2003 YAMAHA FX Owners Manual

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EJU01081
Beaching the watercraft
1. Make sure no obstructions, boats or
swimmers are near the beach. Release
the throttle lever about 100 m (330 ft)
before you reach the intended beaching
area.
2. Approach the beach slowly and stop the
engine before reaching land.
Remember: you need throttle to steer.
3. Get off the watercraft and pull it up on
the beach.
CAUTION:@ Small pebbles, sand, seaweed, and other
debris can be pulled into the jet intake
and impair or damage the impeller.
Always stop the engine and get off
before beaching the watercraft.
EJU01082
Docking the watercraft
1. Make sure that no obstructions, boats or
swimmers are close to the watercraft.
Reduce speed about 100 m (330 ft)
away from the dock.
2. Slowly approach the dock and stop the
engine just before coming alongside it.
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EJU01254
Reverse on waterways
Reverse can be used for slow speed
maneuvering when it is necessary to back
up out of tight spots where you cannot turn
around. Reverse can only be used to slow
down or stop during low speed maneuver-
ing, such as when docking.
Once the engine is idling, shift to reverse
and gradually increase engine speed. Make
sure that there are no obstacles or people
behind you before shifting to reverse.
EJU01255
Rough water operation
The force of landing after jumping can
cause a strong impact on both the watercraft
and the operator and passengers. It is pos-
sible for the operator to hit his or her chest or
jaw on the watercraft body or handlebars
and be injured. Do not operate the water-
craft with your chin right above the handle-
bars or with your feet outside the watercraft.
Operating in rough water or jumping waves
can also crack the watercraft body or dam-
age internal parts. Avoid operating in rough
water or bad weather conditions.
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EJU01866
Post-operation checks
Always perform the following post-opera-
tion checks after operating the watercraft.
1. Remove the watercraft from the water.
2. Wash down the hull, handlebars, and jet
unit with fresh water.
3. Remove the seat and check the engine
compartment for water. To drain excess
water, remove the stern drain plugs, and
then raise the bow of the watercraft
enough to allow water in the bilge to
drain out.
NOTE:@ This watercraft is equipped with a jet vac-
uum bilge draining system and an electric
bilge draining system that remove water
from the engine compartment while you are
underway. However, some residual water will
remain. (See “Bilge” on page 3-9 for more
information.)
4. Put the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion.
5. Flush the cooling system to prevent it
from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt.
(See page 4-1 for flushing procedures.)
6. Drain residual water from the exhaust
system by alternately squeezing and
releasing the throttle lever for 10 to
15 seconds while the engine is running.
CAUTION:@ Do not run the engine for more than
15 seconds on land. The engine could
overheat.
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7. If the watercraft will be stored for a week
or more, lubricate internal engine com-
ponents to help prevent corrosion. (See
page 4-3 for lubrication procedures.)
8. Rinse the engine and engine compart-
ment with a small amount of water.
CAUTION:@ Do not use high pressure when rinsing
the engine or engine compartment as
severe engine damage could result.
9. Wipe the engine and engine compart-
ment dry with a clean cloth (repeat step 3,
if necessary).
10. Wipe the hull, handlebars, and jet unit
dry with a clean cloth.
11. Spray a rust inhibitor on metallic parts to
minimize corrosion.
12. Allow the engine compartment to air dry
completely before installing the seat.
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EJU01811
Transporting
When transporting the watercraft on a
trailer, secure the tie downs to the trailer
through the bow eye and stern eye.
CAUTION:@
Do not route ropes or tie downs over
the seat, as they may leave permanent
marks on the seat’s surface. Also,
wrap the ropes or tie downs with tow-
els or rags where they touch the body
of the watercraft to avoid scratching or
damage.

Before putting the watercraft on the
trailer or transporting it, be sure to put
the shift lever in the forward position,
otherwise the reverse gate may hit an
obstruction, which may cause dam-
age.
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–MEMO–
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4
EJU01086
MAINTENANCE AND
CARE
Storage ...................................................... 4-1
Flushing the cooling system .................. 4-1
Lubrication .............................................. 4-3
Fuel system ............................................ 4-4
Battery .................................................... 4-5
Cleaning the watercraft .......................... 4-6
Maintenance and adjustments .............. 4-7
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual and
tool kit ..................................................... 4-8
Periodic maintenance chart ................... 4-9
Inspecting the fuel system ................... 4-10
Changing the engine oil ....................... 4-11
Checking the air filter element ............. 4-13
Inspecting the jet thrust
nozzle angle ......................................... 4-14
Inspecting the shift cable ..................... 4-14
Inspecting and adjusting the
throttle cable ......................................... 4-14
Inspecting the QSTS mechanism ....... 4-15
Cleaning and adjusting the
spark plugs ........................................... 4-16
Lubrication points ................................. 4-18
Inspecting the battery .......................... 4-21
Adjusting the fuel injection system ...... 4-23
Replacing the fuse ............................... 4-24
Specifications ........................................ 4-25
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EJU18121
Storage
WARNING@ Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, oth-
erwise fuel could leak out into the engine
or engine compartment, which could
result in a fire hazard.
@
Storage for prolonged periods of time,
such as winter storage, requires preventa-
tive maintenance to ensure against deterio-
ration. It is advisable to have the watercraft
serviced by a Yamaha dealer prior to stor-
age. However, the following procedures can
be performed by the owner.
EJU01813
Flushing the cooling system
Flushing the cooling system is essential
to prevent the cooling system from being
clogged with salt, sand, or dirt.
CAUTION:@
Do not supply water to the cooling
water passages when the engine is not
running. The water could flow back
through the muffler into the crankcase
causing severe engine damage.

Do not run the engine for more 15 sec-
onds without supplying water, other-
wise the engine may overheat.
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