SXR SXR maintenance
- Thread starter veeti4d
- Start date
- Location
- La Crosse, WI on the BIG River
I would get a compression gauge and check your engine right now, so you know the numbers to begin with.
The best maintenance is not letting your ski sit, ride it weekly when possible. Don't run ethanol gas. If you do, use a stabilizer.
The SXR Service Manual should be in the listings on this forum. It lists routine maintenance.
Does it have any mods already? What is your type of riding planned? Freeride, racing, lake, surf?
I have a 2011 SXR that I ride all the time. Been doing maintenance on it this spring. I got 1200 hours on my first engine. Take care of them and they last.
Things I've noticed:
1. Steering loose or too tight? Check for loose connections or a steering cable on the way out. I've broken two stockers and one HD cable thus far.
2. Throttle Cable might be splintering at the carb hookup, I'd double check that.
3. Glue down your rubber gunwale bumpers before they peel up and tear.
4. Check the gap in your impeller/pump wear ring. If it's out of spec send your impeller in to get remanned.
5. Grease the driveshaft spines really good when you take the pump out next. They're notorious for losing the grease.
6. The Stock SXR Steering is a weak point. I was very happy to go to the RRP setup. Zero issues, zero slop.
7. Check all of your engine bolts with a torque wrench. The studs with Acorn nuts on them are the most important(head and jugs).
8. If you have a stock handle pole, check it for cracks near the chin pad. They all eventually crack .
Easy mods/changes:
1. Jump the temp sensor for a free 6 degree timing boost.
2. Block the front breather hole with a metal plate and cut open a second rear breather in the hood. You'll get almost zero water in the hull now.
3. Put a versi plug in the drain plug hole. Now you have a ski with a scupper system, just like the pros. I had a bilge pump, but it never pumped anything, removed it.
The best maintenance is not letting your ski sit, ride it weekly when possible. Don't run ethanol gas. If you do, use a stabilizer.
The SXR Service Manual should be in the listings on this forum. It lists routine maintenance.
Does it have any mods already? What is your type of riding planned? Freeride, racing, lake, surf?
I have a 2011 SXR that I ride all the time. Been doing maintenance on it this spring. I got 1200 hours on my first engine. Take care of them and they last.
Things I've noticed:
1. Steering loose or too tight? Check for loose connections or a steering cable on the way out. I've broken two stockers and one HD cable thus far.
2. Throttle Cable might be splintering at the carb hookup, I'd double check that.
3. Glue down your rubber gunwale bumpers before they peel up and tear.
4. Check the gap in your impeller/pump wear ring. If it's out of spec send your impeller in to get remanned.
5. Grease the driveshaft spines really good when you take the pump out next. They're notorious for losing the grease.
6. The Stock SXR Steering is a weak point. I was very happy to go to the RRP setup. Zero issues, zero slop.
7. Check all of your engine bolts with a torque wrench. The studs with Acorn nuts on them are the most important(head and jugs).
8. If you have a stock handle pole, check it for cracks near the chin pad. They all eventually crack .
Easy mods/changes:
1. Jump the temp sensor for a free 6 degree timing boost.
2. Block the front breather hole with a metal plate and cut open a second rear breather in the hood. You'll get almost zero water in the hull now.
3. Put a versi plug in the drain plug hole. Now you have a ski with a scupper system, just like the pros. I had a bilge pump, but it never pumped anything, removed it.
The biggest problem I see is people putting them away wet. Make sure the engine compartment is completely dry before latching the hood and letting it sit. I keep mine in a garage and prop open the hood an inch. Also start the engine when you get home for a second blowing out. Rust and corrosion is the silent killer.
- Location
- California
Yes, and fog the engine when putting it away.
Thanks so much! It seems that you know thing or two about sxr! I do have RRP pole & steering (thankgod), it is so good versus orginal.
What you mean jumping temp sensor? Is there somekind of instructions for that and how much it helps?
Seems like there is so much to learn here!
Octane_114
LeT tHe gOOd tImEs RoLL
- Location
- Charleston S.C.
best advice I have read on this form.
someone above mentioned latching the hood before putting it up. i've never done that. i don't like leaving things latched as it will compress the hood seal and any residual water that you can't get to (and there is always some) won't evaporate. same deal with 440/550's and leaving the hood strap latched--it just weakens it. a much better method that i've done for decades is either leave the hood off or prop the rear of the hood up with a block of foam to let air circulate. doing that eliminates the need for trying to get all the water out.
- Location
- Rome, New York
Any specific location on where to drill the real breather hole and what size?