How To: Sea-Doo 4-TEC Engine Valve Replacement (Part 1 of 2)

Full instructions for valve replacement of a Sea-Doo 4-Tec 1503 engine. Performed on a 2005 GTX 185 jet ski boat.
Part 1 of 2: Removal of valves and disassembly of engine.
Here's Part 2 of 2: • How To: Sea-Doo 4-TEC ...
Valve Spring Compression Tool: www.amazon.com...
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Filmed with a GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition camera.

[@Mike-vb2xj]

I did this repair to my two 2004 4-tecs. These videos gave me the confidence needed to tackle the job. Only snag I ran into was the valve keepers. I didn't realize that I could not reuse the old ones with the new supertech valves. Called supertech directly and they had parts delivered to my door in 48 hours. Thanks for the videos guys! Saved me a lot of money.

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Great stuff, Mike!

[@jimnuna2022]

more people need make these no non sense how to vids, One best how to vids on you tube

[@BoostedFL]

Wish you were my neighbor lol good vids all the way around

[@briantheissen1922]

Excellent video ! Thank you for making. I have a 2010 sea-doo challenger, 430hp (2 x 215hp ; 4-Tec) and I think I have a bad head gasket in the port side motor and going to test with a leak test. This video showed me how to remove the head without pulling the motor. Thanks again.

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Thanks for the kind words, Brian. Good luck with your repair!

[@jeremiahlf]

Very professional and clear.

[@garysmith9671]

Great video. I enjoy watching your video's

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Thanks, Gary.

[@luckylally1347]

Thanks to your video I pulled my head apart and found that valves were bent. I have looked around and no one seems to know why the valves are bending. Is it because they are weak since they are “hollow”?

[@3ftDeepChannel]

I doubt it. What year model do you have? It could also be that your timing is off.

[@darrenclarke7686]

Great Video!! - I'm getting ready to do the exact same to my 2005 RXP - I've pulled the motor to do the Oiler Mod and Flywheel bolts at the same time. Found 'scaring' on the oil pumps, so I'm going to replace them also - Do you have a video of any work on the two oil pumps?

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Sorry, all the "How To" videos we've made so far are posted on our channel. Chris replaced the flywheel bolts on his GTX 185 only days before I decided to start filming these things. Good luck with your oil pumps!

[@stevenv2190]

Got a 2004 GTX NA, I will be doing the valve cover gasket and the spark plug tubes due to oil in the tubes. The ski only has about 290 hours on it. Should I be concerned about changing the valves as well? Does not look like an easy job an there are fewer places that work on older skis.

[@3ftDeepChannel]

The earlier exhaust valves are known to fail and do a lot of collateral damage when they do fail for peace of mind it would be a good idea to install updated valves like Supertech. That said the NA models have a much lower failure rate the ski might run great for years or you could have a valve failure on the next ride it's a lot of money to spend on an older model I would probably just ride it. If this was a supercharged model I would recommend replacing the valves.

[@josepjimenez2912]

@3ftDeep i dont see reason why remove first negative then +. But you are professionals.. can please explain why?

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Here's a half-decent explanation someone came up with: www.quora.com/Why-do-we-connect-the-positive-terminal-before-the-negative-terminal-to-ground-in-a-vehicle-battery.

[@josepjimenez2912]

3ftDeep thanks. I read what i was suspecting. Main reason is a low risk scenario, that implies a metalic chasis or body (as in a car) Well, in case of pwc, i assume the worse danger is motor block being to close to battery. So, it make sense but is a extremelly tip to avoid a short-circuit when you tight battery terminals with a spanner. Thanks again.

[@luke_cowis]

Hi. Do I have to drain the oil before replacing head gasket or can I leave it in pan? Thanks

[@3ftDeepChannel]

If you're only taking off the cylinder head to replace the head gasket, you don't need to drain the oil.

[@АндрейЛебедев-о2г]

Help. Why in the coolant oil falls, and it turns into an emulsion? GTX Wake 155 brp2005

[@joemurray1454]

Hi I have a 2007 215 rxp need to replace the timing chain, can it be done with out taking the front of the motor off. Can you help?

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Unfortunately replacing the timing chain is a big job, as you need to take the engine apart to get to it.

[@garrettb4594]

Great video! I have an 05 gtx std and I think I'm going to have to replace the head gasket, but I thought I remember the valves only being an issue on the SC models. Do you know if that's true or not?

[@3ftDeepChannel]

The valves are the same on reg and SC models for some reason the SC models had a higher failure rate possibly due the the higher exhaust gas temperatures. If the head is coming off for a head gasket I would take the opportunity to replace all the valves with stainless ones and new valve seals. Good luck.

[@garrettb4594]

@@3ftDeepChannel thanks for the quick reply. Your stuff is so helpful! Was it just exhaust valves or intake as well?

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Exhaust are the problem ones, but since you're already in there why not do the intakes as well ...

[@aliasMRsir]

I had the valves done. They didnt require the cam so they didnt check the cam inners on the head. They are badly scored, so are the cam journals. Timing gear bolts keep snapping. Can the badly scored cam cause this, and would it mean i might have wasted money having the valves done, as i might need a new head.

[@3ftDeepChannel]

If the cam journals in the head and the cam itself is badly scored you might have a problem with oil delivery to the head you need to find the underlying problem and not just fix the symptoms or you will damage the head and cam again. It's hard to tell how bad without pics I would take the head into a machine shop and ask their opinion a good engine shop can help with diagnosing what went wrong.

[@garypope2989]

How long did this take you? I might tackle this myself...

[@3ftDeepChannel]

I checked the time stamps on the videos and it took us 4 hours and 44 minutes over 3 days. That's with filming, camera setup, etc. Without filming, it should take about 4 hours.

