Time is the enemy

A submerged or hydrolocked PWC engine starts corroding internally the moment it comes out of the water. Handled within a day or two, many survive; left a week "to dry out," the cylinders and bearings rust and the engine is done. When the call comes in, treat it as urgent and say so.

Absolute rule one

Do not crank it. Not to test, not "just briefly." Water in a cylinder plus a starter motor equals bent connecting rods. If the owner already cranked it, note that in your assessment — it changes the prognosis and the quote.

Field recovery procedure

1. Ventilate and disconnect the battery. Fresh water and electronics may have survived; salt water is far less forgiving — note which it was.
2. Drain the hull, remove the seat and air box, pull all spark plugs.
3. Turn the engine by hand (socket on the crank per the service manual). If it turns freely, rotate slowly to expel water from the plug holes; if it's locked, stop — teardown territory.
4. Crank with plugs out (fuel and ignition disabled) in short bursts to purge remaining water. Cover the plug holes with a rag — it sprays.
5. Fog generous storage/fogging oil into each cylinder, rotate by hand to coat.
6. Drain and refill the oil on four-strokes — expect a milkshake; plan on repeat oil changes after the engine runs (check the service manual guidance). Check pump oil too.
7. Address fuel: water in the tank means pump-out and fresh fuel.
8. Dry, dielectric-grease, and reconnect electrical connectors; salt-dunked harnesses should be rinsed with fresh water first (yes, really), then dried thoroughly.
9. Once everything checks out: fresh plugs, start, run to temperature, then change the oil again after the first real run.

Find out why it sank

Carbon ring/driveline boot failure, missing drain plugs, hull damage, or a failed bellows/seal. Returning a recovered ski to the water without fixing the cause books you the same rescue twice — at your reputation's expense.

Common mistakes

• Letting it "dry out for a week" before starting recovery
• Skipping the repeat oil changes
• Ignoring water in the fuel tank

When to walk away

Locked crank, salt submersion for days, or visible rust at the plug holes: quote engine replacement economics honestly before billing recovery hours.

Safety: fuel-contaminated bilge water is flammable and an environmental issue — contain and dispose properly; ventilate before any spark-producing work.