Preparing Your WaveRunner for the Summer

When spring finally turns into summer, it’s time to dust off the WaveRunner and once again head back to the water. Before getting to the fun part, there are a few de-winterizing steps you need to take to ensure your PWC is ready to go. When you rush out to the lake or ocean without checking areas like the exhaust or cooling lines, you could seriously damage your WaveRunner. Here is a basic procedure guide to keep on hand as you prepare your PWC for the summer season.

1. Initial Visual Examination: Pull your WaveRunner to a well-ventilated and lit area like your driveway or your garage if it offers enough light. Do NOT carry out inspections of your PWC in closed spaces, as breathing in fumes from them can be extremely deadly. Remove the cover on the PWC and then the engine cover to check for easy-to-spot issues. Look all around the WaveRunner for cracks and other damage that wasn’t present when you stored it. Check your exhaust and engine outlets as well, since small animals often times use these spaces during the winter.

2. Hoses: It’s important to ensure your hoses are free of cracks, as cold weather is a common culprit of damage to rubber and plastic hosing. During this step, check your PWC’s steering and throttle cables as well. These may need to be lubed if the throttle feels tight when squeezed. Take time to tighten all the nuts, screws, and bolts that seem loose.

3. Battery Check: If the battery was left in the WaveRunner while in storage, it will need to be fully charged. Check over the connections and terminals to ensure they’re in working order and clean. If you took the battery out instead, you may only need to check the water levels in the cells if applicable. The terminals and connections should be checked in this instance as well.

4. Fittings: Do your fittings need to be greased? Check your owner’s manual to see which ones need to be greased.

5. Spark Plugs: Remove your spark plugs to inspect the electrodes. Clean them if they’re dirty, and ensure the wires are in good condition. If they’re not up to par, replace them right away.

6. Finishing Up: Fuel and Oil: When you prepared your PWC for storage, you probably added a fuel stabilizer to your fuel. However, if you didn’t, you don’t need to fret. Drain the leftover fuel and dispose of it properly. Do the same with the engine oil if any is left in your reservoir and replace it.

7. Additional Areas to Check on Your WaveRunner: You can check the bilge for obstructions by flushing the lines out. We also recommend that you purchase a flush kit if you don’t already have one. These help keep your WaveRunner’s engine in solid condition. Once the kit is installed, you’ll start your PWC and turn on the water to keep water from getting into the engine and exhaust. Flush for about 5 minutes and vary the water flow via the throttle. If you see excess smoke from the exhaust, that’s just oil burning off and not an issue. Before turning off the water, power down the PWC. Start it back up when you’re finished flushing so any excess water is forced out.

It’s also important to check up on your safety gear and PWC accessories are good to go. Ensure your license and registration are up to date. Have the fire extinguisher checked to see if it’s still fully charged. It’s also a great idea to inspect your trailer before loading up your PWC.

Running through this guide will take some time, but it will pay off when you have little to no issues with your PWC this summer!