How to Maintain a Sea-Doo Spark? [Full Maintenance Guide]

When it comes to Sea-Doo Spark maintenance, there are a lot of questions out there.

Where is the battery on a Sea-Doo Spark? How do you change the oil or winterize it properly? And after all that, can you maintain a Sea-Doo Spark by yourself?

We at JetDrift, have done the research and collected the basics of Sea-Doo Spark maintenance and have included some helpful tutorial videos in this post.

Please note that proper maintenance is important to keep your Sea-Doo Spark in safe operating condition.

Because of this, if you are considering maintaining and servicing your Sea-Doo Spark yourself, always refer to the owner’s manual!

How Do You Maintain a Sea-Doo Spark?

Maintaining a Sea-Doo Spark properly means regular oil changes, proper winterization, spark plug and battery replacement and maintenance, and many other tasks that are clearly stated in the owner’s manual.

Don’t forget that beyond regular inspections and maintenance, the pre-ride check before your ride as well as routine after-ride care are also important in keeping your Sea-Doo Spark in good shape all year round!

Beyond these general steps, there are many small tasks to perform to properly maintain a Sea-Doo. That’s why the manufacturer recommends that you get the maintenance done in an authorized Sea-Doo dealership.

If you decide to handle your Sea-Doo Sparks’ maintenance yourself, it’s highly recommended that you carefully read the owner’s manual and follow the recommended steps.

Be aware that overlooked or improper maintenance can result in malfunctions or even damage!

How Do You Change the Oil On a Sea-Doo Spark?

How Often Should You Change the Oil in a Sea-Doo Spark?

You should change the oil in your Sea-Doo Spark after every 100 hours or every year, whichever comes first. Don’t forget that if you change the oil in a Sea-Doo Spark, the oil filter must be replaced at the same time! Beyond the periodic oil change, it’s recommended that you frequently check the oil level and refill it if necessary.

To check and refill the oil correctly, make sure that your Spark is level and be careful not to overfill. After you refill the oil, check its level again as an improper oil level may damage the engine!

What Kind of Oil Does a Sea-Doo Spark Use?

The manufacturer recommends two types of oil for the Sea-Doo Spark, the XPS 4-Stroke Synthetic Blend Oil (P/N 293 600 121) in summer, or the XPS 4-Stroke Synthetic Oil (P/N 293 600 112), which is recommended in all climate zones.

If this XPS TM engine oil is not available, you can still use 5W40 or 10W40 API Service SN synthetic oil.

How Many Quarts of Oil Does a Sea-Doo Spark Take?

The total oil capacity of a Sea-Doo Spark is 3.6 quarts, while you will need around 2.1 quarts of oil for an oil change on a Sea-Doo Spark. The exact amount of oil may differ slightly from one model to another, please refer to your Spark’s manual.

How Do You Change the Oil On a Sea-Doo Spark?

To change the oil in a Sea-Doo Spark, you will need some tools like an oil suction pump and socket set with an extension bar. Don’t forget that the oil filter must be replaced whenever you change the oil in your Spark. Also, it’s very important to note that you must NEVER crack or start the engine if there is no oil in it!

The manufacturer recommends that you have an authorized Sea-Doo dealership change the oil in a Sea-Doo Sparks. If you decide to change the oil by yourself, always refer to the owner’s manual, but you may also find this tutorial video useful:

How Do You Winterize a Sea-Doo Spark?

To winterize a Sea-Doo Spark, you have to clean and dry your Spark first. As the second step, drain the water from the exhaust system, and flush it through with antifreeze.

Fill up your gas tank completely, and add stabilizer to it. Finally, lubricate the moving parts, remove the battery and hook it up on a batter tender.

These are the basics of Sea-Doo Spark winterization, but you can find more info about Sea-Doo winterization in this detailed guide:

How Do You Winterize a Sea-Doo Spark TRIXX?

You can winterize Sea-Doo Spark TRIXXs in the same way as regular Sea-Doo Sparks, because all of these models are powered with the same 899cc, non-supercharged Rotax engine.

How Do You Remove the Battery from a Sea-Doo Spark?

Where is the battery on a Sea-Doo Spark?

Unlike on other Sea-Doos and other personal watercraft, the battery on a Sea-Doo Spark can be found under an access panel on the side of the deck (also known as the engine cover).

You have to locate and remove this panel to access the battery:

How Do You Remove the Battery from a Sea-Doo Spark?

To remove a Sea-Doo Spark battery, you have to first remove the access panel on the side of the deck. Important: first the negative (black) cable and then the positive (red) cable! Finally, unhook the strap and remove the battery from the Sea-Doo Spark.

How Do You Change the Battery in a Sea-Doo Spark?

To change a Sea-Doo battery, first remove the access panel, then the old battery. Make sure you disconnect the negative (black) cable first!

While installing the new battery into the Spark, secure the strap tightly, then you have to connect the positive (red) cable first to avoid any damage! Finally, put the rubber caps and the side panels on.

An Alternative Way to Replace a Sea-Doo Spark Battery

Please note that replacing the Sea-Doo Spark battery through this small access hole can be tricky, not to mention dealing with all the wires around the battery.

Although it is possible to replace a Sea-Doo Spark battery in this way, many owners prefer removing the whole top deck, even if it involves more work and hassle.

