Sea-Doo - Yamaha - Kawasaki -
Jet Ski & PWC Maintenance Guide
Yamaha • Sea-Doo • Kawasaki
Personal Watercraft Maintenance Overview
Baseline across Yamaha, Sea-Doo, and Kawasaki: full service every 50 hours or 12 months. After every use: flush, rinse, remove seats, spray the engine bay underneath, and coat metals/connectors with anti-corrosive (WD-40/CRC). Saltwater units need extra attention.
Key Points
- Cooling: Open-loop → flush ~3 minutes at idle after every ride
- Cadence: Full service at 50 hrs or 12 months
- Post-ride: Remove seats, spray engine bay, apply anti-corrosive to metal and connectors
Service Cadence
- Oil + filter, spark plugs, battery load test
- Pump/impeller inspection, reverse/trim test
- Corrosion protection and report of findings
Pre-Ride Checklist
- Fuel level + reserve plan
- Oil within range
- Battery secure/charged
- Drain plugs in; hull/intake clear
Post-Ride Care
- Flush cooling system ~3 min at idle
- Rinse hull + engine bay (low pressure)
- Spray engine bay; coat metals/connectors
Engine, Oil, & Cooling
- Engine oil and OEM-grade filter
- Spark plug inspection/replacement
- Cooling passage check and flush
- Exhaust and hose clamp torque check
Fuel & Electrical
- Fuel lines/clamps inspection
- Conditioner on request
- Battery load test and charge health
- Connector corrosion-proofing
Pump & Hull
- Impeller wear check; debris removal
- Reverse/trim actuation test
- Hull, mats, and hardware inspection
Documentation
- Service report with findings
- Parts list and next-due schedule
Saltwater Corrosion Playbook
- Rinse exterior and trailer with fresh water
- Gently rinse engine bay; air-dry
- Spray protectant on metals/connectors
- Flush cooling passages after each ride
Extended Storage
- Change oil + filter before storage
- Stabilize fuel and run through system
- Dry hull; elevate bow
- Cover or shrink-wrap; check monthly
Flush & Protect
Rinse, flush, corrosion spray, battery check.
Annual Service
Full 50-hour/12-month service with documentation.
Pre-Sale Ready
Inspection, detailing, and resale report.
FAQ
Flush after freshwater use?
Yes. All water carries contaminants. Flush ~3 minutes after every ride.
Why 50 hrs or 12 months?
Balances run-time wear with calendar-time corrosion risk.
Key Points
- Cooling: Closed-loop for the engine, but exhaust and intercooler see raw water → flush after every ride
- BUDS reset: Required after annual service
- Cadence: Full service at 50 hrs or 12 months
- Post-ride: Remove seats, spray engine bay, anti-corrosive on metals/connectors
Service Cadence
- Oil + filter, spark plugs, battery load test
- Pump/impeller inspection; reverse/trim test
- BUDS service interval reset
Pre-Ride Checklist
- Fuel level + reserve plan
- Oil within range
- Battery secure/charged
- Drain plugs in; hull/intake clear
Post-Ride Care
- Flush system ~3 min at idle
- Rinse hull + engine bay (low pressure)
- Spray engine bay; coat metals/connectors
Engine, Oil, & Cooling
- Oil and filter service
- Spark plugs inspection/replacement
- Closed-loop coolant checks per manual
- Exhaust/intercooler flush focus
Fuel & Electrical
- Fuel lines/clamps inspection
- Battery load test and charge health
- Connector corrosion-proofing
Pump & Hull
- Impeller wear check; debris removal
- Reverse/trim actuation test
- Hull, mats, and hardware inspection
Documentation
- Service report with findings
- BUDS reset confirmation
Saltwater Corrosion Playbook
- Rinse exterior and trailer with fresh water
- Gently rinse engine bay; air-dry
- Spray protectant on metals/connectors
- Flush thoroughly after each ride
Extended Storage
- Oil + filter before storage
- Stabilize fuel; run through system
- Dry hull; elevate bow
- Cover or shrink-wrap; check monthly
Flush & Protect
Rinse, flush, corrosion spray, battery check.
Annual Service + BUDS
Full annual service plus BUDS interval reset.
Pre-Sale Ready
Inspection, detailing, and resale report.
FAQ
Closed-loop means no flush?
No. The engine is closed-loop but the exhaust and intercooler (if fitted) see raw water. Flush after every ride.
What is BUDS?
Sea-Doo diagnostic software used to reset service intervals and log maintenance.
Key Points
- Cooling: Open-loop → flush ~3 minutes at idle after every ride
- Cadence: Full service at 50 hrs or 12 months
- Supercharged: Belt inspection and precise oil-level checks per manual
- Post-ride: Remove seats, spray engine bay, anti-corrosive on metals/connectors
Service Cadence
- Oil + filter, spark plugs, battery load test
- Pump/impeller inspection; reverse/trim test
- Corrosion protection and documentation
Pre-Ride Checklist
- Fuel level + reserve plan
- Oil within range
- Battery secure/charged
- Drain plugs in; hull/intake clear
Post-Ride Care
- Flush cooling system ~3 min at idle
- Rinse hull + engine bay (low pressure)
- Spray engine bay; coat metals/connectors
Engine, Oil, & Cooling
- Engine oil and OEM-grade filter
- Spark plug inspection/replacement
- Cooling passage check and flush
- Exhaust and hose clamp torque check
Fuel & Electrical
- Fuel lines/clamps inspection
- Battery load test and charge health
- Connector corrosion-proofing
Pump & Hull
- Impeller wear check; debris removal
- Reverse/trim actuation test
- Hull, mats, and hardware inspection
Documentation
- Service report with findings
- Parts list and next-due schedule
Saltwater Corrosion Playbook
- Rinse exterior and trailer with fresh water
- Gently rinse engine bay; air-dry
- Spray protectant on metals/connectors
- Flush cooling passages after each ride
Extended Storage
- Change oil + filter before storage
- Stabilize fuel and run through system
- Dry hull; elevate bow
- Cover or shrink-wrap; check monthly
Flush & Protect
Rinse, flush, corrosion spray, battery check.
Annual Service
Full 50-hour/12-month service with documentation.
Pre-Sale Ready
Inspection, detailing, and resale report.
FAQ
Flush after freshwater use?
Yes. Always flush. Fresh water still carries contaminants.
Supercharged service?
Include belt inspection and precise oil-level checks per model manual.