SES Engines - My Experience

[CVFD1314]

So here's an update to my 717 engine I sent Tom back in early may 2012. I emailed him on Oct 1st inquiring about the status of my engine, thinking it would be back by then, and he replied saying he had it done for a while but waiting on rotary valve shaft that was back ordered. Keep in mind at that point it was october, so riding was done for the year and I was in no major hurry to get it back as I will have all winter to working on getting it back in. He said it shouldnt be too much longer and not it's December 8th and it's still not here, so it looks like I'm going on 24 weeks before getting it back. I've read on here people are getting there's back anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks. Other than the part being on back order, mine sure is taking a long time. SO still waiting, patiently, for it to return. What's interesting is when I sent my engine to him, he had put me in a 5 week turnabout spot, as he said was the last spot for that time frame. I guess that idea was shot down. I will post on here as soon as it returns and give a TOTAL time frame for my motor. I've read and heard too many good things about SES engines but there wait time was long, I'm seeing that for myself!

 

[adamsbj123]

You are scaring me !
I sent my engine to SES because they were about $500 cheaper than SBT. The reviews about the work quality are good. I heard about the long turnaround times but like you I was thinking I would have all Winter to get it back and be ready for Summer. You have been waiting 24 weeks and me 16 weeks. One guy on here said Tom told him his is shipping next week after only waiting 8 weeks.
I think the biggest problem is that SES requires full payment in advance. Therefore eliminating any incentive for a reasonable turnaround time. As a consumer it would make more sense to offer 50% payment upfront to cover parts costs. Then the remaining balance when the engine is finished.
I am seriously concerned.

 

[Robj]

And this is slow season. They now have a guaranteed ship date on their website. Hope Tom reads these posts because long turnarounds aren't good for his business. But they do good work.

 

[CVFD1314]

At this point I just want a good running engine, I already have most of the winter ahead of me. I would like to see mine show up around the first of the year so I can start on the install.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

CVFD...have you paid already? I would assume so. If I even thought about using these guys they would know up front if timelines get broken I would be calling my CC company or starting a paypal dispute. After 60 days you are hose on paypal.

 

[CVFD1314]

Yep, I paid back in may just before I shipped my engine off. I'm not the one to nag or anything but I bet plenty of people would if there's was taking as long as mine. I can understand it taking a long time but as long as I'm told that in the beginning, instead of being told 5 weeks. I found out about a part being on back order by contacting tom myself instead of him letting me know. So I expect to hear from him when's its being shipped or the motor will just show up one day.

 

[anthonygrato]

We all know the squeaky wheel get the oil! I would be on the phone two to three times a day. Until I got it back. I would ask what part is back ordered and where they get there parts from and call to check to see if it was.

 

[donkey]

or find out what part he is waiting for,find it,buy it yourself n ship it to him

 

[bell99man]

I don't care what the excuse is, 24 weeks for any rebuild is totally unacceptable. I will never darken their door.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I agree that's crazy long... I expect a 4 week max, ideally 2 weeks.

This is also why I keep a FULL spare 951 in my basement. drop in ready, just swap the carbs. Even the oil pump is on it and primed.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

or find out what part he is waiting for,find it,buy it yourself n ship it to him

the exact opposite of my approach, i'd immediately ask for a full refund and return of all my parts, about oh... 12 weeks ago...

 

[anthonygrato]

I agree that's crazy long... I expect a 4 week max, ideally 2 weeks.

This is also why I keep a FULL spare 951 in my basement. drop in ready, just swap the carbs. Even the oil pump is on it and primed.

Omg sabtoothsqrl I never though of that. I have to start looking for a spare engine. I can tinker with it while its cold out. When the time comes with any luck never. I have one ready to go.
Thanks sabtoothsqrl

 

[kwiktsi]

the exact opposite of my approach, i'd immediately ask for a full refund and return of all my parts, about oh... 12 weeks ago...

I agree, especially since there would probably be warranty/liability issues with using a customer supplied part in a rebuild. And once again, I'm going to say- and people question my rebuilding of my own engines regardless of where the parts come from ...

 

[donkey]

I agree, especially since there would probably be warranty/liability issues with using a customer supplied part in a rebuild. And once again, I'm going to say- and people question my rebuilding of my own engines regardless of where the parts come from ...

true,,didnt think of the warranty issue

 

[kwiktsi]

true,,didnt think of the warranty issue

Yeah, being in the repair business as long as I have been, it gets tricky when somebody brings you their own parts- especially if it is one part in a complete rebuild that has your name on it and you have to warranty. I can't speak for SES, but I know many who would rather lose/turn the job away than risk it.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Omg sabtoothsqrl I never though of that. I have to start looking for a spare engine. I can tinker with it while its cold out. When the time comes with any luck never. I have one ready to go.
Thanks sabtoothsqrl

It's not the cheapest route, but our seasons are so short that it's the way I went.. considering all of my 4 ski's all use 951s... it's a fairly safe bet. I can be back on the water, with a full swap in under 5 hours if I really pushed it, or more likely next day.

