How to maintain your PWC

This video shows you the minimum you need to do after each ride! If you have a SeaDoo, you still need to flush.
Do not waste your time on trying out different kinds of rust inhibitors, get Fluid Film aerosol can and enjoy a rust free ski for years to come! You can even wax your ski with Fluid Film to avoid getting hard water spots such as what everyone experiences at Lake Havasu.
Just a note, do not spray your engine if it is hot. Let the engine cool down before hitting it with water.
Subscribe to Captains Aviation if you like what you see! Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

[@CaptainsAviation]

Thanks so much! My friend bought the ski in the video and I force him to follow my regiment lol! Ski has 260 hours now. Nothing but oil and filter change and is performing flawless!

[@vikfan4life]

I just bought my first jet ski. A 1996 sea doo spi. The guy I bought it from never mentioned this to me. I don’t know where the hose hookup would be. Thank good for the internet. Thanks for the informative video

[@PaulJordan318]

Just got a 09 Yamaha Waverunner FX Cruiser SHO. My first PWC. I should of gotten one of these years a ago. Love it! Thank you for the info!

[@rustynails113]

Excellent video. One week ago I bought my first PWC, 2019 Yamaha FX SVHO Supercharged Limited. I have been breaking it in on a fresh water lake (two runs), but intend to use it in saltwater. I am very glad I found your video.

[@gureno19]

they need to put a much bigger emphasis on NOT turning on the water if the jetski is not running. if you dont, the water fills the internal water jackets quickly in the block, and because most yamahas have watercooled exhausts, the exhaust fills up and runs back through the exhaust and into the combustion chamber through open valves (always some valves open when engine is off) you then start your ski and hydrolock it, causing huge damage.

[@dannyfla27]

I just bought that model, thanks for posting this video! I do everything you recommend in this video. So far I love riding my ski every weekend here in FLA.

[@MagicByMyers]

Fluid Film suggestion noted. Added to my cart for purchase. Thank you!

[@NIPEBAY]

Gracias Captains por tu exhaustive explanation about who to performe clean and maintenance of the jky was very helpful for me Gracias once again

[@Homelesskateboards]

Hey great video I have a 2002 seadoo gtx di and just bought a 2011 waverunner I am always in salt water in Oceanside or mission bay. I'm glad someone put a video like this together !!

[@johnconstant8513]

Coming back in 2022! Great video

[@CaptainsAviation]

That's an awesome ski my friend! Fastest NA ski today! Wish you many hours of joy!

[@freeattic]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to make it. I just bought a couple VXR's and (so far) I actually enjoy cleaning them! Come to the Gulf Coast, if you do the maintainence on my ski's I'll show you the cool places to ride 'em!

[@suzannek7094]

thanks so much for the very informative video. I have followed your directions and hopefully my ski will last and be beautiful for years to come.

[@CaptainsAviation]

I would still flush it, however you do not need to wash inside the hull every single time you out there. Also I would still apply FF or silicone spray once every month if you ride often to keep the cables and rubber parts in good shape! You have a lot less work to do than us ocean riders! You can go home and flush it to get any debris out plus hard water can also build up in your cooling system so it is still a great idea to flush it! You don't need salt away either!

[@tysoncarswell4917]

Fantastically informative, logical, and clear. This video is a great resource, thank you!

[@beavermatic]

Awesome video... just bought a 2012 VXS, and using all methods you've stated after riding.

[@CaptainsAviation]

@dix0n001 Well, there are couple of things, your water pressure may not be high. Rev the throttle to about 3K for few seconds and let go and see if that helps for a more consistent water flow. I would not worry about it if you are not over heating when riding the ski. I bet its due to water pressure off the hose if you don't have any dirt/sand stuck in the hose. You can always disconnect that hose and blow some air through it, make sure it is clean! If it is then don't worry about it much!

[@yelberrah]

Thanks for this vid bro, I bought a Yamaha fx cruiser sho recently and your video has been a great help. I also bought the fluid film as you recommend and it's great! Greetings from curaçao.

[@freeattic]

I've watched this video at the start of waverunner riding season for four years. It's like the first Robin of spring! Thanks again man, two vxr's running like new using this process.

