You have replaced your jet ski engine with either a re-manufactured or new motor and your very next thought is to jump on it and … Go! Go! Go!
STOP! STOP! STOP! Like any performance motor, your jet ski motor needs a break-in period to assure proper function and longevity of your ski and its’ engine.
Like most things in the world of jet skis, if you ask 100 jet skiers their opinion on how to break in your new motor, you will get 101 different answers.
The break-in period is to wear the motor evenly using smooth, consistent pressure. The pistons, rings, cylinders and seals will have the advantage of even oil flow and temperatures while the piston rings, which expand and contract, will also have the opportunity to seat evenly on the cylinders.
4 Stroke Break-In Recommendations
Give your motor a 5 hour break-in period, a long afternoon on the water.
Start and stop your ski 4 or 5 times and let the engine cool for 15 minutes before starting again.
With your ski in the water, let it idle for a few minutes. Like starting your car on a cold day and letting the engine warm up. No full throttle and do not gun the engine when starting out. Use smooth acceleration and slowly work up your max rpms each time.
Vary your speed, not using the same speed for more than a few minutes at a time. Go 30mph, go 50mph, go 43mph. Cruise and enjoy the day.
2 Stroke Break-In Recommendations
Give your new motor a good long afternoon break-in period. Use your entire first tank of gas.
The idea is to ease into it. 15 minutes on, 15 minutes cool down before you start again, repeated until you have used your tank of gas. Be sure to vary your speeds while breaking in.
Warm on idle a few minutes and then:
- Ride for 15 minutes at 20-25% of your rpms varying your speed.
- Turn off motor for 15 minutes allowing the oil to drain down
- Ride for 15 minutes at 25-50% of your rpms varying your speed
- Turn off motor for 15 minutes allowing the oil to drain down
- Ride for 15 minutes at 50-75% of your rpms varying your speed
- Turn off motor for 15 minutes allowing the oil to drain down
- Ride for 15 minutes at 75-90% of your rpms. You can bump up to 100% but come right back down, just touch it and then back off. Remember to vary your speed
- Turn off motor for 15 minutes allowing the oil to drain down
Now repeat from beginning, 20-25% and so on until you have used your tank of gas (about 4 hours)
