayed and looked damaged, but usable. So, I have ordered a new one, a new choke cable, and new steering assembly as it's free play was driving me nuts...

The engine, pipe, RAVEs, etc are all in. I cranked the oil pump pre assembly with a cordless drill to test and fill the brand new oil lines. starter works, guages appear to work.

I will report more when I can.

As for SES engines; they were professional, met the deadline, and the engine looks great.

Tom and I spent a good 1/2 hr on the phone discussing my issues and even the PWC industry as a whole.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

photos

 

[ocod]

Looks great Sabr.
Get it fired up and go a run

 

[harryb]

Sabr, Recieved my engine yesterday, looks great. Called Tom to let him know that I had recieved it and spent about a half an hour discussing the installation. Professional service to say the least. Hopefully the weather will hold long enough to try it on the water.

 

[RFoster130]

Sounds like a good deal so far. You can't beat their prices.

 

[Masterferret]

...Said the Ferret to the Sqrl. I need a rebuild too. Would I be correct to assume SES is the way to go?

 

[harryb]

I'm not the Squirrel, but give Tom a call. He will spend the time to answer all your questions and steer you in the right direction. I'd have my engine in by now, but my d@#% furnace took an attitude and had to work on it.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I don't have mine running yet to know how / if it works, but the rebuild, time frame, paint job, and customer service were all excellent.

I'm hoping to get on the water this weekend if I have the other parts I need...

 

[96spxpos]

sabr,any word on the engine? does it run/run like dookie/run at all? and what did they charge u ALL TOGETHER?

 

[harryb]

Completed my engine installation today, rebuilt 717 from Tom at SES. This engine looks great, sounds great, and starts immediately. I rebuilt the carbs and replaced all fuel lines while waiting along with a complete cleaning of both oil and fuel tanks. I wish it were just a little warmer here in Central New York so I could give it a test run, but that will have to wait until next year. At Tom's suggestion I'm going to pre-mix and will probably do the same with the '96 XP after rebuild. I am totally satisfied with my deal and will use SES again for my 787. I have two buddies coming over tomorrow to check the 717 out, then it is going up for the winter.

 

[96spxpos]

harry, what was the total price?

 

[harryb]

I paid Tom $645.00 plus $40.00 shipping, went through EBAY. His website explains all, SES.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

While putting my engine back in, my carbs fell off the trailer box where they were laying, snapping the "T" plastic piece... so $90 'fuel body' later... i will hopefully get to fire mine up this weekend if it all falls into place. I did get the new steering in, and it's SO smooth!

 

[harryb]

@Sabr; That usually the way things go, I have to dig one bolt and a wrench from under the engine cradle before I put mine up for the winter. It's just not warm enough here for a test ride so I'll do some more cleaning and detailing and wait for next year. Good luck with yours!

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Thanks, I might brave the river with a wet suit for one last crazy ass run... but we shall see. When I was doing my steering I also noticed a missing washer, and clip, so those are ordered... the guy before me did such 1/2 ass work. I won't even use most parts from hardware stores. I'm a OEM kinda guy! I like opening those OEM sea-doo bags...I'm even considering a new steering pad + cover... $60+ each but ohh so nice! But how about I make sure the stupid thing works... then I'll make it pretty...

USPS says my final washer comes tonight, and the carbs should be done by Saturday I hope... at $100 for the part, and new carbs for only $400... I wonder if I just shouldn't have bought brand new carbs... then I'd have a 'new' engine and brand new carbs! and a new clip, speedo pickup, bildge pump, steering cover, steering assembly, bumper plugs, handle bargrips, thottle cable, choke, let's see... ohh I did gelcote repair and buffing to this ski... ohh and it's got a new impeller,wear ring AND jet pump, and bearings. and a new trim connector. ohh and new start, and trim buttons....

for the love of boating that's a lot of parts...!

 

[harryb]

Wow! You don't mess around when it comes to that machine. I have been considering the handle bar cover too, where are you getting yours? My machines are a little older but have always had pretty good care, the '95 engine lasted for 16 years and the '96 still goes like hell! I consider them "sport bikes" on water. You have to realize that I'm 63 years old and can't go like you younger guys, but still enjoy going like a wild man from time to time. Let me know how how things go.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I use BRP parts web site, throw the # into a few web sites, and google, whoever has it the cheapest, I buy.

I'm 28. been riding since '93 when I was 10 we got a GTX. so I have 18 years of riding so far

And yes, I'm OCD about my toys...

I just found a XP for sale 4 hrs from me, but it's a DI. and mine now has a 2 year warranty... so choices... choices...

My handlebar cover is a faded black. I'm considering replacing it. a not cheap part, that's 100% cosmetic.

On the Jeep Wrangler, the similar type plastic of the fenders likes to fade as well. A Jeep trick is to use a heat gun, and gently heat them up. it makes them Jet black and look brand new.

Has anyone yet tried this to our seadoo covers? If it's an old cover, you plan to toss or replace, might be worth a shot... $10 gets you a heat gun from harbor freight!

 

[96spxpos]

yo squizzerel, you said the new steering is "oh so smooth"...........so, what does that, just a new cable?

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

This has gotten way off topic; I'll post in another post what I did, how, and how we can all learn from my 2 mistakes.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

It's Alive! It's Alive! I finally got the carbs on, steering back on, oil tank in, lines primed and good to go! battery was flat. good times. (not to mention new throttle cable and choke)

So, I disconnected the ground, charged the battery, then reconnected to ski (can't be too careful).

