I am a second year owner, and I have to try this my self. Hopefully I could do this on the spring of 2023. This was one of the best or probably the best tutorial I have seen on any YT channel. Thank you Sir this was very informative, interesting, and impressive.👍👍up
Everyone talking about this is overKill, ABSOLUTELY NOT, this is just how you are SUPPOSED to properly maintain your ski. Thank you 3ftDeep for this video. By far the best ski winterization video on youtube. Great job.
Thanks! We expected the negative comments, though as lots of people (including our friends) don’t want to put the work into the machine. That may be okay for a car that has all its failures on land, but when you take your machine out in the ocean for long rides …
@@3ftDeepChannel 100 percet. Plus the longevity of your machine and protecting your investment. Hell even for the possibly cutting my season short due to repairs bc of failed maintenance. Growing up my Father instilled taking car of my equipment and engines, and ive lived by that. To me working on my machines (motorcycles, cars, trucks, boat, skis, snowblower, lawnmower, powerwasher, generator etc etc etc) is therapeutic. I enjoy wrenching on them with a beer. And if something goes wrong, im more familiar with that machine and could diagnose and fix the problem myself. Any negative comments from doing a job the RIGHT way, are just from people too lazy to put that work in, but then complain when something goes wrong.
What a great video. I was able to go step by step through the entire process without any issue. Video was clear and technical enough for a first time owner to complete a winterization.
dsp4 just bought my 03 sea doo gtx supercharged and looked up what I have to do.....i'm putting it up for sale tommorrow this would probably cost every year what its worth used 😣
@@stopxthisxfall an older one not fuel injected? I have had some that lasted 10 years before I threw them into a gorge. Professionally I'd say rotax engines that are carburated will last a surprisingly long time if you rebuild the top end at the proper intervals written down in the service manual and you rebuild the carbs atleast every 3 years but take them apart before each season. As well as replace the tempo fuel lines. Service your jet pump and rebuild it every 3 years but service them and tear apart and inspect before each season. New ones? Well just asking that cost you a 2nd mortgage
First thing first, this video is very informative just like all the other videos in this channel. However, I think winterizing can be fairly simple if you add fuel stabilizer to a full tank of premium fuel then run 3 gallons of 50-50 antifreeze in a flush(without water) to get rid of any potential freezing water in the exhaust. This will also run the stabilized fuel through the engine to mix with other fuel that is not in the tank 2. Spray fogging oil in the carburetor for a second then stop then another second then stop until it chokes. Then spray the brp anti corrosion spray on your engine, IBR, Jet nozzle, water intake. Also connect your battery to a trickle charger.
Very beautiful machine, sir!! It's been 35 years since I was in a boat on a lake.. Maybe next summer, I'll get a machine like yours. I was going to get a normal boat, and have fun with Dad, and maybe my Sister and her family.. But he recently passed away. Anyway, great video!
I've been watching and enjoying your videos for several years now. Just wanted to say thank you for doing such a great job. I have the exact same machine as you do in the video. Your videos have given me the know how and confidence to do my own maintenance.
@@3ftDeepChannel Have you ever had to change the spark plug tubes on your gtr 215, because of oil collecting at base of spark plug well. Got any tips on where I could find some info on doing this job.
Yes. It's a very simple job. You need to remove the valve cover and the spark plugs and the spark plug pipe can just slide out. Before spending the $$ on new ones though, you may want to try using some liquid "engine gasket" to make a new seal around the lip. We did, and so far it's holding up. It's not as good as new tubes, but at USD $25 each, we felt it was worth a try. Good luck.
Thanks for a speedy reply. I just finished watching the video on valve spring replacement and saw what I needed to do. Looks pretty simple. I'm going to take it apart and try sealing it 1st. Will I need a valve cover gasket for this job? Did not see anything in video about it. Thanks again, your videos are very much appreciated.
Thank you for posting this detailed winterization video. Local shop wants $160 per hour plus parts to do this. I have mechanical abilities and can see this isn't to complicated. I was using marine grade stabilization treatment but i will give the other a try. Again this was a great video.
Love the attention to detail! Better to do more than less. Maintenance center visits are expensive for power sports. That PWC will last a very long time.