[@adidasandy1]

I would 100% buy a ski off you lol. I found this video very helpful as being new to jetskis. Thank you

[@CaptainsAviation]

@Aint1S Thanks for the kind words on the video. I never owned a superjet but I am very surprised they did not provide the flush adapter. If you are talking about the flush kit I used in this video that you need to buy, it never comes with the ski. Fluid Film stays a little moist. Since it does not have any detergent, it doesn't dry like let's say WD-40. You'll love Fluid Film once you use it!

[@CaptainsAviation]

Jack, it's better to be near dry not fully dry. If you are storing the PWC in a garage, I would recommend taking the seats off. Anything left moist will dry with air exposure.

[@denniswilder8370]

great video this works on most but do not get oil on your carbon seal on sea doos it will cav and not seal proper and it will make carbon seal wear prematurly the rest of the ski spray away

[@dix0n001]

ok thanx for your time and replys regards paul

[@CaptainsAviation]

Thanks for the kind words! Next video will be How to do an oil change for the FX HO up until 2009!

[@CaptainsAviation]

For lake, I don't think you will have any issues. If your primary riding area is lake and rivers and don't care much for gadgets, I would strongly recommend the Yamaha VSR or VXS. I rode one yesterday at Colorado river, 69 mph and NO Super Charger. Excellent gas mileage and reliability.

[@stephenreilly1471]

Also make sure to clean the trailor very well after salt water loads. This is very important

[@PerchPerkins007]

I usually dont like or comment......But that was one informative vid....5 stars

[@CaptainsAviation]

Lee, disconnect the hose to the pisser and the exhaust and blow some compressed air into it. Should be relatively easy. Make sure to clamp it back correctly, if you damaged the clamp, replace it. You dont want water shooting in your ski. Also take a look at the intake grate filter (screen) you may have to clean that as well. Did you go to shallow water with sand?

[@trashstomper]

Some say he’s still cleaning his ski to this day.

[@arian8985]

Cleaning his ski's up above... May he rest in peace

[@trashstomper]

@@arian8985 Dang, very sorry to hear this. I remember watching this video in 2012 before I got another ski, always so thankful for the video, as I would use it for reference all the time. Through the videos I could tell he was a good man. Rest in peace CaptainsAviation.

[@CaptainsAviation]

Congrats on the ski buddy! I would try to locate FF. Check ebay and Amazon. Or just call Kellsport. Kellsport may have the best price. As I mentioned it has no detergent so you wont have to worry about spraying it on the wires and rubber parts!

[@Metalunique]

Great tutorial. Thanx for sharing. I learned a lot from this.

[@GJM866]

Great information, thanks for posting!

[@CaptainsAviation]

No Chris but you need to take any water out of the bilge with seats off every time. Do not leave any water inside the bilge hull....Get a shop vac for this purpose. Spray it every week or two weeks...

[@johntheohioan257]

Thank you! Fluid Fm rules! Great advice

[@kylemeza2620]

Ron Swanson?

[@richieodonnell2712]

Ron Burgandy

[@JohnsonJLB]

Exactly! That's what I thought when I saw the thumbnail for the video. Would've been hilarious if he attempted an impression for the whole video.

[@asadkhan5737]

was just about the comment this

[@JonnyRichMusic]

Wow excellent video

[@CaptainsAviation]

The 4 season boat wax is great! Also if you rub Fluid Film it gives an awesome shine to the paint!

[@CaptainsAviation]

@PaulJordan318 @PaulJordan318 Paul, that's one heck of a ski for your first ski. You will have much fun with it! Make sure to maintain the supercharger per manual. I will do an oil change video later, that can save you some money by doing it yourself and also knowing that you did it right!

[@Straightbangin1979]

im buying a sea doo spark soon (my first wave runner ) so this helps. thanks!

[@Bally46]

You're buying a Seadoo and it's going to be your first Yamaha Waverunner? Think you mean your first PWC lol

[@centralcal6604]

Thank you my friend great video very informative

[@Bananabeachflorida]

Well Done vid , right to the point , very helpful! Thank you 👍🏻

[@vernonyow1509]

So glad I ride fresh water

[@CaptainsAviation]

Seadoo needs to be flushed just as much as any open cooling system. So answer is yes, people have the wrong impression of closed loop cooling system.