AND... after quite a bit of cranking / choking, because the carbs and fuel lines were 100% empty. (And I added oil to the tank so break-in was gentle)

I also added a squirt of oil into the plug holes before putting in the spark plugs, so the engine would have lube right away. I may run premix (in addition to my fully functional sea-doo oil pump) for first 2 tanks just to make sure this engine lasts. Warranty or not, it's no fun doing all that work...

So, anyway, the engine started up! i ran it for a bit, then let it cool an hour, then again, then let it cool 2 hrs, then ran, then over night cool, then ran it just a bit this AM till the engine was warm. lots of smoke from the extra oil, but it sounds great!

The air here is now 55 and the water is 55... so I'm not sure I'm crazy enough to put this in the river this season. I will most likely run it tonight on the hose for a bit, then runs some antifreeze through it and fog out the engine....

This spring we shall see how it performs! after a gentle break in of course!

 

[harryb]

That's great!! I can appreciate the feeling when the engine started and ran so well, makes all that work worth it. The older XPs are tough to work on, not a lot of room to maneuver. I'm going to wait until next year for my first ride, only ran it for a very short time then drained the gas tank and fogged the engine.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Sabr - remember that you can only run it a short time while on the hose. WAIT DON'T DO THIS...SEE BELOW
Although one time a few months ago while testing for new fuel lines leaks, I took an additional hose from another faucet and sprayed the water in the impeller area but only for a minute or two to be safe.

I'm sure you might have seen this already but here are tips to break in an engine. From Seadoo forum
NOTE - NEVER ON A HOSE.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?18-Proper-Engine-Break-in-Procedures-for-Jet-Skis

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Thank you for the feedback, yes, off water it's never run more than 30-60 seconds, I keep my hand on the block the whole time. soon as it gets warm, it's off. Normally, yes, I would run it in the river, but it's too late in the season. I don't intend to run it long, just want to make sure I have no leaks / issues. I will then let it cool, maybe over night, then perform the winterization on this ski. I'm not breaking the ski in 'on the trailer' I'm just making sure it actually 'works'...

As for the break-in, I personally add oil to the tank to make it 40:1, in addition to the functioning sea-doo oil pump. (maybe should have been 50:1, but o well, won't really 'hurt' anything)

I also remove the fuel filter, and add a bit of oil to that, and to the engine plug holes. (this is a brand new engine)

Start it, let it idle just a few seconds, off to cool. 2-3x.

then, i pretty much follow the guidelines from the above link.

I may, just to be cautious, add a bit extra oil to the 2nd tank as well. Usually I just add extra to the first.

Did you see the new BRP snow mobiles actually break in the engine 'for' you?
the computer has final say in the throttle position, and records how you ride, in addition to hours, to make sure you don't F* up the engine in the first X hours! that's kinda neat...

 

[CDS]

Okay. I've been trying to do my homework for a 951 rebuild. I found SES Egnines in Horsham, PA. Since it is about 1 1/2 hours from home, I want to drop the engine off at the shop. I spoke to Tom, and he wants me to drop the enigne at his house. Says he is having a lot of remodeling done and needs to be at home. Said he has 6 guys working in the shop, so I ask why can't I drop it off with them. He says, no, that he has to see the engine. My first question is, does he have a shop? I'm 60, and I've never had any issues bringing my motorcycle engines or hot rod engines to the shop doing the work for me. What's with this? I'm disappointed, as I wanted to have the work done close, see what they are about so I'm comfortable and save shipping costs. But Tom made me feel very uneasy. Heck, after my third call with Tom, even my wife says things sound fishy.
So. Has anyone ever been to the SES Engine shop in Horsham PA (at least that is where you send your engine)? Has anyone dropped off or picked up there engine at the shop?
And, with SES Engines out. I'm looking for a shop near northeast PA that has people have had good experience with. Again. I won't send my engine. I will take it to the shop. Appreciate any help.

 

[harryb]

Ses

Okay. I've been trying to do my homework for a 951 rebuild. I found SES Egnines in Horsham, PA. Since it is about 1 1/2 hours from home, I want to drop the engine off at the shop. I spoke to Tom, and he wants me to drop the enigne at his house. Says he is having a lot of remodeling done and needs to be at home. Said he has 6 guys working in the shop, so I ask why can't I drop it off with them. He says, no, that he has to see the engine. My first question is, does he have a shop? I'm 60, and I've never had any issues bringing my motorcycle engines or hot rod engines to the shop doing the work for me. What's with this? I'm disappointed, as I wanted to have the work done close, see what they are about so I'm comfortable and save shipping costs. But Tom made me feel very uneasy. Heck, after my third call with Tom, even my wife says things sound fishy.
So. Has anyone ever been to the SES Engine shop in Horsham PA (at least that is where you send your engine)? Has anyone dropped off or picked up there engine at the shop?
And, with SES Engines out. I'm looking for a shop near northeast PA that has people have had good experience with. Again. I won't send my engine. I will take it to the shop. Appreciate any help.

Hi' I had Tom at SES rebuild a 720 for me last fall. I sent my engine to him via UPS and it went to his residence, no I have never been to his shop. I normally got an answering machine when I called there and he usually returned my call within the hour. I found Tom to be extremely helpfull as he spent a considerable amount of time answering all my questions. The engine looks great and started and runs well so far. I believe Sabr has been to his shop and will probably chime in at some point.atriot: