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ATV Prone to Flat Tyres: If the territory you operate in makes your tyres prone to flats ... then dismantle one side of the tyre from the rim and fill the air space with tennis balls (each wheel may take up to 30 balls) reassemble the tyre and inflate as normal. If you now get a flat then you'll get home much easier because the flat tyre will be supported by the tennis ball within.
Thanks to Garry@atvaustralia.com.au
PRE SEASON CHECK LIST FOR YOUR PWC
OK, winter is nearly over and the weekends are getting warmer and you want to get your PWC and start riding again. So you get it out of the garage where it has been stored for the last 2-3 months and put it on the tow bar, load the car and take off for the weekend on what is suppose to be a happy one. So you get to your destination and launch your PWC at the boat ramp only to discover that the engine wont start. OOPS big mistake. Before you head out on your trip you should check a few things over to avoid any inconvenience and unhappiness caused to you and your family and to ensure you have a happy and safe trip.1. Your PWC has been sitting idle for along time, so the first thing you should check is the battery, as it could well be FLAT. Check if the engine cranks over at a sufficient speed, if NOT remove the battery and charge it, also check the fluid level in it, if low fill to the level required.
2. Check the Steering and Throttle cables, make sure they move freely and that they are not Binding anywhere. If they feel stiff you may need to replace Them, as a broken cable while riding your PWC at high speed could quite possible cause a major accident.
3. Check your fuel filter is clean and you have fresh fuel in the tank. Also check your Oil Injection bottle is topped up.
4. If you haven’t started your engine for along time it is advisable to remove the spark plugs and Spray WD40 down the spark plug holes, and then reinstall the spark plugs. This will help lubricate the cylinders on initial startup, as all the lubricating oil will have drained to the bottom of the Engine.
5. Start the engine and run just above idle for approx. 15 seconds this will allow the engine to Become lubricated.
6. Now start the engine and follow the flushing procedure, but this time check for any water leaks or split hoses.
7. After finishing the flushing procedure, and repairing anything that needs to be repaired, then Check that all the hose clamps, nuts, bolts and leads are all tight and that nothing is loose.
Don’t forget to check those trailers too. Check to see with the lights are still working and that the trailer is in good condition. I’ll run through a preseason checklist on the trailers at another time. If you don’t feel confident to attempt any of these procedures take your PWC to your local Dealer and have them check it over for you and this will certainly save you any unhappy weekends.
CORRECT FLUSHING PROCEDURE FOR YOUR PWC
I see a lot of PWC that have terminal engine damage due to the Owner using incorrect flushing procedures. I find many of these Owners have purchased their PWC second hand and have never been told the correct way to flush their PWC engine out. Too most people they think they flush the motor the same way as an Outboard motor, "WRONG".I will run through the correct procedure of flushing your PWC. This will save some people that are unfamiliar with this procedure, the rather large expense that comes with not flushing your PWC correctly.
- There is NO need to flush your PWC if you are only riding in FRESH WATER.
- You ALWAYS need to flush your PWC out when riding in SALTWATER..
1. The First thing you do is to connect your hose to the flusher on your motor. (DON’T turn the water on at this stage.)
2. Start your engine and let it idle. NOW turn on the water at a reasonable pressure.
3. Run the engine approx: - 2-5 minutes occasionally SNAPPING the throttle to help clear the water box.
4. Now turn the water off, but DO NOT turn the engine off at this stage.
5. Once the water is off SNAP the throttle hard several times to allow the exhaust pressure to blow the excess water out of the water box.(Holding the engine at a constant high RPM wont blow the water out of the water box). This should take no longer then 20 seconds to do. When little or no water comes out the exhaust STOP the engine. DO NOT run your PWC for extended periods of time without water.
If you have followed this procedure step by step then you have correctly flushed your engine out. So when storing your PWC you won’t have excess water and moisture in the exhaust which can cause rusting to your engine.
THE BASIC RULE FOR FLUSHING YOUR ENGINE, is the engine must be running before you turn the water on or off.
Thanks to tim@fmracing.com.au