You can have the time of your life for an entire summer by riding the waves in the open sea! But owning a jet ski is not all fun and games. There are some serious responsibilities involved when it comes to the proper maintenance of the vehicle.
A lot can happen if you skip maintenance and don’t flush your jet ski. Salt, sand, dirt, and mud can accumulate in the mechanical and electrical parts of the engine. This can decrease the lifespan of the vehicle. Severe damage can even make the machine unusable in the worst-case scenario.
Whether you’re entirely new to the Jet Ski game or have been here for a couple of years, it’s essential to know what happens if you don’t flush a Jet Ski. Maintaining your personal watercraft (PWC) properly is the first step to ensure they remain functional for all seasons. Let’s delve deeper and find out more!
Flushing And Cleaning Your Jet Ski
When traveling out on the water each day, it’s vital to flush the engine after every ride. Flushing is a specific procedure that’s critical to increasing the overall life expectancy of a jet ski.
Moreover, flushing the engine ensures that the Jet Ski is in top-notch condition and properly functioning. The golden rule of jet ski flushing is to always clean the entire jet ski after every ride and then pack it away.
Here are some crucial steps for flushing the jet ski correctly:
Preparation
Before you start flushing your Jet Ski, you need to prepare the vehicle for it. Open all the storage areas, including the glove box and hoods. After that, removing the seats and placing them on top of the storage mat is a good idea.
Remove the bungs from the back of the Jet Ski or the storage/glove box and wash them properly in the next step.
Washing
You need to slowly chock the trailer wheels. Place the jockey wheels on top of a crate or bucket to lift them in front of the hull. Use a hose to wash down, starting from front to rear, as well as inside and outside. Make sure the water doesn’t enter electrical regions, air intakes, or fuel breathers.
Use soapy buckets and sponges to clean the tubs and seats to protect them from salt and sand. Rinsing the pump area is very important. Make sure there is no sand or small rocks damaging the prop/liner of the jet pump.
Let all the water exit from the hull of the Jet Ski. Then you can remove the leftovers using some sponges.
Engine Flushing
Check the owner’s manual to find the flush port for your exact model of Jet Ski. Fixate your Jet Ski to a straight level and get a hose for plugging it into the vehicle.
Turn on the Jet Ski before starting the water flow and let it run for around 10 seconds. After powering up the engine, turn on the hose and let the water flow for approximately 3 minutes. Turn off the water after 3 minutes. Run the Jet Ski for an extra 5-10 seconds to clear out any excess water from the system.
Never use throttle squeeze to spit out the saltwater from the ramp before going through the flushing process. It will only integrate more salts into the components.
Maintenance Hacks For A Jet Ski
Proper knowledge of maintaining a jet ski is crucial for enjoying all of the fun it has to offer for years to come. Taking actual preventive steps is the way to go for maintaining a Jet Ski for a long time.
Here are some essential maintenance tips that you should keep in mind:
Learn All About Your Jet Ski
No matter what specific model of PWC you have, the best place to start learning about your Jet Ski is by going through the user’s manual.
An experienced PWC owner will always refer to the model-specific manual to find out the proper instructions and exact procedures to follow. Answers to questions like, “Can you start a jet ski out of water?” or “How to maintain and clean the jet ski” will be described in detail in the manual.
If you’re a novice, you should always refer back to your manual. Knowing all the basics of riding a Jet Ski, along with the function of a jet engine and the supercharger, will provide you with a whole lot of confidence.
Maintain the Fluids
There are differences in the fuel composition between the older and the newer Jet Ski models.
Older models usually contain 2-stroke engines, and these engines require a premixture of oil and fluids. The newer Jet Ski engines have overcome this problem and don’t require any mixer solutions.
Don’t forget to check the fuel and adequately evaluate its condition before taking out your Jet Ski for a ride. Check for optimal fuel composition, whether the fuel has stabilizer mixed or not.
It’s good practice to add fuel cleaner and stabilizer before starting the engine or after taking it out of storage.
Protect the Jet Ski Exterior
Protecting the exterior of your Jet Ski from wear and tear will make it look like new for an extended period of time. You’ll also have a good time driving it through the ocean.
Washing the vehicle down every time after a salt-water ride will keep it’s exterior looking pristine. Rinse off the saltwater and other residues like dirt, dust, sand, mud, etc.
Waxing can also be a great way to restore the brightness and shine of the exterior of a jet ski. But learn to do it right or consult a professional for proper waxing.
Check for Damaged or Loose Parts
It is crucial for every Jet Ski owner to regularly check and look over all the wires and other mechanical parts. This part of Jet Ski maintenance is essential for the longevity of the PWC.
Check whether any of the Jet Ski parts have become loose or damaged. Be ready to replace or repair them as soon as possible before they end up causing any mechanical failure.
Another important maintenance tip is to smell any leaked oil or fuel before starting the engine. Leaked fuel could indicate a compromised oil tank, a loose cable, or a major engine issue.
Use a PWC Lift
PWCs like Jet Skis aren’t designed for storing them in water for more extended periods. The salt in the seawater could delaminate the hull. It could also damage the mechanical and electrical parts of the Jet Ski.
A PWC lift will make sure these types of damages are infrequent. It will also make it safer and easier to conveniently transport and store your Jet Ski. Moreover, the overall process of boarding and exiting the watercraft gets much easier and safer for everyone if you have a PWC lift.
Final Thoughts on Flushing Your Jet Ski
Taking proper care of a jet ski is not an easy task. It takes considerable time and effort from your side. But spending some time cleaning and flushing it thoroughly, taking conscious notice of whether all the parts are working properly, and storing it in the winter, will make your life a whole lot easier.
So what happens if you don’t flush a jet ski regularly after every ride? Chances are it will start to show signs of failure within a very short while. For keeping the Jet Ski looking new and functional for years to come, there is no alternative to regular flushing.