Super Jet If you don't ride your ski for long time, will htere be any problem to the engine?

Sometimes weather, work, girlfriend, vacation getaway cause you not to have time to ride your ski. Does the ski need to be started regulary? or will there be any problems to the engine, ignition....etc?
 
Its always nice to run it often but as long as your storing it properly it shouldnt be a huge issue. I suppose it depends on the time frame youre talking about not using it for too
I leave my skis sitting for weeks at a time and the only problems ive had are batteries.
 
Location
dfw
The key to good storage is in getting all the water out and starting it every month or two to keep the carbs in shape. I have found corrosion to be the number one issue with skis because the owners store them wet and never do a lengthy blow out. Any water in the tank will end up sitting in the carbs and make a big mess. It doesn't take long for cylinders and cranks to rust. Very few people stay in the sport long enough to figure it out.
 
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LBE

Eddie Would Go.
Location
Charlotte, NC
They break when you ride and they break when you don't ride.

I start mine regularly and store with the hood off so it stays dry. That said, I tried to ride 2 weeks ago, started good, but would not rev out in the water. Turns out one of my needles was frozen shut.
 

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
Every time I store a good battery for the winter, it's still good at the end of the winter and won't even take a charge. I fill up my tank at the end of every ride (if I have enough) and charge the battery because I have total loss. Then I crack the hood so all the condensation doesn't build up as bad because I leave mine outside. If it's warm, you'll be fine. Go ride as if you rode last weekend. If it's cold and you left it outside to freeze, you may have some serious issues if too much water was left in the engine.
 

Buckwild12

I'm moved by DASA power!
X2 you have to store it with the hood off! Also if you are going to leave them for a length of time, I have found that putting a few mothballs in the ski help keep the rodents away, we have a rodent problem at out lake house, Ive had mice eat up all my fuel lines before, it was fun to play whack a mole throughout the ski trying to kill them though.
 
I think fogging the engine is always a good idea. I do it every winter before I put it away for the season and have not had any rust problems yet.
 

JHD

Site Supporter
Location
Colorado
I get just about 3 months of riding a year. Cold water and wet suits are not my idea of fun. I follow the manual for storing it and I've never had a problem. I drain all the gas from the tank and carbs, lube everything, put an oz of oil in each cylinder and turn it over a few times. I always shop vac and dry after each ride. Before I close everything up for the winter I let them dry with the hood off for about a month. I also live in a very dry climate and keep them inside a heated garage.
 
Talk to Matt S (Providers?) about the shop vac in a ski. Fuel fumes in the hull+shop vac electric motor= big fire and a burnt down house

Be careful.



somethings not right about that....either he had major fuel leak or left something out of the story





vacc'ing the hull out even with fuel in the bilge shouldnt be a problem...........ive done it many times with no issue



it used to trip me out beyond belife that my buddy bill woudl work on the fuel system with a ciggy in his mouth ALL the time..
 

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
Eh, no - that's not hard to believe at all.
Any fuel fumes can be ignited by electrics that are not rated intrinsically safe. Fuel fumes are extremely flammable. Vacuums generate a lot of static electricity. The electric motors inside them throw plenty of sparks.
Most of the time, nothing happens. But the potential is there, and it does happen every now and then.

(I sort of used to work within that field)
 

JHD

Site Supporter
Location
Colorado
Point taken but I will continue to do it unless someone has a better way of getting the water out. I've tried rags but just can't get it all. If I just leave it open to dry it will stay wet all summer.

If I burn the house down I'll let you know so you can give me the "I told you so"
 
Location
dfw
I dont see a problem with a vacuum unless you are really dumb and try to clean up straight gas. Leaving the hood propped up just 1/2" will evaporate about a quart of water in a week depending on the humidity.
 

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
FYI, I was commenting on the danger with straight gas. I would have no hesitations doing this with water.
 

FreestyleFreak

Region 7 AM Freestyle
Location
615
I just have a big sponge that i use to get it all out after every ride,then roll it into the garage and leave the hood off.
 
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