Running in fresh water a substitute for flushing?

[jcross312]

Hey everybody. I was wondering, if I ran my seadoo in fresh water for an hour or so, would that be a substitute for flushing the engine? I occasionaly run it in salt water and am trying to figure out the best way to flush it out. Thanks in advance.

 

[ryan199358]

Fresh water can still cause scale build up, and still can pump debris through the cooling system. The scale can eventually clog a passage. Fresh water is better than salt water, but you should still use a hose to flush. It's the safest method.

 

[96spxpos]

Yea, you'll always wanna flush it on a hose AND hose off any salt from the body as well.. Plus, the hour you spend in gas, time launching and loading, driving, etc makes no sense when you can flush, wash and fog the entire ski and motor in under 30 minutes

 

[jcross312]

Ok, cool. Thats what I wanted to know. Im still pretty new to all of this. Thanks. Do I need to hose off the engine too?

 

[ryan199358]

I wouldn't. I don't want to risk getting any water in my motor. A spray down with way overpriced bombardier lube, or wd-40 works great.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I feel under normal circumstances just a few minutes of freshwater operation provides an adequate salt flush. If your cooling system is clogged or partially blocked with debris, a reverse hose flush can help avoid/dislodge the "log jam".

Periodically confirm your block drain runs freely and monitor for signs of cooling system blockage.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

My post ride prep sure as hell doesn't take 30 minutes, more like 8.

Yes, the hose is fine, and recommended, but when I run the fresh lakes or up river, Half of the time I don't bother flushing, just brap it and clear out the waterbox. I ride pretty much weekly which factors in.

I ride in salt ALL the time and when the opportunity presents itself, I'll run 10 miles run up the lake/river just for kicks and get the benefit of a flush, call it a day.

I usually stop at the car was and run $2.00 in to hose down ski/trailer let it air dry on the way home, sponge out the footwells, no water on the engine, CRC6-56 for sure... I buy a gallon of that and spray bottle the entire engine after every salt use, it still looks brand new and its 10 yrs old. Then just a 1-3 minute flush, I don't get carried away.

If your going to let it sit a month, then a good hose flush is a good idea. If I'm riding next week, and rode fresh, I don't always bother

 

[Coastiejoe]

I rode in Lake Erie for 40 years, I had NEVER flushed after a ride. I did use the flush system in some cases to winterize the ski. That said, if you are in salt water now, the external components are as important as the internal. I feel confident that you can flush via fresh water with no issues. But you will need to do the outside of the engine and what not...