How to Flush Your Jet Ski After Salt Water

Why flushing matters

Your jet ski pulls in the water it rides on to cool the engine and exhaust. When you're done, that salt water sits inside the passages and dries into crystals that cause corrosion, overheating and clogged cooling lines over time. Flushing replaces it with fresh water before it can do damage.

Before you start

• Find your flush port — usually near the back of the ski, on the side or under the seat (check your owner's manual for the exact spot).
• Use a standard garden hose with a flush adapter if your model needs one.
• Do it within an hour or two of riding, while the salt is still wet.

The golden rule: the order matters

On most open-loop skis (most Yamaha and Kawasaki models), the order is everything:

1. Start the engine first and let it idle.
2. Then turn the water on.
3. Let it run about 90 seconds — you'll see fresh water coming out of the outlets.
4. Turn the water off first, then rev it gently a couple of times to clear the water out.
5. Then shut the engine off.

Never run water through an open-loop engine that isn't running — the water has nowhere to go and can back up into the engine and flood it. That's one of the most expensive mistakes we see.

Many newer Sea-Doos use a closed-loop cooling system (sealed coolant, like a car), but their exhaust still gets salt water and still needs flushing. The procedure varies by model — check your owner's manual, or ask us and we'll show you on your next visit.

Finish the job

• Rinse the outside of the hull, the pump area and the trailer with fresh water.
• Spray the engine bay lightly with an anti-corrosion product (never on the belts or intake).
• Leave the seat open for a while so the engine bay can dry before you cover the ski.

Let us handle it

Every Jet Ski Doctor membership visit includes a flush and an anti-corrosion treatment — so even when you forget, your ski doesn't pay for it.

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