What are common problems with jet skis?

What problems do jet skis have?

Spark plugs that are seized are a common Jet Ski difficulty because of the environment they are employed in. Mold and Mildew on the seat and in the engine bay. If you do not allow out your Sea-Doo, Yamaha, or Kawasaki Jet-Ski atmosphere after every use you will start to draw mold and within your engine bay.

Are jet skis easy to fix?

Although jet ski parts have some similarities to automobile parts, there tend to be some complexities with jet ski repairs that the average handyman may be surprised to find when rebuilding that jet ski engine which looked so easy in the beginning.

How long do jet skis usually last?

Most jet ski models have a lifespan of approximately 300 hours, but if properly maintained they can last much longer.

Do jet skis take a lot of maintenance?

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.

Why you need to be careful buying a used jetski

Is owning a jet ski expensive?

Jet skis are quite expensive to maintain, due to high-performance engines and unique technical solutions. As a rule of thumb, maintaining a jet ski can cost as much as maintaining a smaller car. Keep in mind that the total ownership costs can vary widely from model to model as they always depends on several factors.

How long do jet ski engines last?

As a rule of thumb, the 2-stroke jet ski engines last around 200-300 hours, while the 4-stroke jet ski engines last around 300-500 hours.

What is the most reliable jet ski brand?

This is why it's always good practice to consider multiple brands, and multiple models. Other companies offer models close to Yamaha's dependability but generally they don't quite match it. If you do choose to look around, you'll find that most agree with giving Yamaha the title of most reliable jet ski.

How often do jet skis need servicing?

PWC models require an annual service (once a year), or to be serviced after 50 hours the engine is on (whichever comes first). Check your owner's manual for the exact time period. The average jet ski is ridden 30 hours a year, which means most PWCs get serviced once a year.

Is 500 hours on a jet ski a lot?

As a general rule, anything over 500 hours is too many hours for a 4-stroke jet ski. If it's a 2-stroke jet ski anything over 300 hours is too many. A common trend I'm seeing when buying and selling jet skis is that most people will sell them before 200 hours and a lot will even sell with under 100 hours on them.

What happens if you run a jet ski out of water?

Warning: You can only run your jet ski for 10 seconds maximum on land. Jet skis are designed to run in the water, not on land. The water intake cools the engine and if you leave it running for too long, you risk overheating the engine.

Why won't my jet ski go full speed?

Clogged Jet Pump/Cavitation

The most common reason why jet skis won't accelerate properly is a clogged or damaged jet pump. Jet ski pumps are prone to sucking up seaweed, rocks, ropes, and other debris from the water. In the worst cases, these objects (especially rocks) can damage the impeller or the wear ring.

How much does a jet ski motor cost?

According to SBT, the largest supplier of remanufactured watercraft engines in the world, these are some of the ranges you should see for a jet ski engine: Sea-Doo engine start at around $600 and go up to $3,000. Kawasaki engines start at around $600 and go up to $2,700.

Does flipping a jet ski damage it?

When water gets in the crank case it can damage the engine. If you've flipped your jet ski and the engine is still running, turn the engine off first to minimize the chances of water getting sucked in through the air intake.

Do jet skis turn around when you fall off?

Don't worry; the engine will shut down in case of a fall, so this means the jet ski will stay close to you. Current jet skis models come with safety equipment called a safety lanyard (also known as cut-off lanyard, or jet ski lanyard), which does this job for you.

Can a jet ski sink?

It is possible for jet skis to sink, but not totally because their hulls are designed with floatation foam built into them. So, the bow will stay afloat above water, even if the jet ski fills with water. However, if a substantial amount of water seeped into the hull, your jet ski can be damaged in multiple ways.

How often should you change spark plugs in a jet ski?

If you use your jet ski often, you will probably need to change out the spark plugs approximately every fourth or fifth time you take it out, or every 25 hours of engine time.

How often should I change the oil in my jet ski?

How Often Should I Change Oil in a Jet Ski? According to the manufacturer, you should change the oil in your Jet Ski every year or 50 engine hours, whichever comes first. Although the owner's manual recommends replacing the filter after just 100 engine hours, it's recommended to change the filter every oil change!

Can you rev a jet ski out of water?

You can run the engine without supplying water for a maximum of 15 seconds, but if you attach the hose to the flushing port, you can run the jet ski much longer out of the water. Kawasaki instructs operators to flush the jet ski engine for a couple of minutes after your ride.

Why are jet skis so unreliable?

In a nutshell, the main reasons for jet skis' unreliability are as follows: High-performance engines (up to 310 HP) Complex design and features. Water leaks into the engine compartment (corrosion and electrical failures)

Which is better Yamaha or Sea-Doo?

Many Yamaha owners say that WaveRunners are better than Sea-Doos, as they are more reliable and dependable. Sea-Doo owners argue that Sea-Doos are the better, since they offer more horsepower, more fun, and many exciting features.

What is the most reliable jet ski engine?

Kawasaki STX-15F is the cheapest Jet Ski, and one of the most reliable as well! It's powered with a four-stroke, 1498 cc, non-supercharged engine, which offers around 160 HP. You can expect 60-62 mph top speed on this ski while reaching 0-30 mph in just 2 seconds!

What is better 2-stroke or 4-stroke jet ski?

Due to their design, 2-stroke engines burn oil continuously along with the gas. This means 2-stroke engines don't have as efficient a lubrication system as 4-strokes, so their internals wear out much faster. Moreover, 2 stroke engines are more powerful and run at higher RPMs compared to 4-strokes.

What is high mileage for a jet ski?

A low-hour Jet Ski is one that has been used for less than 50 hours, while 150 hours or more of usage is considered high. Generally speaking, 300 hours of use is an average lifespan of a Jet Ski.

How far can a jet ski go on one tank?

In general, a jet ski can go somewhere from 75-150 miles on a tank of gas. Again, these numbers could vary widely depending on several factors like the jet ski's performance, curb weight, fuel capacity, or the weather conditions.