First and foremost I want to say this video helped save me $100's of dollars. I just bought my first ski (2016 GTI 130) and was pressured pretty hard by the dealer to ensure I bring it in for standard maintenance and winterization and was pretty much set on spending that money until I seen this video. Very thorough, very well thought out, and very informative. I am not a mechanic by any means and am able to perform these simple yearly tasks and again it has saved me a ton of money this year and many to come. I would like to say thank you on behalf of all of us who have received the same benefit. I am a little hesitant yet, to mess with the jet pump though. I do have one question if I may......I see you are using XPS Anti-Corrosive Lube for the fogging portion. I dont have that port like you do but I figured I would just take the plugs out spray the cylinders and Flood mode start the the engine a couple times, like I see others do. But I see that there is XPS fogging spray as well and I have seen some do that as well. Whats the difference between the two sprays as it seems they are very similar in nature and use?
That's a very good question. I'm not sure why they sell both for the same purpose, but both seem to get the job done and I've used both in the past. The most important thing is that the internal components get a light coat of oil so they don't corrode during storage. Glad to hear you're saving money with our videos ...that's the reason we make them. We appreciate your compliments; they certainly help to keep us motivated. As for the pump, that's a must. You need to check the impeller cover for water once a year, and unfortunately you need to remove the pump to do so. If water (especially salt water) gets in there, it'll destroy the internal components very quickly. It also indicates failure of one or more seals that will need addressing. Good luck, and thanks for your comment.
Stop thinking your professional mechanic neighbor will do shit for you just because of proximity or cheap. Or you'll end up beaten to death one day with a three foot pipe wrench. Unless said neighbor eats a half pound of meth every day. Then I'd say you must not really have a ski because he stole it
Great video. I would add though that the oil level needs to be between the 2 bends on the dip stick. I have seen so many overfilled ski's this past year where the oil is at the top of the bend or higher.
Love... it brings a tear to my eye! ;-) However I am surprised you didn't pull the jet pump to inspect the impeller, wear-ring and the drive shaft spines (I like to put a dab of marine grease inside the impeller drive socket before I put the pump back on, for good measure). You got the nozzle off already, four 11/16 nuts and 1 hose clamp and the entire pump comes right off. I'd also like to add that more than a few SeaDoo's have sank after the forward intake grate bolt came loose and fell out... the forward bolt hole on most year models goes clean thru to the inside of the hull! No bolt, probably no intake grate left (it'll snap off, you may not even realize it's gone) and water comes in thru the open bolt hole. A running engine will pull this water out continuously, but tie up to a dock and go grab lunch you may return to find the machine has sank after an hour or so (OEM water extraction only works when the pump is turning)! It's a good idea to check the intake grate bolts for tightness at this time too. If you ever remove the intake grate for any reason always clean and re-treat the bolts with blue loctite!
The process I went through on the video was the "official" annual maintenance. Although I don't pull the pump every year, I actually did take it off that same time, but in another video ("How to Replace Your Wear Ring"), and everything was in perfect shape (the Triple-Guard Grease was even still on the splines). I check the state of the impeller, wear ring, stators, etc. visually through the back and intake grate. But you're right, it's nothing to remove the pump once you've got it taken all apart like that. Not sure why so many people are concerned about the drive shaft splines. I've never seen a problem with them. Great suggestion, though! Thanks for your comment.
+3ftDeep: I've heard of some spline failures at the impeller end... haven't heard a good explanation why the spines failed, though. So I just like to check mine annually, looking for any signs of wear or corrosion and then packing a dab of fresh marine grease into the impeller socket (where the shaft spines go when the pump is put back on). It's also easier to inspect the wear ring and impeller blades for damage with the pump out. Also since mine is supercharged I pull the air intake off the supercharger reach in with fingers and check the impeller to make sure it doesn't turn easily... a free spinning supercharger impeller is a bad sign of something wrong! I would not be surprised if there's more than a few out there riding all summer long not realizing their supercharger isn't working anymore! It's a shame there isn't some kind of boost indicator led on the instrument cluster that lights up when the supercharger makes at least a minimal amount of boost pressure.... just to let the rider know it's actually functioning. That's all. Regards and excellent video I might add!
