2001 YAMAHA XL 1200 Owners Manual

4-4
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EJU00988
Battery
If the watercraft is not used for a month or
more, disconnect the battery cable (–) first,
and then the cable (+) and breather pipe,
and next remove the battery from the craft.
Clean the battery casing using fresh
water.
If the battery terminals are dirty or cor-
roded, clean the mating surfaces on the ter-
minals for the battery cables using the wiring
brush or equivalents.
Recharge the battery, and then store it in
a cool and dark place.
Apply the Yamaha marine grease/Yamaha
grease A to the battery terminals.
Recharge the battery periodically at least
2 months because a battery will discharge
electricity by itself while storing.
CAUTION:
The battery may be impossible to use
again if you store it for a longer time
without recharging. Recharge the battery
periodically.
NOTE:
The battery condition can be found by
checking the specific gravity of the electro-
lyte. However, you can also know the battery
condition roughly by measuring the voltage
at both battery terminals. Recharge the bat-
tery if the voltage is 12 volts or less.
Yamaha recommend checking the specific
gravity of the electrolyte and charging bat-
tery by a Yamaha dealer or a battery dealer.
If you maintain the battery yourself, read
carefully the instructions for the tool and
machine before maintenance.
Specific gravity of electrolyte
(for reference):
1.28 at 20 °C (68 °F)

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EJU00531
Cleaning the watercraft
Clean the watercraft before storing for a
long period.
1. Wash down the hull, handlebars, and
drive unit with fresh water.
2. Rinse the engine and bilge area with
fresh water. Drain off all water and wipe
up remaining moisture with clean, dry
rags.
3. Spray the engine’s exterior with a rust
inhibitor or lubricant.
4. Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
5. Wipe all vinyl and rubber components,
such as the seat and engine compart-
ment seals, with a vinyl protectant.

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Maintenance and
adjustments
Periodic inspection, adjustment and lubri-
cation will keep your watercraft in the safest
and most efficient condition possible. Safety
is an obligation of the watercraft owner. The
most important points of watercraft inspec-
tion, adjustment and lubrication are
explained on the following pages.
See your Yamaha dealer for genuine
Yamaha replacement parts and optional
accessories designed for your watercraft.
Remember that failures that are the result
of the installation of parts or accessories
which are not qualitatively equivalent to gen-
uine Yamaha parts are not covered by the
limited warranty.
WARNING
●Be sure to turn off the engine when
you perform maintenance unless oth-
erwise specified, otherwise an acci-
dent or injury could result from
unexpected operation, moving parts,
or electric shock. If the owner is not
familiar with watercraft servicing, this
work should be done by a Yamaha
dealer. Improperly serviced compo-
nents could fail or stop operating cor-
rectly, which could result in an
accident.
●Modifications to this watercraft not
approved by Yamaha may cause loss
of performance or excessive noise, or
render it unsafe for use. Consult a
Yamaha dealer before attempting any
changes.

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Owner’s/Operator’s Manual
and tool kit
It is advisable always to carry the Owner’s/
Operator’s Manual and tool kit with you
whenever you use the watercraft. For your
convenience, a storage compartment 1 is
provided on the watercraft for the manual
and tool kit.
NOTE:
To protect these materials from water dam-
age, it would be a good idea to put them in a
waterproof bag.
The service information included in this
manual is intended to provide you with the
necessary information for completing your
own preventive maintenance and minor
repairs. The tools provided in the tool kit 2
are sufficient for this purpose. However, a
torque wrench may also be necessary to
tighten nuts and bolts.

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EJU00536
Periodic maintenance chart
The following chart gives general guidelines for periodic maintenance. However, depend-
ing on your operating conditions maintenance may need to be performed more frequently.
(
●) This mark indicates maintenance that you may do yourself.
(
❍) This mark indicates work to be done by a Yamaha dealer.
*1: Grease capacity: 33.0–35.0 cm3 (1.11–1.18 oz)
*2: Grease capacity: 6.0–8.0 cm3 (0.20–0.27 oz)
MAINTENANCE INTERVAL INITIALTHEREAFTER
EVERYPA G E
10
hours50
hours100
hours100
hours200
hours
ITEM
3
months6
months6
months12
months
Spark plug Inspect, clean, adjust●●●●
4-14
Lubrication points Lubricate●●
4-15
Intermediate housing Lubricate❍
*1●
*2●
*2 4-18
Fuel system Inspect❍❍
4-9
Fuel filter Check, replace❍❍
4-10
Fuel tank Clean❍
4-10
Oil injection system Inspect, clean❍❍
4-11
Trolling speed Adjust●●
4-21
Carburetor throttle shaft Inspect❍❍
—
Cooling water passages Flush
●
(after
ever y
use)4-1
Bilge strainer Clean●●●
—
Impeller Inspect●●●
—
Steering cable Inspect●●
4-12
Steering master Inspect❍❍❍
—
QSTS mechanism Inspect●●
4-13
Shift cable and mechanism Inspect, adjust●●
4-12
Throttle cable Inspect, adjust●●
4-12
Choke cable Inspect, adjust●●
4-18
Stern drain plugs Inspect, replace●
3-7
Battery Inspect
●(inspect
fluid level
before
ever y
use)
4-19
Rubber coupling Inspect❍
—
Nuts and bolts Retighten❍❍❍
—

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Inspecting the fuel system
WARNING
Gasoline and its vapors are highly flam-
mable and explosive.
Check the fuel system for leaks, cracks,
or malfunctions. If any problem is found, do
the necessary repair or replacement as
required. If repair is necessary, consult a
Yamaha dealer.
Check:
●Carburetor for leakage.
●Fuel pump for malfunction or leakage.
●Fuel tank for water or dirt.
●Fuel tank for damage, cracks or leakage.
●Fuel hose joint for leakage.
●Fuel hose for cracks or other damage.
●Fuel filter for leakage.
●Fuel cock for leakage.
●Air vent check valve for leakage.
●Fuel tank filler cap for damage.
WARNING
Failure to check for and repair any fuel
leakage may result in fire or explosion.

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Fuel filter
This watercraft is equipped with a one-
piece, disposable fuel filter 1. The fuel filter
should be replaced once a year or after
every 200 hours of operation, or if water is
found in the filter. Have a Yamaha dealer
replace the fuel filter if necessary.
WARNING
Do not try to replace the fuel filter your-
self. An incorrectly installed filter can
leak gasoline, which could lead to fire or
explosion. If necessary, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the fuel filter.
EJU00540
Fuel tank
Check the fuel tank 1 for leakage or
water in the tank. If water is found in the fuel
system or if the fuel tank needs to be
cleaned have a Yamaha dealer service the
watercraft.

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EJU00544
Inspecting the oil injection
system
Check the oil injection system for leakage,
cracks, or malfunctions. If necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer repair the oil injection sys-
tem.
Check:
●Oil tank for damage, cracks or leakage.
●Oil tank for water or dirt.
●Oil hose and joint for damage or cracks.
●Oil filter for dirt.
●Oil pump for leakage.
Oil tank
Check the oil tank for leakage or water in
the tank. If water is found in the oil injection
system or if the oil tank needs to be cleaned
have a Yamaha dealer service the water-
craft.
Oil filter
Check the oil filter for dirt and clogs. If the
oil filter is clogged, remove it from the oil
tank together with the oil level sender and
clean it.