What Kind of Battery Does a Sea-Doo Spark Use?

Sea-Doo Sparks use YTX20L-BS (20-amp) batteries. The best Sea-Doo Spark batteries are arguably the sealed AGM batteries made by DEKA or YUASA.

How Do You Charge a Sea-Doo Spark Battery?

To charge a Sea-Doo Spark battery, always remove it from the hull first. This can be a hassle, but during the charge flammable hydrogen fumes may accumulate inside the hull, which can result in an explosion.

Once you’ve removed the battery store it in a cool and secure place and attach a charger to it.

Make sure to hook up the positive (+) red cable first on the battery’s positive terminal, and as a final step, plug the charger in. You can learn more about Sea-Doo battery maintenance here.

How do You Flush a Sea-Doo Spark?

Can You Run a Sea-Doo Spark Out of Water?

You can run a Sea-Doo Spark out of the water but be sure that you install a garden hose on the flushing connector to cool the system with fresh water.

This is because although a Sea-Doo Spark features a closed-loop cooling system, the exhaust system is still cooled with raw water.

Also, be careful as the heat exchanger may become very hot!

Moreover, according to the manufacturer you should never run the engine more than 2 minutes on the hose, as the driveline seal (carbon ring) is not being cooled when the Sea-Doo is out of the water.

How Do You Flush a Sea-Doo Spark?

To flush a Sea-Doo Spark, make sure to first attach the garden hose to the connector while the hose off. Always start the engine before opening the water tap. Run your engine at idle for around 30-40 seconds. Then close the water tap before draining the water from the exhaust. And finally, shut the engine off.

Be careful as if you confuse the order of the steps the water can be forced into the engine through the exhaust system, which can result in damage!

How Do You Drain Water from a Sea-Doo Spark?

You can easily drain the water from a Sea-Doo Spark by removing the drain plugs. Just make sure you have secured them before you next launch, as missing drain plugs are one of the main reasons for Sea-Doos sinking!

You have to drain the Sea-Doo Spark’s exhaust system as well. After flushing, a little “throttle blipping” (not max rpm!) for 5 seconds can help remove the water from the exhaust system.

Other Sea-Doo Spark Maintenance Tips

How Do You Remove the Top of a Sea-Doo Spark Deck?

To remove the top of a Sea-Doo Spark deck, first you have to remove the seat, the engine cover, and the knee pads. Then disconnect the battery and the wiring harnesses, and the steering cable from the central body. (This can be tricky!)

Finally, unscrew all the bolts and remove the top deck. Note that lifting and moving the deck is much easier with assistance.

How Do You Change a Sea-Doo Spark Impeller?

To change a Sea-Doo Spark impeller, beyond the normal hand tools you will need a special impeller removal tool. If you have a Sea-Doo Spark with iBR, you have to remove it first. Then you can remove the whole pump that accommodates the impeller.

First you have to separate the nozzle from the pump and the impeller boot to access the impeller. Finally, you can remove the impeller with the removal tool.

How Do You Change the Wear Ring on a Sea-Doo Spark?

To change a wear ring on a Sea-Doo Spark, you have to first remove the pump, then separate the steering nozzle and the impeller from the pump. Also, keep in mind that if you replace your impeller the wear ring should be replaced with a new one at the same time. You can see the proper process for changing the wear ring in the tutorial video above.

How Do You Remove a Sea-Doo Spark Intake Grate?

To remove a Sea-Doo Spark intake grate, you always have to remove the top of the deck. If you have a Spark that features an iBR system, you have to remove the jet pump as well (you can see the process in the ‘impeller removal’ video above). After doing all that, you just have to unscrew the bolts with a socket inside as well as the bottom of the hull.

When you install the new intake grate, make sure to add silicon sealant around the bolt holes to avoid leaks. You can see the whole process here:

How Do You Change Spark Plugs on a Sea-Doo Spark?

To change spark plugs on a Sea-Doo Spark, you have to first remove the top of the deck. You will need a 5/8 spark plug socket and a screwdriver or a drill. Remove the wires and the bolts from the coils and move them out. Finally, you can replace the spark plugs through the hole with the socket and an extension.

Are Sea-Doo Sparks Reliable?

Sea-Doo Sparks are considered to be the most reliable Sea-Doos on the market, thanks to their lower-performance non-supercharged engines and the lack of bells and whistles, which may fail on the flagship models.

Conclusion

When it comes to Sea-Doo Spark maintenance and servicing the most important thing is to always check the owner’s manual for appropriate instructions. Beware that improper maintenance can lead to damage or malfunctions, that’s why the manufacturer recommends that you get the maintenance done in an authorized Sea-Doo dealership.

If you have the skills and the necessary tools, you can consider doing the maintenance yourself. In this case, make sure that the engine is off, and it’s completely cooled down!

How do you maintain a Sea-Doo Spark?

The most important thing is to replace the engine oil after every 100 hours or once a year, whichever comes first. Inspect and maintain the battery and replace it when needed. And don’t forget to properly winterize your Sea-Doo Spark. Beyond these main maintenance duties, there are many smaller but important tasks that are all stated in the manual. Don’t overlook them!

Finally, never leave any object (tools, rags, etc.) in the engine compartment or other parts of the Spark.

This was our short Sea-Doo Spark maintenance guide, for further guidance please check the owner’s manual!