2001 YAMAHA VMAX Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-46
6 Engine overheating
EW000070
WARNING
@ l
Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine and radiator are hot. Scalding hot fluid and steam may be
blown out under pressure, which could cause serious injury. Be sure to wait until the engine has cooled.
l
After removing the radiator cap retaining bolt, place a thick rag, like a towel, over the radiator cap, and then
slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise to the detent to allow any residual pressure to escape. When the hiss-
ing sound has stopped, press down on the cap while turning it counterclockwise, and then remove the cap.
@NOTE:@ If coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily used instead, provided that it is changed to the recommended coolant
as soon as possible. @
Wait until the
engine has cooled.
Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and radiator.
The coolant level
is OK.The coolant level is low.
Check the cooling system
for leakage.
Have a Yamaha dealer checkand repair the cooling system.Add coolant. (See NOTE.)
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again,
have a
Yamaha dealer check
and repair the cooling system.
There is
leakage.
There is
no leakage.
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7
Care .................................................................................................. 7-1
Storage .............................................................................................. 7-4
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7-1
7
EAU03412
7-MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGECare While the open design of a motorcycle
reveals the attractiveness of the tech-
nology, it also makes it more vulnera-
ble. Rust and corrosion can develop
even if high-quality components are
used. A rusty exhaust pipe may go un-
noticed on a car, however, it detracts
from the overall appearance of a
motorcycle. Frequent and proper care
does not only comply with the terms of
the warranty, but it will also keep your
motorcycle looking good, extend its life
and optimize its performance.Before cleaning
1. Cover the muffler outlets with plas-
tic bags after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and covers
as well as all electrical couplers
and connectors, including the
spark plug caps, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt,
like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod-
ucts onto seals, gaskets and
wheel axles. Always rinse the dirt
and degreaser off with water.Cleaning
ECA00010
CAUTION:@ l
Avoid using strong acidic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoked
wheels. If such products are
used on hard-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
fected area any longer than in-
structed. Also, thoroughly rinse
the area off with water, immedi-
ately dry it, and then apply a
corrosion protection spray.
l
Improper cleaning can damage
windshields, cowlings, panels
and other plastic parts. Use
only a soft, clean cloth or
sponge with mild detergent and
water to clean plastic.
l
Do not use any harsh chemical
products on plastic parts. Be
sure to avoid using cloths or
sponges which have been in
contact with strong or abrasive
cleaning products, solvent or
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-2
7 thinner, fuel (gasoline), rust re-
movers or inhibitors, brake flu-
id, antifreeze or electrolyte.
l
Do not use high-pressure wash-
ers or steam-jet cleaners since
they cause water seepage and
deterioration in the following ar-
eas: seals (of wheel and swing-
arm bearings, fork and brakes),
electric components (couplers,
connectors, instruments, switch-
es and lights), breather hoses
and vents.
l
For motorcycles equipped with
a windshield: Do not use strong
cleaners or hard sponges as
they will cause dulling or
scratching. Some cleaning
compounds for plastic may
leave scratches on the wind-
shield. Test the product on a
small hidden part of the wind-
shield to make sure that it does
not leave any marks. If the wind-shield is scratched, use a quali-
ty plastic polishing compound
after washing.
@After normal useRemove dirt with warm water, a mild
detergent, and a soft, clean sponge,
and then rinse thoroughly with clean
water. Use a toothbrush or bottlebrush
for hard-to-reach areas. Stubborn dirt
and insects will come off more easily if
the area is covered with a wet cloth for
a few minutes before cleaning.After riding in the rain, near the sea or
on salt-sprayed roadsSince sea salt or salt sprayed on roads
during winter are extremely corrosive in
combination with water, carry out the
following steps after each ride in the
rain, near the sea or on salt-sprayed
roads.NOTE:@ Salt sprayed on roads in the winter may
remain well into spring. @1. Clean the motorcycle with cold
water and a mild detergent, after
the engine has cooled down.
ECA00012
CAUTION:@ Do not use warm water since it in-
creases the corrosive action of the
salt. @2. After drying the motorcycle, apply
a corrosion protection spray on all
metal, including chrome- and nick-
el-plated, surfaces to prevent cor-
rosion.
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-3
7After cleaning
1. Dry the motorcycle with a chamois
or an absorbing cloth.
2. Use a chrome polish to shine
chrome, aluminum and stainless-
steel parts, including the exhaust
system. (Even the thermally in-
duced discoloring of stainless-
steel exhaust systems can be re-
moved through polishing.)
3. To prevent corrosion, it is recom-
mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all metal,
including chrome- and nickel-plat-
ed, surfaces.
4. Use spray oil as a universal clean-
er to remove any remaining dirt.
5. Touch up minor paint damage
caused by stones, etc.
6. Wax all painted surfaces.
7. Let the motorcycle dry completely
before storing or covering it.
EWA00031
WARNING
@ l
Make sure that there is no oil or
wax on the brakes or tires.
l
If necessary, clean the brake
discs and brake linings with a
regular brake disc cleaner or ac-
etone, and wash the tires with
warm water and a mild deter-
gent. Before riding at higher
speeds, test the motorcycle’s
braking performance and cor-
nering behavior.
@
ECA00013
CAUTION:@ l
Apply spray oil and wax spar-
ingly and make sure to wipe off
any excess.
l
Never apply oil or wax to any
rubber and plastic parts, but
treat them with a suitable care
product.
l
Avoid using abrasive polishing
compounds as they will wear
away the paint.
@NOTE:@ Consult a Yamaha dealer for advice on
what products to use. @
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
7
Storage Short-term
Always store your motorcycle in a cool,
dry place and, if necessary, protect it
against dust with a porous cover.
ECA00014
CAUTION:@ l
Storing the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cover-
ing it with a tarp, while it is still
wet, will allow water and humid-
ity to seep in and cause rust.
l
To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because
of the presence of ammonia)
and areas where strong chemi-
cals are stored.
@
Long-term
Before storing your motorcycle for sev-
eral months:
1. Follow all the instructions in the
“Care” section of this chapter.
2. For motorcycles equipped with a
fuel cock that has an “OFF” posi-
tion: Turn the fuel cock lever to
“OFF”.
3. Drain the carburetor float cham-
bers by loosening the drain bolts;
this will prevent fuel deposits from
building up. Pour the drained fuel
into the fuel tank.
4. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
5. Perform the following steps to pro-
tect the cylinders, piston rings, etc.
from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug caps and
spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil
into each spark plug bore.c. Install the spark plug caps onto the
spark plugs, and then place the
spark plugs on the cylinder head
so that the electrodes are ground-
ed. (This will limit sparking during
the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times
with the starter. (This will coat the
cylinder walls with oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug caps from
the spark plugs, and then install
the spark plugs and the spark plug
caps.
EWA00003
WARNING
@ To prevent damage or injury from
sparking, make sure to ground the
spark plug electrodes while turning
the engine over. @
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MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-5
76. Lubricate all control cables and
the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the sidestand/
centerstand.
7. Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
8. Cover the muffler outlets with plas-
tic bags to prevent moisture from
entering them.
9. Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place (less
than 0 °C or more than 30 °C). For
more information on storing the
battery, see page 6-36.
NOTE:@ Make any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle. @
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