I agree with everything you did except fill fuel tank , I run mine to about 1/4 tank on my last run out and add enough stable in there for that , way I see it its better to add 3\4 tank of new gas in spring than to have a full tank of old in spring
The problem is with condensation of moisture from the air in the tank. Once it forms, it'll sink below the gas and could affect performance. That's why we fill the tank.
triple grease is a good product. im working in a Sea doo jet-center dealer so i know what im talking about, specially in salt water conditions . We are based in Mallorca
Triple-Guard Grease is definitely a must-have for Sea-Doo do-it-yourselfers. Seems like a cross between grease, sticky honey and wax. Pretty unique stuff, but seems to work incredibly well. Thanks for your comment.
I am mot even a jet ski owner (not yet) and I really like your hands on step by step Winterizing maintenance. I want to some day own one , first I want to lean how to maintain one ? Suggestions for a novice to be there ?
I suggest that if you're getting a used machine, get one no older than 5 years old and make sure there's no rust (that's a sign it wasn't well-maintained). I would also avoid machines with a supercharger and intercooler to begin with (in other words, machines 155 HP or less). They'll be less expensive to maintain, and give you an opportunity to learn on slightly simpler machines. Good luck!
Great video, really informative, and easy to understand, well done. One time I took my jet ski out of storage and discovered that mice / rats had nested inside it, and chewed through parts of the wiring harness. Since then I always leave a little rat poison inside (where pets or children cant reach) the hull when storing for any length of time.
Great video. You do things the right way. I have an ‘05 RXP 215 that I would like to winterize myself but I can’t find a specific video for my ski. Any suggestions? The dealer quoted me $300 for winterization & oil change but after reading so much about their shops not doing it right I’m not sure I can trust them.
That winterization process is very similar to that shown in the video. If you haven’t checked your jet pump in a while, you should look inside to make sure there’s no water intrusion. Also, I expect you’ve rebuilt your supercharger (at least once). If not, don’t start your engine again until it’s rebuilt. Good luck!
Hi again, I successfully winterized my 2015 GTX Limited edition last year THX to your detailed video. I also was inspired and build the cart. I wanted to know when you tilt the Sea-Doo over to drain the water in the bilge, how is it not sliding off the cart on to the floor? Once again, amazing video.
Glad to hear we could help. Please don't try to drain the bilge the way we did it. The only thing keeping it on was friction. If at all possible, tilt it up while it's tethered on the trailer. If it's already off, make sure it's tethered to the cart. Thanks for your comment.
Great video! I just changed my oil for the year and hoping you could help me better understand the process. In a car, I have always checked the engine oil level while the engine is cold. In this video it is recommended to start the engine for 30 seconds and then let it rest for 30 seconds then check the oil level. Is it necessary to do this? What are the advantages?
Hamilton Borden Sea-Doo has calibrated the dipstick range for a hot engine with the oil that's been allowed to settle for 30 seconds at the time of the reading. There's nothing magical about it; it's just their way of ensuring consistency and accuracy. Thanks for your comment.
Amazing detal, thanks for putting this together! Any suggestions/differences on a 2003 GTX 4Tec? No supercharger. Live in MN and first winter with these is coming, just purchased them well maintained from a family friend and only road them 15-20 hours this summer after a fresh oil change. They will be stored in the garage for the winter, although not heated garage.
Thanks for the kind words! Your older machine is essentially the same, but you don’t need to worry about a supercharger or intercooler as you don’t have either. Although you didn’t put much time on your machine since you bought it, I’d still change the oil and filter at the end of the season before storage. Also, make absolutely sure you completely fill the fuel tank and add fuel stabilizer before running the engine for a minute or so. Make sure you purge the exhaust with compressed air to get rid of as much water as possible. If you haven’t checked your pump out since you bought it, make sure you remove it, check the seals and check for any water intrusion (you’ll see a milkiness in the jet pump grease if there is water). If you can keep your garage from freezing (with a small space heater), that’s always advisable. Good luck and safe riding!
