PWC PWC Maintenance and Equipment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often should the jet pump intake grate be inspected on a PWC?
- Only annually during winterization
- Before each use and after any contact with debris or shallow water (Correct answer)
- Every 100 hours of operation
- Once per season
Correct answer: Before each use and after any contact with debris or shallow water
The intake grate should be inspected before every outing and immediately after any debris contact to ensure it is not damaged or clogged.
Question 2: What should you do if weeds or debris are caught in the jet pump intake of a PWC?
- Accelerate rapidly to blow it out
- Shut off the engine and clear the intake by hand or with a stick (Correct answer)
- Reverse the craft to dislodge the debris
- Continue riding — it will clear on its own
Correct answer: Shut off the engine and clear the intake by hand or with a stick
The engine must be shut off before reaching into or near the intake to prevent serious injury from the impeller; then clear debris manually.
Question 3: What is the purpose of flushing a PWC engine with fresh water after riding in salt water?
- To cool the engine faster
- To remove salt deposits that cause corrosion and damage internal components (Correct answer)
- To lubricate the impeller
- To reset the engine management system
Correct answer: To remove salt deposits that cause corrosion and damage internal components
Flushing with fresh water after saltwater use removes corrosive salt deposits from the cooling system and exhaust passages, extending engine life.
Question 4: What does a PWC bilge blower do and when should it be run?
- It cools the engine — run it continuously while riding
- It removes fuel vapors from the engine compartment — run it before starting the engine (Correct answer)
- It inflates the hull flotation foam
- It circulates coolant — run it after shutting down
Correct answer: It removes fuel vapors from the engine compartment — run it before starting the engine
The bilge blower ventilates the engine compartment to remove explosive fuel vapors before starting the engine, preventing fire or explosion.
Question 5: Which type of fire extinguisher is recommended for a PWC engine compartment?
- Type A (water-based)
- Type B:C dry chemical or clean-agent extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Type D (metal fires)
- No extinguisher is needed on a PWC
Correct answer: Type B:C dry chemical or clean-agent extinguisher
Type B:C extinguishers are designed for fuel/oil and electrical fires, which are the types most likely in a PWC engine compartment.
Question 6: What is the correct procedure for winterizing a PWC engine?
- Drain the fuel tank completely and leave it dry
- Fog the engine with storage oil, stabilize fuel, flush with antifreeze, and store upright (Correct answer)
- Submerge the PWC to keep seals wet
- Run the engine dry and coat external parts with grease only
Correct answer: Fog the engine with storage oil, stabilize fuel, flush with antifreeze, and store upright
Proper winterization includes fogging the engine cylinders, adding fuel stabilizer, flushing with antifreeze, and storing in a dry location to prevent freeze damage and corrosion.
PWC PWC Maintenance and Equipment 1
How often should the jet pump intake grate be inspected on a PWC?