How do I get gravel out of my jet ski intake and how do I prevent it ?

Question

How do I get gravel out of my jet ski intake and how do I prevent it ?

Answer 1

If you have gravel or rocks lodged in the ribs of the intake grate, simply pop them out with a screwdriver, no sweat.  If you are talking about the actual impellor, and if it is so plugged with gravel that you cannot turn over the engine, then you must dismantle it, clear the rocks and sand, and re-assemble the impeller setup.  You might want to get some help on it if this is the case.  Prevention?  Do not run your ski in shallow water in gravel.

Answer 2

Stop starting your personal watercraft too close to shore, you need a minimum of 13 inches of obstruction free water depth to start and operate a PWC.

Additionally, stop beaching any personal watercraft.  Stop early enough to give yourself at least 50 feet of buffer room to be able to jump off and safely pull the PWC away from landing itself on the shore.  Then slowly pull it to a clean location  on shore as far as you can while still keeping the rear of the PWC in the water completely.  Then tie the bow of the PWC to a secure location with rope.

I've gone out countless times with PWC's and never have I gotten gravel into the intake system or the coolant system, its all about being a responsible operator and taking care of your equipment.

If you've clogged it up already, then I recommend you take it to a PWC mechanic and have the cooling system checked out.  I'm sure you have shreded your impeller quickly with all the crud its sucked up.

If you don't get it checked out, well expect to soon pay a thousand or two in repair shop costs or live with a busted PWC for a long while til you can afford the repair costs.

Answer 3

What mikey said!

Answer 4

flush it with fresh water