[@mikewulffy]

Very informative, Thanks for sharing.

[@ktmdays]

I was told you cant flush it out when the motor is out of the water and is hot wait untill the motor cools.down before flushing out and on the new ones only flush for 90 seconds 🤔🤔

[@Redrockat]

hey this is a great video that youtube reccomended . thanks for making this CaptainsAviation - i also subscribed and am looking forward to more great videos . i just love Yamaha -they great skis

[@teammarko124]

well done video

[@CaptainsAviation]

About 40 crossing a year. 2500 miles give or take. I may be starting taking people in good shape and PWC for a day out in the water. Have not decided yet but considering it.

[@cuv4xd]

If I buy another pre-owned ski, I want to buy from you! Good vid :)

[@lex4sex1]

Excellent and Informative, thanks.

[@dannis026]

great video and nice tips

[@mrooitooit]

No overheating. I can see the sand in the hole. Thanks for response. Water normally comes out pisser just like in your video and foam from Salt Away. I didn't see anything coming out. That's why I looked closer and seen sand completely clogging hole.

[@fragancia6036]

Great video dude 👍👍👍👍

[@hac6031]

oh.. and the extension for the aerosol spray comes with!

[@BadasDono]

Thank you. Great video.

[@gerardobaldoquin2845]

Thank you 👍👍

[@balsero17]

Thanks for the video it helps a lot.

[@CaptainsAviation]

You bet! Please let me know what you find! It can help other people with the same problem when they search youtube! Happy Riding!

[@M3bmwM3]

Thanks for the tip appreciate your video

[@subradiant_music]

I have the exact one just not cruiser. I HATE where they put the plugs haha

[@CaptainsAviation]

Use silicon spray and you should be good. If you want to use grease then use dielectric grease.

[@CaptainsAviation]

@mleetaylor Awesome! These Yamahas are awesome and last a long time if taken care of!

[@CaptainsAviation]

You bet if you are riding it in salt-water! Think of your inter-cooler as a closed loop radiator BUT lake/ocean water goes in/around the system to keep the inter-cooler fluid cool otherwise after a couple of minutes fluid in the closed loop system will get super hot and your engine will overheat!

[@richferranti13]

Nice gut and great tips. I am soon to become a new jetski owner. Never did any of this...

[@CaptainsAviation]

haha...I had heard of things like this. Glad you got it worked out :)

[@weslangdon8794]

thanks for all the info

[@tehsnipatres208]

Luckily I live in Michigan and use the Great Lakes. I know for a fact salt water can really mess up your skis if you don't take care of it. I will never run mine in salt water.

[@ktmdays]

It's going to be a pain but u got to do it they cost alot of money

[@CaptainsAviation]

rust or corrosion? Nothing really takes the rust off but if it is corrosion and you apply it a few times and let it sit, then you can kinda rub it off with a very fine sand paper! I'm assuming you are talking about exterior of the block or head!

[@CaptainsAviation]

Mike, go to GreenHulk . net there are ton of people with 2 stroke experience.

[@ottomendez2404]

Where do you flush your engine (inside)?. Do you wait until you get home or do you stop somewhere to do it?, (you said do the flushing asap) How many hours did you ride your PWC before you have to take it for an expensive repair?.

[@CaptainsAviation]

Warren, what kind of seadoo? A super charged one or NA? If you buy a supercharged ski, there will be more maintenance. But if you are going to ride in lake, your maintenance is a lot less.

[@luisworld911]

Very nice video I have two seadoo's 1997 GTX and a GTi I have about 30 HR of ocean use now I all ways flush and wash my ski and I use WD40 on mind Iam giing to try fluid film where can I buy this product I have down 3 Catalina trips Now and watch all you and other videos I and glad there's more people poesting videos I am still new to this but learning thanks cool videos.

[@CaptainsAviation]

Does it have learning mode? If you have to pull the trigger close to full before it revs high, then I would think it has 2 modes! I know the 2010 RXT-X had that and if you are not in sports mode, throttle feel lazy until you pull it all the way! If this is not the case and you have not had this problem before, I would replace the spark plugs, look for over filled oil (did you recently do an oil change?).

