Common Jet Ski Engine Problems and How to Spot Them

Jet skis are small and maneuverable personal watercraft. Designed for water sports, people often use jet skis for their speed and agility. Even though owning a jet ski can be fun, they still require repairs from time to time.

Your jet ski might need repairs done if you haven’t kept up with routine maintenance, you use it frequently, you’ve gotten into collisions with items in the water, or you use it in saltwater often.

Unfortunately, engine problems are the most common issues that jet skis face. Some of the signs that your jet ski engine needs repairs are overheating, finding water in your oil, the engine stalls or doesn’t start, noticing excessive smoke, or accelerating poorly.

Depending on what signs you notice, the engine might have blocked or dirty cooling lines, clogged fuel line injectors or carburetors, faulty spark plugs, dirty air or fuel filters, a damaged engine block, worn-out seals or piston rings, and more.

Thankfully, the marine mechanics at Jettek Water Sports can fix any jet ski issues you are dealing with, whether a part simply needs to be repaired or your engine needs to be completely rebuilt.

What are the Most Common Issues With Jet Ski Engines and Their Signs?

Jet skis might experience engine issues if you do not regularly clean the fuel system, replace spark plugs, inspect the cooling system, or check for corrosion. Because all of this maintenance can be time-consuming, it is best to set up regular maintenance appointments with a jet ski mechanic shop like Jettek Water Sports.

That said, even with regular maintenance, sometimes things go wrong. The signs and causes of jet ski engine problems include:

Engine Isn’t Starting

If you keep trying to start your jet ski with no luck, there are a few problems that could be going on with your engine, including:

• Fuel problems- having an empty gas tank, old fuel, or clogged fuel filters can prevent your engine from starting.
• Battery issues- dead or old batteries can cause your jet ski to have problems starting.
• Corrosion- long-term and frequent saltwater exposure can lead to corrosion in the electrical components of your engine, preventing the jet ski from starting.
• Faulty spark plugs- If your spark plugs are old and worn out or dirty, your jet ski might not start.

Overheating

If you notice a temperature warning light on the dashboard of your jet ski, that means it is overheating. Other signs of overheating include less water coming out of the water jet, strange noises coming from the engine, and steam coming from the engine area.

Causes of jet ski overheating include:

• Cooling system failure caused by clogged intake screens or a malfunctioning water pump
• Dirty or blocked cooling lines as a result of sediment or debris build-up

Stalling or Rough Idling

If your jet ski is shaking or noticeably vibrating while you are idling, you might be dealing with an engine problem. Additionally, if your jet ski randomly stops or “dies” mid-ride, your engine is stalling.

The causes of stalling or rough idling include:

• Dirty fuel and air filters
• Clogged injectors and intake systems
• Poor fuel quality

Water in the Oil

If you are changing or checking the oil of your jet ski and it has a milky appearance, that means water is leaking into your oil. Having water in your oil is indicative of leaks and could lead to difficulty starting, loss of power, and unusual noises.

The causes of water in your jet ski’s oil include:

• Faulty gasket or seal
• Cracks in the engine block

Excessive Smoke

When you turn your jet ski on or accelerate, you shouldn’t notice large clouds of smoke. If you do, you are experiencing an engine issue.

The jet ski engine issues associated with smoke include:

• Overfilled oil
• Worn-out seals or pistons letting oil leak into the combustion chamber (usually causes blue smoke)

Poor Acceleration

If your jet ski is taking longer to reach certain speeds, feels sluggish when accelerating, isn’t reaching the top speed, or you hear popping sounds while accelerating, you have an engine issue that needs to be repaired.

Causes of poor acceleration among jet skis include:

• Intake or jet nozzle is clogged with debris or seaweed
• Your throttle cable is frayed or not adjusted properly

Intense Vibration

Jet skis typically have a slight or consistent hum, however, if you notice excessive shaking or intense vibrations while accelerating or reaching high speeds, your engine might need some repairs.

Causes of intense vibration include:

• Damaged or misaligned impellers
• Loose or damaged mounts

Get Connected to a Jet Ski Mechanic in Riviera Beach

If you need jet ski repairs, you’ve come to the right place. Whether your jet ski isn’t starting, stalls at high speeds, vibrates a lot, or is smoking excessively, Jettek Water Sports is here to help. Our expert marine mechanics can resolve any type of engine issue your jet ski is facing.

At Jettek Watersports, we offer a diverse selection of high-performance watercraft and equipment services and repairs, tailored to suit every type of water adventure. From jet skis to yacht tenders and flyboards, our services and repairs are meticulously carried out to ensure top-quality performance and safety. Whether you’re planning a solo excursion or a group outing, we provide fast and proficient repair service options designed to meet your needs and enhance your experience on the water.

Contact us today for more information on common jet ski engine problems.