2001 YAMAHA XL 800 steering

1-16
E
●When preparing to pull a skier, operate
the watercraft at the slowest possible
speed until the watercraft is well away
from the skier and slack in the towrope is
taken up. Make sure that the rope is not
looped around anything.
After checking that the skier is ready and
that there is no traffic or other obstacles,
apply enough throttle to raise the skier.
●Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft
is capable of very sharp turns, which
could exceed the abilities of the skier.
Keep the skier at least 50 m (150 ft),
about twice the distance of a standard
towrope, from any potential hazard.
●Be aler t to the hazard of the towrope han-
dle snapping back at the watercraft when
the skier falls or is unable to get up on the
skis.
●Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
skiers, such as another boat or watercraft,
can cause loss of steering control and
create a hazardous condition. If you must
tow another boat in an emergency situa-
tion, operate slowly and cautiously.
EJU00319
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally consid-
ered a powerboat. Operation of the water-
craft must be in accordance with the rules
and regulations governing the waterway on
which it is used.
E_F0P71-1.fm Page 16 Tuesday, July 18, 2000 7:10 PM

E
2
EJU00326
FEATURES AND
FUNCTIONS
Location of main components............... 2-1
Operation of controls and other
functions.................................................... 2-5
Rear seat................................................. 2-5
Front seat ................................................ 2-6
Hood ........................................................ 2-7
Fuel tank filler cap ................................... 2-8
Oil tank filler cap...................................... 2-8
Fuel cock knob........................................ 2-9
Engine stop switch ................................ 2-10
Engine shut-off switch........................... 2-10
Choke knob ........................................... 2-10
Throttle lever ......................................... 2-11
Start switch............................................ 2-11
Cooling water pilot outlet ...................... 2-12
Steering system .................................... 2-12
Tilt lever ................................................. 2-13
Shift lever .............................................. 2-14
Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS)
selector .................................................. 2-15
Engine overheat warning system ......... 2-17
Handgrip................................................ 2-18
Multifunction meter................................ 2-19
PADLOC (Programmable digital locking
ignition) .................................................. 2-20
Tachometer ........................................... 2-22
Speedometer ........................................ 2-23
Fuel meter ............................................. 2-23
Engine oil meter .................................... 2-24
Clock ..................................................... 2-24
Hour meter ............................................ 2-25
Trip timer ............................................... 2-25
Tripmeter ............................................... 2-26
Fuel warning indicator........................... 2-26
Oil warning indicator ............................. 2-27
Engine overheat warning indicator....... 2-27
Battery warning indicator ...................... 2-28
Storage compartments ......................... 2-29
E_F0P71-2TOC.fm Page 1 Tuesday, July 18, 2000 7:12 PM

2-12
E
EJU00354
Cooling water pilot outlet
This watercraft is equipped with cooling
water pilot outlets.
When the engine is running, cooling
water is circulated in the engine, and then it
is discharged from the pilot outlets.
To check for proper operation of the cool-
ing system, check that water is being dis-
charged from the pilot outlets. If water is not
being discharged from the outlets, cooling
water may not be circulating in the engine.
When this occurs, stop the engine and check
for the cause. (See pages 2-17 and 5-4 for
further instructions.)
NOTE:
If the cooling water passages are dry, it will
take about 20 seconds for the water to reach
the outlets after the engine is started.
EJU00356
Steering system
Your watercraft can be steered by turning
the handlebars 1 the same direction you
wish to travel.
When the handlebars are turned, the
angle of the jet thrust nozzle 2 is changed,
and the direction of the watercraft is
changed accordingly. Since the strength of
the jet thrust determines the speed and
direction of a turn, the throttle must always
be open when attempting a turn, except at
trolling speed.
E_F0P71-2.fm Page 12 Tuesday, July 18, 2000 8:20 PM

3-5
E
EJU00422
Pre-operation checks
Pre-operation check list
Before operating this watercraft, perform the checks in the following check list. See the
accompanying text in this chapter for details on how to perform the checks.
WARNING
If any item in the pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected
and repaired before operating the watercraft, otherwise an accident could occur.
NOTE:
Pre-operation checks should be made thoroughly each time the watercraft is used. This pro-
cedure can be completed in a short time. It is worth the time spent to assure safety and reli-
ability.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Engine compartment Remove all seats and front storage compart-
ment to ventilate engine compartment. Check for
fuel vapors or loose electrical connections3-6
Bilge Check for water and fuel residue and remove if
necessary3-7
Throttle Check that the throttle lever springs back 3-10
Steering system Check for proper steering system operation 3-10
Shift lever and reverse gate Check for proper operation 3-11
Fuel and oil Check fuel and oil level and add if necessary
Check hoses and tanks for leakage3-6
Water separator Check for water and drain if necessary 3-7
Battery Check electrolyte level and battery condition 3-8
Front and rear seats Check that the seats are properly secured 2-5, 2-6
Hull/Deck Check the hull and deck for cracks or other dam-
age—
Jet unit Check for debris and remove if necessary 3-12
Fire extinguisher Check the condition and replace if necessary 3-9
Engine shut-off cord Check condition and replace is frayed or broken 3-12
Switches Check the start switch, engine stop switch and
engine shut-off switch for proper operation when
the watercraft is in the water3-13
Cooling water pilot outlet Check that water is discharged while the engine
is running and the watercraft is in the water3-13
Multifunction meter Check for warning indications and proper opera-
tion3-13
E_F0P71-3.fm Page 5 Tuesday, July 18, 2000 7:16 PM

3-10
E
EJU00447
Throttle
Squeeze and release the throttle lever
several times to make sure that there is no
hesitation in its travel. It should be smooth
over the complete range, and spring back to
the idle position when released.
WARNING
Before starting the engine, always check
the operation of the throttle lever. It
should move smoothly through its full
range of operation, and should spring
back to the idle position when released.
EJU00448
Steering system
Check for looseness in the handlebars.
Turn them as far as possible to the right
and left to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout the
whole range. Make sure that the jet thrust
nozzle also changes directions as the han-
dlebars are turned, and that there is no free
play between the handlebars and the jet
thrust nozzle.
Check that the tilt adjustment is locked in
position. (See Tilt lever on page 2-13.)
E_F0P71-3.fm Page 10 Tuesday, July 18, 2000 7:16 PM

3-28
E
A
B
C
D
EJU00499
Turning the watercraft
Steering control depends on the combi-
nation of handlebar position and the amount
of throttle.
Water sucked in through the intake grate
is pressurized by the impeller in the jet
pump. As the pressurized water is expelled
from the pump through the jet thrust nozzle,
it creates thrust to move and steer the
watercraft. The higher the engine speed, the
more thrust is produced.
The amount of jet thrust, in addition to the
position of the handlebars, determines how
sharply you turn.
A. More throttle produces higher thrust, so
the watercraft will turn more sharply.
B. Less throttle produces lower thrust, so
the watercraft will turn more gradually.
C. Releasing the throttle completely pro-
duces only minimum thrust. If you are
traveling at speeds above trolling, you
will have rapidly decreasing ability to
steer without throttle. You may still have
some turning ability immediately after
releasing the throttle, but once the
engine slows down, the watercraft will no
longer respond to handlebar input until
you apply throttle again or you reach a
trolling speed.
At trolling speed, the watercraft can be
turned gradually by handlebar position
alone using just the amount of thrust
available at idle.
D. If the engine is stopped while riding,
there is no thrust. The watercraft will go
straight even though the handlebars are
turned.
You need throttle to steer.
E_F0P71-3.fm Page 28 Tuesday, July 18, 2000 7:16 PM

E
4
EJU00515
MAINTENANCE AND
CARE
Storage....................................................... 4-1
Flushing the cooling system ................... 4-1
Lubrication............................................... 4-3
Fuel system............................................. 4-4
Battery ..................................................... 4-4
Cleaning the watercraft........................... 4-5
Maintenance and adjustments............... 4-6
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual and tool
kit ............................................................. 4-7
Periodic maintenance chart .................... 4-8
Inspecting the fuel system ...................... 4-9
Inspecting the oil injection system........ 4-11
Inspecting the steering cable................ 4-12
Inspecting the shift cable ...................... 4-12
Inspecting and adjusting the throttle
cable ...................................................... 4-12
Inspecting the QSTS mechanism ........ 4-13
Cleaning and adjusting the spark
plugs ...................................................... 4-14
Lubrication points .................................. 4-15
Adjusting the choke cable..................... 4-18
Inspecting the battery ........................... 4-19
Adjusting the carburetor ....................... 4-21
Replacing the fuse ................................ 4-22
Bleeding the oil injection pump............. 4-22
Specifications......................................... 4-23
E_F0P71-4TOC.fm Page 1 Tuesday, July 18, 2000 7:17 PM

4-3
E
EJU00526a
Lubrication
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or explosion:
Never pour or spray gasoline, or any sub-
stance other than engine fogging oil
through the holes in the carburetor
silencer cover.
CAUTION:
●Be sure to replace the caps securely
after fogging the engine. Otherwise
water could enter the engine and
cause damage.
●Do not attempt to run the engine at full
throttle or for more than 15 seconds
while the watercraft is out of the water,
otherwise the engine may overheat
and/or seize.
1. Open the silencer cap 1 on the silencer
by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Start the engine with the watercraft in a
well-ventilated area.
3. With the engine running at a fast idle,
quickly spray as much fogging oil as pos-
sible through the hole in the silencer
cover. Keep spraying until the engine
stalls (or a maximum of 15 seconds).
4. Install the cap securely.
5. Remove the spark plugs and pour
approximately one tablespoon of engine
oil into each cylinder. Grease the spark
plug threads and install the spark plugs.
6. Crank the engine for 3 seconds.
7. Lubricate all cables such as the throttle,
choke, and steering cables.
8. Lubricate the areas of the watercraft
specified under Lubrication points on
page 4-15.
E_F0P71-4.fm Page 3 Tuesday, July 18, 2000 7:17 PM