I'm looking to reset the computer for the engine. I don't have a single engine, I have a twin boat not PWC. I have already changed the oil, but the port engine is telling me it needs maintenance. Any help would be awesome! Also thank you for the step by step yearly maintenance on these boats. They are so fun and very expensive if you don't do it yourself. It is almost like changing a car engine oil. These engines last forever if they are well taken care of.
Unfortunately, there are only 2 ways I know of to eliminate the maintenance minder: 1) take it to the dealer to have it serviced; or 2) purchase a Candoo Pro (or similar) and clear it yourself. We use a Candoo Pro, but I'm not sure if it's available for boats. You should check out their website: candoopro.com. Thanks for your comment.
Great video, thanks. At 8m04s you mention the importance of inspecting for cover for water contamination. What steps should be take if an important amount of water leaks out when we remove the cone...? How do we find the source of the problem and what could be the fix?
The water can only leak in through two places: the impeller cover or the oil seal. As the impeller cover has two O-rings sealing the pump on that side, it's usually oil seal. Check both parts over thoroughly and look for any signs of damage, wear, or improper seating. If water is in the pump it's critical to remove it (especially salt water), and then pack with fresh grease. Replace the part that's allowing the water to enter. Don't delay, as I did with an older machine and the pump failed, came apart and caused water to pour into the engine. It left me stranded over night on an island (luckily they had a hotel). If both parts look okay but there is water in the pump, I'd replace the oil seal for sure, but check that the pump is not damaged or marked where the oil seal seats. Good luck!
I wish there was a way to search in the comments to see if someone has already asked the same question......but why fill the fuel tank right up?? Wouldn't it be better to drain it as much as possible so you can add fresh fuel in the spring?
That’s to avoid having any air in the tank during storage. Air has moisture in it and will tend to condense on the sides of the tank during storage and dribble down into the fuel. Since water is heavier than gas it will sink to the bottom and can cause problems for your fuel system.
Excellent turtorial - many thanks for your support! - Only one question . From the 7th minute, you are blowing out the remaining water with compressed air. According to the operating instructions, the motor should always be running so that no water damages the motor - can nothing be damaged by blowing in the compressed air and thus also the residual water, or do you have the motor running? Thank you ;-)
I have been researching about how much oil is actually removed & replaced. On the "how to" section of Greeenhulk forum, there is a detailed write up which mirrors this video (oil change part). One poster within the thread stated that although the 4-tec holds 4.5 QTs, that only ~ 3 QTs can be removed & replaced? Some claim 3.5 QTs. That sound right? If so, how is it that all the oil couldn't be removed?
That's right. I usually get about 3.5 QTs out. You can never get it all out, because all of the oil can't drain to where the end of the suction tube is. There's a great CG video showing the oil circulation in the Rotax 1503 engine to give you a better idea. I don't know where the original video came from, but it can be viewed here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-C7zDoIy_QqQ.html
hi there thanks for the detailed schooling on how to does the air in the water inlet remove all the water or is there always some still in there what is the thirts on salt away ?
If you get lots of light scratches on the bottom of the hull do you polish them out? I found polishing or waxing the underside made the ski handle differently.
We don’t normally polish them out, but yes waxing and polishing the underside of the vehicle can make a difference to how it rides, depending on the condition of the hull.
Excellent video. I reference it every Fall. Two quick questions: I have a 2023 Sea Doo GTX 170 - In order to get an accurate oil level reading, do I need to let the engine run for 30 seconds then stop the engine and wait 30 seconds? Or is it OK to check oil level when the engine is cold? Also, what is the maximum that people should run the ski on idle out of the water, without a hose flush adapter? Thank you!
The engine should be at least a bit warm, and have turned over for a minute or so to distribute the oil. The problem is the carbon ring will get hot quickly, and you want to avoid heating it up too much. So, it's a trade-off. Make sure you never run the engine more than a minute or two at a time. We usually wait 10 minutes or so between running to let the carbon ring cool. When you don't run a hose the exhaust will get very hot very quickly. We never run the machine more than about 15 seconds without a hose. Good luck.
Great video! I have always checked my car's oil when it is cold. Here it is recommended to let it run for 30 seconds then sit for 30 seconds then to check. Could you help me understand how that helps? What happens if you just check it cold?
