So I got my ski back from the dealer after having the valves adjusted,

abmobil · 03-06-2010, 07:11 PM

It runs great ,and always has.
They had to shim both #1 cyl exhaust valves, one of the #4 cyl exhaust valves, one #2cyl intake valve,and both #4cyl intake valves.

So 6 valves were out of spec.
He said it was nothing drastic ,and everything looked good.
I dont know if you can tell by just having the valve cover off ,and cams out ,but they said all keepers ,and valve springs looked good,and I have nothing to worry about.

I expressed concern about him looking at all those components because of the spring failures we have read about on here.
I know a few later models have had some spring failures ,but he said only the first year models had the problem.

221 hours as of today.
I ran it in some REALLY cold water ,and it was holding high 6400ish rpms.

I was a little suprised I needed 6 shims.
Does this seem resonable at this point in its life?
Thanks.

dav_dman · 03-06-2010, 07:23 PM

never heard of an 02 breaking a spring. Have heard of an 04 normally aspirated breaking springs (they are double, i think). Weird.

pm cosca or nitro with your question and let us know.

Kyoshoman · 03-06-2010, 07:26 PM

What did they charge you for that?

abmobil · 03-06-2010, 07:35 PM

Parts ,and labor was $270.
I believe the book called for 2 hours.
I think that was supposed to be the price just for the inspection ,but Im not sure.

He said its a PITA ,and they learned there lesson so Im guessing the next guy that wants this done will be charged more.

SuperMAC · 03-06-2010, 08:01 PM

I dont know of any broken springs, but tossing keepers is something that is known to happen. This usually manifests itself when grossly overrevved or if a spring looses too much tension combined with an overrev.

mikestir · 03-08-2010, 04:30 AM

I agree with supermac,as i dislodged a keeper in a short course race when the ski left the water at high revs.this was at a 100hr mark,with 60hrs of hard racing on it.valves seat were redone everything else looked good.replaced two spring and a bent valve.now has 160hrs

JR IN JAX · 03-08-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikestir

I agree with supermac,as i dislodged a keeper in a short course race when the ski left the water at high revs.this was at a 100hr mark,with 60hrs of hard racing on it.valves seat were redone everything else looked good.replaced two spring and a bent valve.now has 160hrs

My '02 ate a valve at 135 hours while crusing at 5K on the Suwannee. I think the valve stuck and the impact relaesed the keeper. My engine was a total wipeout.

abmobil · 03-08-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikestir

I agree with supermac,as i dislodged a keeper in a short course race when the ski left the water at high revs.this was at a 100hr mark,with 60hrs of hard racing on it.valves seat were redone everything else looked good.replaced two spring and a bent valve.now has 160hrs

Oh gosh, even though I have never professionally raced, this thing has left the water SO many times at high revs!!!
Mainly when it was new before I knew better.
I def try to back off asap when it comes unhooked now ,but it still happens.

JR IN JAX ,im familiar with your story ,but your replacement engine is around 400 plus hours now right?

My main question is when a valve adjustment is done, would one be able to see if a future problem was on the horizon?
Thanks.

JR IN JAX · 03-08-2010, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abmobil

Oh gosh, even though I have never professionally raced, this thing has left the water SO many times at high revs!!!
Mainly when it was new before I knew better.
I def try to back off asap when it comes unhooked now ,but it still happens.

JR IN JAX ,im familiar with your story ,but your replacement engine is around 400 plus hours now right?

My main question is when a valve adjustment is done, would one be able to see if a future problem was on the horizon?
Thanks.

Yes the replacement has been bullet-proof. I think it was only the early models that could have an issue. I never hear of the recent models having any issues, except turbo-rusting.

03-16-2010, 06:58 PM

Your cams wear slightly and carbon on valve seats changes the measurment, the only way to test the spring is do a free length measurment or use a pressure press....when I changed my springs I had 4 that were right at the limit. I beat my ski to death tho

You will not notice that adjustment in the running condition of the ski..... if the measurment is too far it will not open the valve to its fullest position....could loose some RPMS if its too close it will wear on the spring and the cam lobe....it was probably too far and the added bigger shims thats completely normal