2003 YAMAHA FX check engine

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3
EJU01040
OPERATION
Fuel and oil ............................................... 3-1
Gasoline ................................................. 3-1
Engine oil ................................................ 3-3
Filling the fuel tank ................................. 3-4
Pre-operation checks .............................. 3-5
Pre-operation check list ......................... 3-5
Pre-operation check points .................... 3-6
Operation ................................................ 3-16
Engine break-in .................................... 3-16
Launching the watercraft ..................... 3-17
Starting the engine ............................... 3-18
Stopping the engine ............................. 3-20
Leaving the watercraft ......................... 3-20
Operating your watercraft .................... 3-21
Getting to know your watercraft ........... 3-21
Learning to operate your watercraft .... 3-21
Riding watercraft with passengers ...... 3-22
Starting the watercraft .......................... 3-23
Boarding and starting in deep water ... 3-25
Capsized watercraft ............................. 3-27
Turning the watercraft .......................... 3-29
Stopping the watercraft ........................ 3-31
Beaching the watercraft ....................... 3-32
Docking the watercraft ......................... 3-32
Reverse on waterways ........................ 3-33
Rough water operation ........................ 3-33
Post-operation checks ......................... 3-34
Transporting .......................................... 3-36
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3-5
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Pre-operation checks
EJU01347
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 to ventilate engine compart-
ment. Check for fuel vapors or loose electrical
connections3-6
Bilge Check for water and fuel residue and remove if
necessary3-9
Throttle Check that the throttle lever springs back 3-12
Steering system Check for proper steering system operation 3-12
Shift lever and reverse gate Check for proper operation 3-13
Fuel Check fuel level and add if necessary
Check hoses and tank for leakage3-6
Engine oil Check oil level and add if necessary 3-7
Water separator Check for water and drain if necessary 3-8
Battery Check electrolyte level and battery condition 3-10
Front and rear seats Check that the seats are properly secured 2-5, 6
Hull/Deck Check the hull and deck for cracks or other dam-
age—
Jet unit Check for debris and remove if necessary 3-14
Fire extinguisher Check the condition and replace if necessary 3-11
Engine shut-off cord Check condition and replace is frayed or broken 3-14
Switches Check the start switch, engine stop switch and
engine shut-off switch for proper operation when
the watercraft is in the water3-15
Cooling water pilot outlet Check that water is discharged while the engine
is running and the watercraft is in the water3-15
Multifunction meter Check for warning indications and proper opera-
tion3-15
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3-6
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EJU01048
Pre-operation check points
EJU01878
Engine compartment
Ventilate the engine compar tment before
each use.
To ventilate the engine compartment
remove the rear and front seats. (See pages
2-5 and 2-6 for seat removal and installation
procedures.) Allow the engine compartment
to remain open for a few minutes to allow
any fuel vapors to escape. Also, check for
loose electrical connections.
WARNING@ Failure to ventilate the engine compart-
ment could result in fire or explosion. Do
not start the engine if there is a fuel leak
or a loose electrical connection.
EJU01802
Fuel level
Check the fuel system for leakage, cracks
or malfunctions before each use. (See page
4-10 for check points and correct proce-
dures.)
1. Remove the fuel tank filler cap to release
any pressure that might have built up in
the fuel tank.
2. Remove the rear and front seats. (See
pages 2-5 and 2-6 for seat removal and
installation procedures.)
3. Check the fuel level in the tank and
replenish if necessary. (See page 3-4 for
filling instructions.)
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Engine oil level
Check the engine oil level before each
use.
CAUTION:@
Be sure to check the engine oil level
before operating the watercraft for the
first time.