Geo Sto I don't think it's possible to over-grease the pump. The shop manual says to add "23 ml ...in the (impeller) cover" (i.e. the cone), but I always add some into the pump, like in the video, and then add the rest of the greaser tube into the cone in the area nearest the pump. On my older Sea-Doo model it said to "fill up" the cone with grease. In my opinion, the more grease there is in there, the less water that can stick around to do damage. The part number of the grease is 293 550 032. Good luck!
Thank you for very valuable video! I would like to start blowing through the cooling system of my Waverunner which many people and service manuals recommends before longer time storage periods. What worries me is a possibility to blow remaining water from nooks and crannies and droplets from pipes and hoses of the system into the motor if an exhaust valve is open. Not even by just pushing it into the motor, but by dragging it with the air stream. Out of tens of videos on RU-vid, only one person addresses this. I can see you deal solely with Sea-Doos, but perhaps you could provide your thoughts on it. Is this possible? If yes, mostly in theory, or in practice as well?
Moisture is always in the air when riding so it’s always in the engine, so I wouldn’t worry about the air droplets that come in with the purging process. It’s highly-recommended though that you fog the cylinders to prevent corrosion in the cylinders. The pressure we use is the one stated in the Sea-Doo Service Manual for our machine, which is not enough to blow water into the engine through an exhaust port. As you’ve got a Yamaha, however, you need to follow the process specifically for your machine as they are different. Good luck with your winterization and thanks for your comment.
Thanks for quick and detailed response. Even much less pressure seems to me to be enough to blow water into the motor/engine through an open exhaust valve, but maybe air does not flow there choosing more open passage with less resistance. As to the Yamaha, strangely there is not a single word about purging or fogging in FX 2022/23 Service Manual, so I need to research it. @@3ftDeepChannel
Did you not run water through the exhaust when you were bringing the jetski up to temperature and when you held at 4000 rpm? Just wondering as I am about to attempt all this. Thanks.
The owners manual says to always run water through the exhaust when the engine is running out of water, but we find that it’s okay as long as it’s no longer than a minute or so at a time. So in other words, we haven’t had any issue with doing this, but you should run it with the hose.
I bought my first ski this year - an RXTX 300 (closed cooling). Regarding draining the exhaust, the dealer insists on antifreeze but the owner's manual and this video show just blowing out the exhaust. I'm frightened by the thought of freezing water damage. is it worth considering antifreeze? Great video.
It's your intercooler you need to worry most about. It has delicate internal components. If you expect the temperature to drop below freezing you need to deal with it. If you don't blow out all the water from it and it freezes, it can cause serious damage. That's why some people take the additional precaution of flushing with special antifreeze (see ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Grd6IwYpdo4.html). It's up to you to decide whether to do it or not. Good luck and thanks for your comment.
Antiseize on spark plugs? But it doesn't conduct. I'd be worried about a misfire. I put it on a battery terminal once. Figured it has copper on it should be good. Nope . No start. 10v drop from post to terminal. It's an insulator.
No doubt its a bunch of work, but this machine will last with that kind of care...good job man! Any advise on the 2016 scarab jet boat winterization process?? Same engine, supercharged 200 hp rotax with closed loop cooling...any advise would be great!!
Awesome detailed vid. As usual! :-) I’m surprised about the fuel part though. With fuel having some much ethanol would it be better to not have any fuel in the system ? Can stabil really last that long?
You could drain the system of fuel, but it really seems to work well to just add the stabilizer and let it run for a bit. I also make sure I use the best fuel possible (yes, it's a bit expensive but if I wanted to save $$ I wouldn't be riding a PWC), and the better fuels contain very little (if any) ethanol. The fuel stabilizer is good for the winter season, but I wouldn't keep it in there for more than a year. Also, I've seen fuel systems "gummed up" during storage, and it's thought to be the result of using way too much fuel stabilizer. So I recommend using the stabilizer when storing, and following the manufacturers recommendations carefully. I also recommend filling up your tank with fuel at the end of the season to make sure no water condenses in the tank, which is a harder problem to fix than most people make out. Thanks for your comment.
3ftDeep I happen to agree that fuel containers, of any kind, should always have some sort of stabilizer in them, and to be as full as is possible, if left alone for more than 3-5 weeks, if not being used on a regular basis, or day to day usage, ... if not for the fact of displacing moisture, but also because the newer “unleaded fuels are much more coarse, in nature, & are also somewhat caustic to the various kinds of containers we use to contain them, ... the “older” regular gasolines would fire, a sparkplug, even if it had gasoline that was 20 odd years old in the tank, ... but these newer fuels seem to lose their punch after only several weeks, & @ tops, perhaps a few months, at best, ... Years ago, when I was a kid, I could leave gasoline in a can, in the garage over the wintertimes, but not the stuff they make these days, ... seems to gum up a lawnmower carburetor on the quick, & turn into a syrupy lacquer taffy if you let it set like that, nowadays, ... I always empty the fuel tanks on every type of gas device, no matter if it is a concrete saw, weed wacker, chainsaw, lawnmower, & vice versa, for a snowthrower, & associated tools, ... put fresh fuel in them, right before I go to use them, ... saving me money, spent on having to either fix it myself, or taking it into a shop, ... & being the cheap sob that I am, I prefer to keep my money for other more important things, like beer, Rum, or Takillya, ... or did I mention beer?, Yeah, ... I like beer! Lmbo! The thing is, that it takes just a few minutes to empty the tank on any given machine, ... & I won’t use it for anything else, ... so I add it to my oilburner heater for the garage, ... just a bit at a time, ... Did I mention that I like, ...
Fantastic video, showing how to DIY the right way. Thanks!!! One question: what would you add/change if your ultimate winter storage result was to be ski left covered and tarp, outdoors, on trailer, in Northeast (NY Long Island, east end), subject to snow/ice/sub freezing temps. Sadly, building a shed isn't an option at this time. Thx!
The winterization steps take into account sub-freezing temperatures, however, if I was expecting temperatures that may near the freezing point of the antifreeze in the engine, I would consider draining the coolant over the winter. Also, I'd consider emptying all of the water out of the water box(es)/muffler. If you have a model with an intercooler, I'd make absolutely sure I purged it like in the video, and if it was an external kind and it was going to get very cold, I might also consider removing it for the winter. Good luck, and thanks for your comment!
Impressive I only have 12 hours on my new seadoo Gtx 130 do u think just a wash clean oil change plugs battery tender automatic maintenance is good enough
Yes, you wouldn’t have to do much on your machine. Make sure it’s washed and the oil and filter are changed. Also, make sure you have fuel stabilizer. Those are the main things for a machine with such low hours.
Well, I wouldn’t bother replacing them with only 12 hours on them. If it is going to be in storage for a while and especially if you’ve used it in salt water, you really should fog the engine. It’s so easy to do.
I was on a forum and came accross a service bulletin that you were supposed to dump antifreeze down the intercooler and manifold I believe ( maybe just the intercooler). Have you heard anything about this since this video? I can try and find the link again ifd you like
mgehrke20 Some people run antifreeze through the exhaust system at the end of the season, if the Sea-Doo is going to be stored in freezing temperatures. As some of that antifreeze will get into the intercooler, it would give it some protection against freezing and cracking. Chris does that. I like to purge the exhaust and intercooler system so there's no liquid to freeze (as in the video). I also store it in my garage, not outside. Thanks for your comment.
3ftDeep thanks for quick reply. Really like all your videos. Gonna save me alot of money doing all the maintenance stuff my self. Looking forward to some more.
Have you guys ever use a automotive suction tool that puts a vacuum in the cooling system. It removes all the air out then sucks in the coolant. I don’t know if I can use it on my 300 rxpx when I go to replace the coolant. Don’t want to damage any thing
Fair enough it’s just a way of not having to run, you know that carbon seal doesn’t like to run dry. Do you think it’s safe to use on a sea doo. I use it on a regular bases in the automotive world that I work in. Thanks again you guys are awesome as usual
I don’t see why you couldn’t use that system. I think the worst case scenario is that it wouldn’t do an effective job of draining the coolant. You should always bring extra (pre-mixed) coolant with you on your first ride after a flush anyway, so you can top it up in case it burps up some air during the ride. Good luck and thanks for the kind words.