[@henrytischbein155]

Can u make a video on how to replace the piston rings

[@3ftDeepChannel]

We've made a video on rebuilding the engine (including the rings), but it's scheduled for release this fall.

[@lawrence5017]

What years of the GTX have an issue with the valves? Mines an 06 , should I be worried?

[@3ftDeepChannel]

2006 models could have the old or the updated valves as far aw we know. The only way to know is to check the number stamped on the top of the valve stem. "72" are the old valves "75" are the good ones. Good luck!

[@lawrence5017]

3ftDeep I got 75 yay

[@3ftDeepChannel]

@@lawrence5017 Great news!

[@ChrisLawley43]

How reliable are the seadoo 4 ted engines?? I am wanting to build an aluminum jet boat with one of these engines and trying to figure out should i use yamaha or seadoo or are they equally reliable??

[@3ftDeepChannel]

They're very reliable. Had some problem with valves and supercharger until around 2007/08 but it's pretty much bullet-proof now. Yamaha engines are solid, too. I'd say yes, they're equally reliable. Good luck with your boat!

[@ChrisLawley43]

+3ftDeep thanks now i know some of the newer engines produced 215 hp what does yours produce?how many hours can they go before rebuild just so it will give me an idea on buying one and if i am over paying? I had read good things about yamaha so i'm looking for both seadoo and yamaha but want to stay around the 200hp range. I'm gonna build a mini jet boat 11'

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Mine has 215 HP, Chris's machine has 185. It takes a supercharger to go from 155 HP to 185 HP on Sea-Doos, and an intercooler to get it from 185 to 215 HP. The superchargers need rebuilding every 100-200 hours, but the newer ones are maintenance-free. Other than that, it's hard to say how long the engines will run for, but it's hundreds of hours. I had 335 hrs on an older machine with a supercharger before I sold it with no problems, but some people say than can reach thousands of hours. Most people feel that the engine will run longer without a supercharger or intercooler, so that limits you to around 155 HP. Good luck with your project!

[@ChrisLawley43]

+3ftDeep Thanks

[@WhatIThinkNation]

Ive had a few 4tec 1503 motors and they are very solid. Mine is a 215hp supercharged motor since 2005 and even with the stock parts its how you maintain them. They are a lot safer in boats since they dont jump out of the water as much (high rev falling into full load). Boats usually keep the rear in the water pretty much at all times unlike jet skis. Just get familiar with how to check for ceramics on the supercharger (replaced with metal on 2008+ models) and some general items like inter coolers tend to fail if not winterized properly (corrosion, freeze cracks) then your engine starts drinking air and water at the same time through the intake. Hope you get a decent engine and have fun out there :)

[@miketerry6784]

My wheel on my supercharger spins both ways freely? is it only suppose to spin one way? Also what size is the nut. I know this is very old but hoping someone knows the answer here. Thanks

[@3ftDeepChannel]

If your supercharger isn't on the machine, that's the way it's supposed to be. To find the correct info on your model, check out Sea-Doo's parts catalog at the following URL: epc.brp.com/Index.aspx?lang=E&s1=67bc74a4-1300-448d-b86c-c39904e06656 Good luck.

[@ayhamalhindi5172]

What was the issue before you started fixing

[@3ftDeepChannel]

There was no real issue. We heard that the older valve stems may have issues, so we replaced the valves as a preventative measure.

[@tallflyer]

Where did that valve compression tool come from?

[@3ftDeepChannel]

tallflyer It was borrowed from a mechanic friend. It can be bought at automotive supply shops, though.

[@2lapaz]

What are the sizes for the locking pins for camshaft

[@3ftDeepChannel]

JD Laney The crank and cam locking pins are special service tools available from either Seadoo or an aftermarket PWC supplier the ones used in the video are from SBT. A 1/4" drive socket extention or a long screwdriver with a 1/4" diameter shaft would work for the cam tool in a pinch. The crank tool is a specific length that threads into the block I'm sure you could rig something up that might work. The aftermarket tools are not expensive so I would not risk messing something up to save a few bucks on some tools.

[@jchulski19]

what parts will I need to complete this job? obviously the head bolts and valves and head gasket but would it be possible to give a complete rundown of what i will need?

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Justin Chulski That's reasonable. I won't be able to put it together for a while, but I'll try to get these listed before the end of the summer. Thanks for your comment.

[@jchulski19]

ok thanks

[@henrytischbein155]

How hard is it to rebuild the top end my skis got almost 600 hours on it so I think it’s almost time

[@3ftDeepChannel]

You usually need a machine shop to clean out the cylinders. That's the most expensive part, and can easily run you >$1,000.

[@henrytischbein155]

3ftDeep ok thx I thought it was just as simple as replacing the pistons

[@3ftDeepChannel]

You wouldn't normally need to replace the pistons, just the piston rings. The piston surface should also be resurfaced at the same time.

[@henrytischbein155]

3ftDeep so do I need take the block to a machine shop if I’m just replacing the piston rings

[@3ftDeepChannel]

It is advisable

[@garysmith9671]

Is there any way I can send pictures to you about something I have found on a 2003 GTX 4-TEK deck to piston hight. The piston is 90 thousands lower on one side. All the other pistons come up to to the cylinder even. The one piston I am talking about is at the drive end. Thanks

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Sure. Send your pics to [e-mail] with brief descriptions.

[@garysmith9671]

Thank you so much for your reply. I found the problem. A bent rod.

[@3ftDeepChannel]

Wow, that’s extreme!

[@vicario62590]

wheres part 2

[@3ftDeepChannel]

It'll be posted within a few days. Finished filming, but still editing to make it as short as possible.