While you enjoy jet ski joyride, you also need to ensure that it runs perfectly next time. That’s why you need to winterize a jet ski for the next season. Follow the below-mentioned steps to winterize your jet ski.

Step 1: Flush the jet ski by using freshwater and do this for about 3 minutes.

Step 2: Disconnect the water hose and let your jet ski have a couple of blips on the throttle to discard any leftover water from the exhaust system.

Step 3: Add the fuel stabilizer. Double-check the bottle as well as the fuel level of the jet ski to ensure that you’re filling enough fuel.

Step 4: Ideally, you should fill up the jet ski’s fuel level all the way up, especially if you’re storing it outside. This will help your jet ski to prevent any condensation build up in the tank.

Step 5: Carefully remove the air intake pipe of the jet ski from the throttle body. Check your jet ski’s model and follow the guidelines on how to remove the air intake pipe according to the user manual.

Step 6: Then start up the jet ski and put some fogging oil into the throttle body. Continue doing this until the jet ski starts to cut out or when it releases a white smoke from the exhaust.

Step 7: Carefully disconnect the spark plugs and stick coils. Do not start any work if there’s still power going through your jet ski. This might cause accidents and damage to your jet ski.

Step 8: Use the fogging oil again and apply it to the jet ski’s cylinders. Squeeze each cylinder for at least 3 seconds.

Step 9: Return the spark plugs and stick coils inside the unit. Make sure that they are attached securely and not loose.

Step 10: Open the throttle and start cranking over to the jet ski. Do this for a couple of times every few seconds.

Step 11: You will need to remove the battery. Taking out the battery will help preserve the jet ski’s battery life. Store the battery somewhere where it’s not freezing or at a low temperature.

Step 12: Spray the engine with an anti-corrosive lubricant spray to get rid of any excess water from the engine bay. Excess water can mess up the quality of your jet ski and might attract rust as well. Make sure that there’s no excess water left before proceeding to the last step.

Step 13: Then, start running your coolant through the exhaust system until it starts to appear at the pump end. Ensure to follow the advised set-up for the bilge pump, which is powered by an external battery. Again the bilge pump set-up might vary depending on the type of jet ski model you have. Be sure to verify before starting with your set-up.

FAQs – Frequently asked questions

  1. When to winterize your jet ski?

Ideally, it’s best to winterize your jet ski when the temperatures drop to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. It will be a huge help if you’re up to date with your local weather news. Be alert when the temperature reaches below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

  1. Why do you need to winterize your jet ski?

One main reason is to protect the jet ski’s engine. The fuel used for jet ski is more susceptible to moisture. It has a tendency to absorb any condensation that takes place on the inside of the fuel tank that usually forms when there’s a drastic or sudden change with temperature.

During the summer season, the fuel can absorb at least 0.5% of moisture. This triggers the ethanol to disengage with the gasoline forming an ethanol-water mixture. This combination is quite lethal to your engine and is the number one cause for corrosion and lethan.

Once this mixture starts to build up, it’s going to eat away the aluminum tanks. It will also strip the anodizing off the sides of the tank. Gasoline also decomposes and oxidizes over time. This can form into nasty deposits that can harden and smell like varnish.

  1. Does it cost a lot to winterize the jet ski?

If you’re planning to DIY the whole process, then you might need to prepare at least 200$ for the total cost. Getting professional help can cost you around 400-500$, depending on the shop that you’ll go to. To save up some bucks, we recommend that you do it on your own. That’s if you know how to do the whole process. You may also seek help from a family member or some friends. If not, you can ask someone you know to teach you how to winterize the jet ski until you can finally do it on your own.

  1. How long does it take to do the whole process?

Depending on your skill, it shouldn’t take an hour to do the whole process. Having a partner to help you will make a difference as well.

How do you winterize a Seadoo jet ski?

How do you put antifreeze in a jet ski?

Do jet skis need to be winterized?

Winterize the Jet Ski Exhaust System

Winterizing the exhaust is only necessary if you live in a cold climate and plan to store your jet ski outdoors during the off-season.

What happens if you don’t winterize a jet ski?

If You Don’t Winterize Your Boat, Here’s What Happens: Water freezes and expands and can damage anything it’s trapped inside. Water may seep into unprotected spaces to do this. Acidic and corrosive wastes, salt and corrosion buildup can damage delicate parts in engines. Fuels break down or grow dirty.

What happens if you don’t winterize your boat?

Winterizing a boat is an essential process unless you plan to make necessary repairs to your boat come springtime. If you do not winterize your boat, any water droplets left could freeze, expand, and break the components they were in. This could cause anything from blowing off a hose to completely ruining your engine.

How much antifreeze is needed to winterize a jet ski?

Adding Antifreeze and Fogging Oil to an Inboard engine

Warm the engine up to operating temperature, just like with a sterndrive. Instead of using a winterizing kit, you’ll need a five-gallon bucket, and enough antifreeze for your engine and related plumbing (at least two gallons).

How do you run antifreeze through a Seadoo?

Produce a two gallon mix of antifreeze and water in a five gallon bucket and using a hose or using a water pump or bilge pump attaché to the flush outlet and start the watercraft engine.

How do you store a Seadoo in the winter?

If you plan on storing your watercraft outside, cover it with an opaque, breathable tarp or Sea–Doo cover. This will protect your Sea–Doo from damaging sun rays and keep it dust and grime free for next season.

How do you winterize a 2020 Seadoo?

Can you store a jet ski outside in the winter?

If you plan on storing your watercraft outside, cover it with an opaque, breathable tarp or Sea-Doo cover. This will protect your Sea-Doo from damaging sun rays and keep it dust and grime free for next season.

How much does it cost to store jet skis?

If you have been planning to store your new jet skis outdoors this winter, then realize that even though California winter temperatures are typically mild, the outdoor elements can still damage your jet skis. To avoid all of the hazards of outdoor PWC storage, it is best to store your jet skis indoors.

How much does it cost to store a jet ski for the winter?

Jet Ski Storage

For people who don’t have a garage at home, that means renting out a storage space. It also means purchasing a PWC (personal watercraft) lift – or a jet ski storage rack – which on the low end costs about $250.

How much does it cost to winterize jet ski?

It is going to cost about $700 to have your jet ski winterized. The price will change depending on where you live and the services you are requesting.

Which Jet Ski is most reliable?

The average cost of getting a jet ski winterized by a mechanic is $600-$800. To get an accurate price for your personal jet ski, call a local dealer and they will be able to tell you a more exact price.

Are jet skis high maintenance?

Yamaha’s Waverunners take home the trophy for the most reliable jet ski, but there are some good runner ups. Kawasaki and the now extinct Honda jet skis are both renowned for their dependability.

Is owning a jet ski worth it?

The average jet ski gets about 30 hours of riding a year meaning that you can expect to burn 120-300 gallons in a year. Depending on gas prices you should expect to spend $300-600+ annually. Ongoing maintenance is another cost that will need to be accounted for.