How Long to run out of water?

[dlyman]

Hi I just purchased a 96 1050 SLTX ski and was wanting to tune and adjust a bit off the water and I don't see any where to hook up a hose. My question is, is it ok to run it out of water for short times with no water? (start for maybe less then a minute, let it cool)? Is it just the cooling I need to worry about or will it hurt the impeller? Or should I wait to install a flush kit and will that work to tune with? (I know as long as I start the ski first and then turn the water on and reverse when turning it off). These forums have been very helpful. I read the sticky first for new ski owners but wanted a bit more info. thanks in advance...

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: How Long to run out of water?

if you adjust it on the trailer you are wasting your time,, you need to do it in the water with a load on the pump. and warm it up first.

 

[dlyman]

Re: How Long to run out of water?

Thanks Jeff, for the quick reply, I was hopeing you would be the one to answer, I have been following your posts and you a very informative.

Adjusting I guess may have been a premature statement, what I was mainly interested in was more like getting it to run and idle, then do final adjustments on the water. Will I damage the ski or impeller by short starts? Making sure as to not over heat it maybe 20 -30 sec. I have to work on some electrical issues thats why I asked.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: How Long to run out of water?

a few seconds will be ok but you need to get a hose attachment for it any way, look up in the front of the engine and see if there is a cap that just happens to be the size of a garden hose,, most of those have one on them.. usually it is a nylon block off cap on the fitting for the hose.
or it may be in the rear of the engine or on one of the water lines in the back.

 

[crazyclam]

Re: How Long to run out of water?

Running anything thats meant to have water without any is never good.......heat is what damages engines.......The flush kit should be your first install to worry about.....you will then be able to run it out of the water for a little bit.... as previously posted by Jeff....skis need to have them tuned with a load on them.....Right now I am working on my ski and it runs great out of the water, but cuts out with a load....

Get the flush kit
Find a bulkhead/wall that wont damage your ski and nose into the bulkhead to apply a load on the jet

 

[dlyman]

Re: How Long to run out of water?

Thanks to both of you guys for all the input.

 

[jam1ej20]

Re: How Long to run out of water?

I've owned several skis and they all recommend no more than 8-15 seconds without water. I haven't personally owned a Polaris, so I can't speak to the flush kit situation. However, all that i have owned (95 and newer) have had an integrated flush port so that a kit is not necessary. I haven't had to use a flush kit since my 92 sea-doo XP. Look more closely, you may find the port. Sometimes there is a threaded port for the water hose on the back near the jet deflector.

 

[twista]

Re: How Long to run out of water?

i agree,, 15 secs tops,, wont hurt it at all,, had a 1100 ZXI i did it too all the time,, MRD mecahnical fuel injuected and a bunch of other stuff,, 67.6MPH on radar at Lake Mead National Recreation area in Nevada (Las Vegas area) i was the King of saddle cove for like 5 or 6 years,, never beat in a drag,, hate to brag but when the 99 Ultras came out i was smoking them like a bad cigar,, alot of pro riders hung out at that cove! my boy Rob Flores was one of them,, Jeff Hain (watercraft illustrated) editor was on hand to see my boat run,, along with Tim Lothamer (Megaflow Performance) not bad for a 96 boat back then!