2001 YAMAHA VMAX check engine

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-17
67. Remove the cylinder drain plug
covers on the outside of the cylin-
der blocks by removing the
screws.8. Remove the rubber coolant drain
plugs to drain the coolant from the
engine.
9. After the coolant is completely
drained, thoroughly flush the cool-
ing system with clean tap water.
10. Install the water pump drain bolt,
and then tighten it to the specified
torque.
NOTE:@ Check the washer for damage and re-
place it if necessary. @
11. Install the rubber coolant drain
plugs, and then install the cylinder
drain plug covers.NOTE:@ Check the rubber plugs for damage
and replace them if necessary. @12. Turn the coolant drain cock to
“OFF”.
13. Pour the recommended coolant
into the reservoir to the maximum
level, and then install the cap.
14. Pour the recommended coolant
into the radiator until it is full.
1. Screw (´ 4)
1. Rubber coolant drain plug (´ 4)
Tightening torque:
Water pump drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kg)
E_3lr.book Page 17 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-18
6
EC000080
CAUTION:@ l
If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water
or salt water since it is harmful
to the engine.
l
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the engine may not be
sufficiently cooled and the cool-
ing system will not be protected
against frost and corrosion.
l
If water has been added to the
coolant, have a Yamaha dealer
check the antifreeze content of
the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of
the coolant will be reduced.
@15. Install the radiator cap, start the
engine, let it idle for several min-
utes, and then turn it off.
16. Remove the radiator cap to check
the coolant level in the radiator. If
necessary, add sufficient coolant
until it reaches the top of the radia-
tor, and then install the radiator
cap.
17. Check the coolant level in the res-
ervoir. If necessary, remove the
coolant reservoir cap, add coolant
to the maximum level mark, and
then install the cap.
18. Start the engine, and then check
the vehicle for coolant leakage. If
coolant is leaking, have a Yamaha
dealer check the cooling system.
19. Install the cowling and the panel. Antifreeze/water mixture ratio:
1:1
Recommended antifreeze:
High-quality ethylene glycol
antifreeze containing corrosion
inhibitors for aluminum engines
Coolant quantity:
Total amount:
3.05 L
Coolant reservoir capacity:
0.3 L
E_3lr.book Page 18 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-20
6
EAU00630
Adjusting the carburetors The carburetors are important parts of
the engine and require very sophisti-
cated adjustment. Therefore, most car-
buretor adjustments should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the neces-
sary professional knowledge and expe-
rience. The adjustment described in
the following section, however, may be
serviced by the owner as part of routine
maintenance.
EC000095
CAUTION:@ The carburetors have been set and
extensively tested at the Yamaha
factory. Changing these settings
without sufficient technical knowl-
edge may result in poor perfor-
mance of or damage to the engine. @
EAU00632
Adjusting the engine idling
speed The engine idling speed must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted as
follows at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Start the engine and warm it up for
several minutes at 1,000–
2,000 r/min while occasionally rev-
ving it to 4,000–5,000 r/min.NOTE:@ The engine is warm when it quickly re-
sponds to the throttle. @
2. Check the engine idling speed
and, if necessary, adjust it to spec-
ification by turning the throttle stop
screw. To increase the engine
idling speed, turn the screw in di-
rection
a. To decrease the engine
idling speed, turn the screw in di-
rection
b.NOTE:@ If the specified idling speed cannot be
obtained as described above, have a
Yamaha dealer make the adjustment. @ 1. Throttle stop screwEngine idling speed:
950–1,050 r/min
E_3lr.book Page 20 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-21
6
EAU00635
Adjusting the throttle cable
free play The throttle cable free play should
measure 3–5 mm at the throttle grip.
Periodically check the throttle cable
free play and, if necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.
EAU00637
Adjusting the valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use,
resulting in improper air-fuel mixture
and/or engine noise. To prevent this
from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
EAU00647
Tires To ensure maximum performance as
well as the long and safe operation of
your motorcycle, note the following
points regarding the specified tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted
before each ride.
EW000082
WARNING
@ l
The tire air pressure must be
checked and adjusted on cold
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the ambient
temperature).
l
The tire air pressure must be
adjusted in accordance with the
riding speed and with the total
weight of rider, passenger, car-
go, and accessories approved
for this model.
@
a. Throttle cable free playE_3lr.book Page 21 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-28
6
l
Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.
l
As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to
gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
EAU03238
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, have the oil seals
of the brake master cylinder and caliper
as well as the brake hose replaced at
the intervals listed below or whenever
they are damaged or leaking.l
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
l
Brake hose: Replace every four
years.
EAU02962
Checking and lubricating the
cables The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
EW000112
WARNING
@ Damage to the outer sheath may in-
terfere with proper cable operation
and will cause the inner cable to
rust. Replace a damaged cable as
soon as possible to prevent unsafe
conditions. @Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
E_3lr.book Page 28 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-29
6
EAU03209
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable The operation of the throttle grip and
the condition of the throttle cable
should be checked before each ride,
and the cable should be lubricated or
replaced if necessary.NOTE:@ Since the throttle grip must be removed
to access the throttle cable end, the
throttle grip and the cable should al-
ways be lubricated at the same time. @1. Remove the throttle grip by remov-
ing the screws.
2. Disconnect the throttle cable, hold
it up, and then apply several drops
of oil to the cable end, allowing it to
trickle into the sheath.
3. Connect the throttle cable, and
then grease the inside of the throt-
tle grip housing.
4. Grease the metal-to-metal contact
surface of the throttle grip, and
then install the grip by installing
the screws.
EAU03370
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary. Recommended lubricant:
Throttle cable:
Engine oil
Throttle grip housing and grip:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
(all-purpose grease)
E_3lr.book Page 29 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-32
6
EAU00794
Checking the steering Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Place a stand under the engine to
raise the front wheel off the
ground.
EW000115
WARNING
@ Securely support the motorcycle so
that there is no danger of it falling
over. @
2. Hold the lower ends of the front
fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steer-
ing.
E_3lr.book Page 32 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-36
6 11. Connect and tighten the positive
battery lead and the starter motor
lead to the starter motor relay.
EW000118
WARNING
@ Pass the positive battery lead and
starter lead through the hole in the
ignition coil bracket as shown. Im-
proper routing of these leads could
bring about a short circuit, causing
the engine and lights to fail and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident. @12. Connect and tighten the negative
battery lead to the battery.
13. Install the rider seat.To store the battery
1. If the motorcycle will not be used
for more than one month, remove
the battery, fully charge it, and
then place it in a cool, dry place.
2. If the battery will be stored for
more than two months, check the
specific gravity of the electrolyte at
least once a month and fully
charge the battery whenever nec-
essary.
3. Fully charge the battery before in-
stallation.
4. After installation, make sure that
the battery leads are properly con-
nected to the battery terminals and
that the breather hose is properly
routed, in good condition, and not
obstructed.
EC000099
CAUTION:@ If the breather hose is positioned in
such a way that the frame is ex-
posed to electrolyte or gas expelled
from the battery, the frame could
suffer structural and external dam-
ages. @
1. Battery positive lead (red)
2. Starter motor lead (black)
E_3lr.book Page 36 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM