Running motor after trailering

[stripesace]

May be a newbie question but after I pull my 09 GTI out of the water and pull my plugs out, should I run the motor a few seconds to finish pumping any water out of the system? The reason I ask is because whenever I pull up to the launch, and before I leave the house I always hit the start stop button to make sure the motor will turn over and inevitably water comes out from somewhere. I haven't been to the lake since Sunday so it's been sitting in the driveway. Am I good just to throw it on the trailer and tow it to the house? Or should I run it for a second and let all the water spit out. Dealer didn't mention anything about doing this when I picked it up and he gave a pretty thorough walk through on what to do, etc.

while i'm on the topic, if I were to take this to the beach, where do I flush out when I take it out of the water?

 

[birkoff]

I would also like to know what is the recommendation! Thanks...
B

 

[MooF]

There are mixed opinions on this topic. Running it for a few seconds after pulling out of the water is recommended by many enthusiasts, but it's not mentioned in the Guide.
Doing a test run before entering the water is recommended so you are not stranded if your craft should not start.

In any case, it doesn't hurt to run it to release any excess water. If running in salt water you know you have to flush it afterwards?...and also recommended for fresh water since its never pure - but I'm sure less folks worry about doing that if not running in salt.

 

[JJinSC]

My opinion

You will never get all of the water out of exhaust system by running it. There will always be some residual water left in there. Pulling the plugs have no affect on that and only deals with if you have ingested water into the engine. If you have done this then the engine probably wouldn't be running. Therefore, If you have been running in fresh water (not brackish or salt) don't worry about it. If you have been running in brackish or salt water, then you need to launch it somewhere in fresh water and run for a while to flush and/or hook it up to the hose to backflush the system. Also you will need to spray out and fog the engine compartment and hull and lube everything down.

Just my opinion or .02

 

[scooper77515]

When I got my XP, it was leaking from the two bung holes on the bottom of the exhaust pipe. So I pulled it out, and was AMAZED at how much of the aluminum had deteriorated from water sitting in the bottom.

I drilled and tapped the bungs, stuck in a stainless bolt, JB Welded it in and covered the hole from the inside.

Now I ALWAYS give it a couple good bursts when it is on the trailer, still on the ramp incline. Just to get as much of the water out as I can. Just that much less water eating at the exhaust pipe.

 

[dewmeister]

If you go in salt water, use a good salt water flush chemical such as "Salt Terminator". Overton's sells it online and make sure you buy the Salt Terminator mixer/dispenser. Makes it real easy to flush your engine.

 

[05GTXSC]

The 09 GTI have the closed loop cooling system don't they so I don't under stand why there is any need to.

 

[dlowings]

This is a very good question, yes it is a closed loop system on the newer ones but you still have water in the pump.. I have seen what water does to the pump and it is not good. I only put mine in fresh water but I still think if left un attended it may damage the aluminum. Would running it for a few inuets cause any damage to the super charger ?

Also on my older skis I use to put lube in one of the drive shaft zirks, with the newer ones I dont see where that is possable so I kind of wonder about that as well.

 

[stripesace]

By plugs I meant bilge plugs on the back of the craft. Smith Lake is the 2nd cleanest lake in america so its pretty clean. What made me ask this was last Sunday when I got to the launch, I fired it up for 3 seconds, and water was coming out of the pump... Which led me to ask, should I do this for 5-6 seconds when I pull it out of the water before it sits in the driveway for the week?

 

[JJinSC]

By plugs I meant bilge plugs on the back of the craft. Smith Lake is the 2nd cleanest lake in america so its pretty clean. What made me ask this was last Sunday when I got to the launch, I fired it up for 3 seconds, and water was coming out of the pump... Which led me to ask, should I do this for 5-6 seconds when I pull it out of the water before it sits in the driveway for the week?

My bad, for some reason I was thinking spark plugs. I don't think it will hurt anything to run for a few minutes on the trailer.

 

[mjfarrell2]

The 09 GTI's do have a closed loop cooling system which uses antifreeze to cool the engine. No flushing is required, however, the exhaust is cooled by the lake water. Some water does not drain all the way out, so it doesn't hurt to start the engine when you pull it out of the water to help get some of the water out of the exhaust.

I always start my seadoo before I launch and after I pull it out of the water, just a habit.

 

[MooF]

The 09 GTI's do have a closed loop cooling system which uses antifreeze to cool the engine. No flushing is required, however, the exhaust is cooled by the lake water. Some water does not drain all the way out, so it doesn't hurt to start the engine when you pull it out of the water to help get some of the water out of the exhaust.

I always start my seadoo before I launch and after I pull it out of the water, just a habit.

+1
Closed loop cooling is for engine only, the exhaust still receives water from the lake.
So, to the original post, no matter how 'clean' a lake is labelled it doesn't refer to sticks/rocks and debris. Clean ratings are based on pollution, not debris. In fact, the 'healthier' a lake is, the more algae and other types of natural debris occur in those types of lakes... If a lake is clear and you can see through to the bottom like a pool, its not necessarily clean, just dead.

 

[scooper77515]

And do not run if for a couple minutes on the trailer without hooking it up to a hose. I don't run mine for more than 5-10 SECONDS, if that. I just light it up and rev it 2 times to blow the water out, and kill it. It is not being cooled while on the trailer, and if the engine is already hot from driving it, you don't want to run it too long and make it hotter.

 

[MooF]

^^ +1
The guide goes into details about not running it more than a few secs w/o water source. Closed cooling or not.