[@dix0n001]

hi its the port on the left hand near the front just under where u put your feet while riding it thanx for your fast reply

[@mustafasayed3648]

very much appreciated the education. however, if I am by the shore, can I use a few gallons of water to flush it? 2008, waverunner 1300 r.

[@Aint1S]

2011 Superjet doesn't have a factory flush kit. I have T's and hoses. But I'm unsure of where the best tie in point would actually be. Question on Fluid Film, what kind of fixture does it have when it dries? Great video!

[@droiddyman55]

Is there anything, like vinegar, that i can add to my frsh water flush to reduce calcium from water hardness?

[@jacodippenaar1523]

Good day. I am looking into a 2005 fx160HO with 220h on. It's spotless however what's your thoughts on the age...

[@odavila03]

Great video. I have a 2018 Yamaha vx deluxe if I go out for a few days fishing and don’t flush my wave runner, is it going to mess up my engine?

[@Abrahamf1467]

oscar davila It can, it’s better to take care of it now before you regret it

[@CaptainsAviation]

I'm not sure! If you are close to ocean, salt air and humidity will get to stuff! Having said that, I don't think it will work on Aluminum head!

[@ken808surf]

Thanks for the video! I live in hawaii and just bought two 09 wave runners. Needless to say its all ocean skiing. One question, not sure if water pressure is an important factor while flushing my skis. Ex; smaller diameter hose equals more pressure. Thanks

[@586jawtap]

Thanks so much

[@wisdomone4]

love the video. Got to know.

[@luispagan]

Great video, keep 'em coming. Where can I buy the long spray straw, and how it is called?

[@user-pg6jl7jw7s]

Have you ever cleaned your bilge pump screen? I'm afraid to take off the rubber strap that holds the cap on in fear that I wont get it back on. Let me know if you have done it and if there are any tricks to getting the rubber strap back on.

[@CaptainsAviation]

have done it many times and actually even replaced my bilge pumpv twice. nothing to be afraid of. it's a rubber band. stretch it to unhook it then strap it back on the hook. 2 min job. good luck.

[@luca2717]

Thanks captain tell

[@traviswagner9822]

when spraying the inside of the hull, should you unplug the battery. I just bought a 01 gtx and the engine is really dirty. I'm not going to need a vacuum, I'm just going to unscrew the drain plugs. but I'm really not sure if the battery needs to be disconnected

[@dix0n001]

hi my yamaha vx110 when flushing it the water only spits out the pisser pipe the front of the trailer in on the floor so i cant get it any lower will this be ok or is there a problem??? ive ran the ski for about 5 mins

[@benpoe1284]

Good info but he reminds me of that one guy off the movie supper troopers

[@aklsearider6725]

Hey there, mind if we post this video on our page? It's a very solid guide :)

[@danieltormo5128]

Very informative, however does spraying down the engine/interior hurt the engine at all? Are the electrical components affected? I always ride in saltwater, and I'm always skeptical whether or not to spray down the bilge. many thanks

[@CaptainsAviation]

If you use fluid film or silicone spray, it won't hurt your electrical components. I highly recommend it.

[@donniecahill5243]

something else to take into consideration, all yourself this question: would you rather have saltwater on it or freshwater? my answer is always gonna be freshwater. also all skis electronics are waterproof connections so you should not worry to wash the engine bay down with freshwater.

[@CaptainsAviation]

@dix0n001 If you are getting water coming off of that, it's great but you also have to have water coming from the back of the ski. Do you get water coming from the back of the ski or the port pisser is the only place you get water coming out? Sorry, I am still unsure what exactly the problem is.

[@CaptainsAviation]

Are you sure sand has gotten in there? water doesn't come out of the pisser if the pressure isn't high. Do you get over heat warning?

[@Metalunique]

Do u have anything on engine maintenance. cable lubing or pump care?

[@mrooitooit]

Yesterday I was flushing waverunner and noticed there was nothing coming out of pisser. Sand is clogged in it. I did not fix problem yet. Wanted any advise before I attempt to clean it out. Thank you.

[@dra353]

thanks i wasent sure

[@fdj6hw33]

What if u don't have access to a water hose can u use fresh water gallon jugs?

[@CaptainsAviation]

@dix0n001 Hi There, what do you mean by pisser pipe? You mean back of the ski where the jet nozzle is? You are not getting any water off the port (left) pisser?