I found a 99 XP w/a blown engine and had SES rebuild it to new, added all the accessories (carb adapters, RAVEs, oil pump, etc), fogged it w/a ton of fogger and XPS oil, and then covered all the open parts with plastic /tape, put it in a box, and it sits in my basement...

Many have questioned the cost / benefit, but I'm not missing any of summer. I spent 3 years blowing engines / tuning issues, until I found out it was the guy who I was paying to work on my carb's fault (now I do my own carbs)... (the jets were wrong!) how freaking easy of a fix would that have been FOUR rebuilds, 10 engine swaps, and thousands of $$ pissed away later.... ugh... I may pickup another 02 XP just because I love the ski so much I'd like to keep one brand new and ready in my basement... (I think if I take the hood off, It would pass sideways though a normal door lol)...

anyway, with only a 3-4 month season in PA, I'm not willing to have any down time, ever again.

If your not in a rush, find a ski w/the same engine, that's in rough shape. Sell all the parts you don't need and rebuild yourself a stand by engine... I don't like parting out skis, but I got a 99 w/the blown for around $500. Sold the MPEM alone for $350, then got a ton of spare parts for me, and used the core to make a 'new' engine . jet pump sold for like $200 too.... VTS was $100 or so... these things are worth more dead than alive.

However, I only part out ones that can't be saved... destroyed lids / smashed hulls / etc... if it's just the engine, I'd rather toss an engine in it and sell it whole

 

[rjcress]

Update: My engine went to SES via UPS on Monday, Oct. 22. ...

Just received my engine via UPS today. :cheers::thumbsup::coolgleam:
I was surprised, as I had not received a tracking number, or even a "heads up" from SES that the engine had shipped. Tom replied to my email inquiry last week that they expected to ship it this week... but he didn't let me know it had left his shop.
So, for those wondering, expect to be surprised when your engine is delivered.

Also, as I saw a few post of folks that sent theirs in after me that hadn't got their engine back yet, mine is a 951 DI and I ordered the Premium rebuild.

Pics of opening the package:

 

[adamsbj123]

Well atleast I know that they are still in business. Why would they ship it without sending an email or calling with a tracking number? I still don't understand how you got yours back after 8 weeks. I also paid for a premium rebuild for my 787 RFI back in August and have been waiting about 16 weeks now. Poor CVFD1314 has been waiting 24 weeks.
Your engine looks great. Let me know how it runs.

 

[rjcress]

I still don't understand how you got yours back after 8 weeks. I also paid for a premium rebuild for my 787 RFI back in August and have been waiting about 16 weeks now. Poor CVFD1314 has been waiting 24 weeks.

I don't know either, but my guess would be that they didn't have supply issues with the parts for the 951 DI, but they have with the other models.
I think I'm going to have to send my 787 out of my Challenger boat soon. I'll definitely check on the expected turn-around before I send that one.

 

[adamsbj123]

Prior to paying and shipping I called to get information. Tom told me that they don't offer a standard rebuild for the 787 RFI only the Premium rebuild. He told me the turnaround would be 6-8 weeks.

 

[anthonygrato]

It's Christmas at your house!

 

[CVFD1314]

Seriously, what in the WORLD?!?! I can't believe mine is taking so long to get back, huh! Well I'm glad yours came back pretty fast. I'm just at the point now to where my engine will get here when it gets here. I expect it to show up one day without hearing a word from Tom so it'll feel like Christmas to me whenever it gets here. I will keep you guys updated

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Just received my engine via UPS today. :cheers::thumbsup::coolgleam:
I was surprised, as I had not received a tracking number, or even a "heads up" from SES that the engine had shipped. Tom replied to my email inquiry last week that they expected to ship it this week... but he didn't let me know it had left his shop.
So, for those wondering, expect to be surprised when your engine is delivered.

Also, as I saw a few post of folks that sent theirs in after me that hadn't got their engine back yet, mine is a 951 DI and I ordered the Premium rebuild.
Pics of opening the package:

In the third pic, is that your original rave still dirty. Do you send them those too?

 

[Spimothy Leary]

according to the website yes, they clearance them. you don't send the whole assembly, just the blades themselves.

i got bored last night and looked at their website, the prices ARE dam good.

 

[rjcress]

In the third pic, is that your original rave still dirty. Do you send them those too?

Yes, and yes.
They cleaned and clearanced the business end of the RAVE valves, but left the rest dirty.