Do not run the engine with too much or
not enough oil in the oil tank. Oil could
flow into the air filter case and the
engine could be damaged.
@
Checking the engine oil level:
1. Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion.
2. Remove the rear and front seats. (See
pages 2-5 and 2-6 for seat removal and
installation procedures.)
3. Remove the oil tank filler cap 1 and
check that the oil level is at least at the
minimum level mark 2 on the dipstick.
4. If the oil level is below the minimum level
mark, pour enough oil so that the oil level
is at the minimum level mark on the dip-
stick, and then install the filler cap. If the
oil level is at the minimum level mark, the
watercraft can be operated normally. If
adding engine oil to the oil tank, it is rec-
ommended to the check the oil level
again as follows.
NOTE:@ The oil level on the dipstick raises approxi-
mately 60 mm (2.4 in) per 1 L (1.1 US qt,
0.9 Imp qt) of engine oil added to the oil
tank.
@
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3-8
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Checking the engine oil level again:
1. Launch the watercraft, and then start the
engine.
2. Run the engine at 7,000 r/min for
5 minutes or more and at trolling speed
for 2–3 minutes, and then turn the
engine off.
3. Remove the oil tank filler cap, wipe the
dipstick clean, insert it back into the filler
hole, and then remove it again to check
the oil level.
4. If the engine oil is below the minimum
level mark, add sufficient oil of the rec-
ommended type to raise it to the correct
level. If the engine oil is above the maxi-
mum level mark 3, extract sufficient oil
to lower it to the correct level.
NOTE:@
The engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.

To check the engine oil level accurately,
be sure to adequately warm the engine
up.
@
EJU01961
Water separator
Check the water separator 1 for water.
Normally the water separator is empty. The
water separator retains any water entering
through the fuel tank breather hose if the
watercraft is capsized.
If water remains in the water separator,
drain it by removing the drain screw 2.
Place a drain pan under the water separator
to catch the draining water or use a dry cloth
to soak up any water that could spill into the
watercraft. If any water spills into the water-
craft, be sure to wipe it up with a dry cloth.
Be sure to install the drain screw after drain-
ing the water separator.
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Bilge
Check for moisture and fuel residue in the
bilge.
This watercraft is equipped with a conven-
tional jet vacuum bilge draining system and
an electric bilge draining system. The elec-
tric bilge draining system is operated when
the engine is running. When excess water
reaches the water inlet of the electric bilge
pump, the water is discharged from the elec-
tric bilge pilot outlet 1 at the stern.
A small quantity of water will remain in the
bilge and should be removed manually. To
remove any residual water, perform the fol-
lowing procedure.
CAUTION:@ If starting the engine after it has cap-
sized, do not operate the engine at full
open throttle when water is being dis-
charged from the electric bilge pilot out-
let at the stern. Excessive water in the
bilge can splash into the engine which
could cause damage.
To remove water from the bilge:
1. Remove the stern drain plugs.
2. Raise the bow of the watercraft until the
water drains.
3. After the water has drained, wipe the
bilge with dry rags to make sure that the
bilge is thoroughly dry.
4. Install the drain plugs.
CAUTION:@
Make sure that the stern drain plugs
are tightened securely before launch-
ing the watercraft.

Clean any foreign materials, such as
dirt or sand, from the drain plug
threads before installing the drain
plugs.
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3-10
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Battery
Check the battery condition and the elec-
trolyte level.
Check that the battery leads are tightened
securely and there is no corrosion on the
battery terminals.
WARNING@
The battery must always be fully
charged and in good condition. Loss
of battery power may leave you
stranded. Never operate the watercraft
if the battery does not have sufficient
power to start the engine or if it shows
any other signs of decreased power.

Be sure to connect the breather hose
to the battery. Fire or explosion could
result if the breather hose is damaged,
obstructed, or not connected properly.
@
Make sure that the battery is securely
held in place.
1
Positive (+): Red lead
2
Negative (–): Black lead
3
Breather hose
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3-12
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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.
EJU01848
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 handlebars are locked in
position. (See “Tilt lever” on page 2-11 for
more information.)
UF1B71.book Page 12 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM