Serving DC Metropolitan area
PWC maintenance service in Virginia
Lean more about personal watercraft maintenance guide and tips. Download a checklist and estimate the cost.
Jet Ski Maintenance Services and Rates
Oil Change
How Often Should You Change Oil in a 4 Stroke Jet Ski?
Most PWC Manufacturers recommend changing oil on a four-stroke model PWC every 50 hours.
When to Do First Engine Oil Change on a New Jet Ski?
During the first 10-hour period a brand new jet ski is going through a break in period. Thus it’s important to perform the first oil change after these 10 hours. The reason is because a new engine has many micro metal particles that could damage it.
After changing the oil first time, you should repeat the procedure every 25 hours or every season (before summer). Such periodical oil replacement will help you to avoid serious costly problems with the engine in future.
Remember that you don’t completely change the oil in your engine. Only 40-60% of the old oil will be removed. The rest will stay and mix with the new oil.
When To Change Oil on a Used Older Jet Ski?
If you just bought a used jet ski, it also requires an oil change. It’s because you don’t know for sure whether the previous owner performed the oil change consistently and what kind of oil he used, the recommended oil or cheapest one on the market.
Tip
Most of the owners of a new PWC change oil according to Dealership’s recommendation to do it every 50h. It reduces the engine's life and causes people to come back to the dealer for more serious service and repairs.
Jet Ski Oil Change Price
$400 Oil and Spark Plugs included
Spark Plugs Change
How Often to Change Spark Plugs on PWC?
You should replace spark plugs every 25 hours or before the season.
Always use spark plugs recommended by your jet ski manufacturer. Do not experiment with different plugs, it won’t make your jet ski faster.
Wrong type of spark plugs or if you use old ones, including rusted and bent plugs, can cause engine failure.
Each spark plug has its own heat and pressure range. Temperature range is displayed on a plug.
Tip
The condition of a spark plug can say a lot about the engine and fuel mixture. This additional information can be used during the diagnostic. So, If you purchased a used PWC, do not replace plugs just yet, bring it as is for the diagnostic.
Compression Check
Jet Ski Engine Compression Test
Engine compression is an integral part of the combustion chamber process. Reduced compression reduces engine power. And this may indicate an engine malfunction. If the cause is not eliminated in a timely manner, then more serious consequences for the engine may appear. Including motor failure.
It’s recommended to perform during spark plugs change or full diagnostic.
Price
$100
Fuel System
If you have not used jetski for a long time, then the gasoline begins to stratify and absorbs moisture. As a result, the engine does not work well on such fuel. There are missfirings in the ignition, unstable idling, increased load on the fuel pump. It is recommended to use a fuel stabilizer before long storage. The gas tank must be full to avoid the ingress of moisture from the air. If gasoline has not been used for more than a year, it is recommended to completely replace it with fresh gas.
Before winter fill it up with ethanol free gas. It’s more expensive but it will prevent problems with fuel system.
Carburetor Rebuilt
The carburetor needs to be rebuilt after a long period of inactivity. Once every two to three seasons with normal exploitation. If you use pre-mix – every year. Because gaskets are made to function in gasoline. And wnen you change chemical mixture, gaskets tend to go bad (get hard from oil). Use only original gaskets. The main cost of rebuilding the carburetor is the work of removing and replacing the gaskets. If you save money and deliver low-quality gaskets, you will have to pay twice. Because poor quality gaskets fall apart.
Most of the carburator engines made before 2005. It’s more than 15 years past so fuel lines go bad and falling apart and cloth the carb. It’s best to replace all fuel lines for new ones.
Fuel Injected
During a long storage period, the fuel pump begins to fail. Replacement of the fuel pump is made for original or suitable fuel pump. Because if the fuel pump is selected incorrectly, it will heat up, not give out nominal pressure or overheat the electronics that control it.
Fuel pressure measurements performed during the diagnostic
Fuel Filter
Must be replaced every 2-3 seasons during normal explanation or after sitting for a long time.
Fuel injectors
Must be periodically cleaned or replaced.
Winterize / unwinterize
$300 for 2 stroke. Includes: Spark Plug replacement, flashing, fogging, lube, inspection. $500 for 4 stroke. Includes: oil change, spark plugs replacement, cooling system flashing.
Frequently Asked Questions
About PWC Maintenance Services
What Type of Oil Does a Jet Ski Use?
2 Stroke Jet Skis use 2 stroke oil.
Guess which oil should be used for a 4-stroke jet ski. hahaha You got it, 4 stroke.
While it may be obvious for some people, I still meet individuals who put motorcycle four-stroke oil to their PWCs. Which rapidly kills the motor.
The answer is only use the oil which is recommended by the manufacturer for this particular model. No acceptations! Read the f Manual.
How often should you change the oil in a jet ski?
4-stroke jet skis require to change oil every 25 hours or 6-months period.
If you use it less than 25h every season, I recommend to change the oil before the season starts.
How to check compression on a jet ski?
Compression is checked on a hot engine with all spark plugs removed. The engine should be warmed up by starting it for 30 seconds without cooling. After that perform the compression test with a pressure gauge.
Shall I Change My 2 Stroke to Premix?
In most cases NO, don’t do it. Unless it’s a stand up jet ski or it does not have a variable oil pump, direct injection, or you rebuild your carb every season (which I doubt you do).
I have a blog post dedicated to this topic so read it for details.
How often should a Jet Ski be serviced?
Twice a year: one time before the season and one time to winterize after the season.
What kind of battery does a jet ski use?
Different batteries are used for different jet ski models.
In general they are not limited on capacity but limited by the size of the battery box. So just don’t buy one that won’t fit and pay attention to polarity so you don’t plug it opposite.
Any type of battery will be good for PWC, from lead acid to lithium-ion.
Is salt water bad for jet skis?
No. Reckless people who don’t flush jet ski after salt water are bad for jet ski.
It’s a good practice to flash the motor with a garden hose and also wash the engine compartment. Leave the seat open to let it dry.
Small coat of fogging oil will prevent your motor from rusting and corrosion.
Is it bad to leave a jet ski in the water?
Yes. However, you can use a floating dock to store your PWC on a water safely.
How often should you change Jet Ski spark plugs?
Every season. And always keep a spare new spark plugs with you on water.
This is not something to which you want to save. Spark plugs cost around $2.5-$10 a piece. A new engine may cost $2,000-$4,000. When an old spark plug falls apart its ceramic particles get inside the combustion chamber and destroy the engine.
Are jet skis high maintenance?
No. Typically jet skis only require maintenance service twice a year. However, everything depends on how you use it.
Download Jet Ski Maintenance Checklist Form
Free PDF eForm you can fill out the table for a full diagnostic with guidelines and tips.
Jet Ski resources