2003 YAMAHA FX lock

3-12
E
EJU01834
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

3-21
E
EJU01068
Operating your watercraft
EJU01250
Getting to know your
watercraft
Operating your watercraft requires skills
acquired through practice over a period of
time. Take the time to learn the basic tech-
niques well before attempting more difficult
maneuvers.
Operating your new watercraft can be a
very enjoyable activity, providing you with
hours of pleasure. However, it is essential to
familiarize yourself with the operation of the
watercraft to achieve the skill level neces-
sary to enjoy riding safely. Before operating
this watercraft, read this Owner’s/Operator’s
Manual, the Riding Practice Guide, and all
warning and caution labels on the water-
craft. Pay particular attention to the safety
information on pages 1-11 to 1-18. These
materials should give you an understanding
of the watercraft and its operation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and up to 2 passengers.
Never exceed the maximum load limit or
allow more than 3 persons (or 2 persons if a
water-skier is being pulled) to ride the water-
craft at one time.
EJU01070
Learning to operate your
watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always
perform the pre-operation checks listed on
page 3-5. The short time spent checking the
watercraft will reward you with added safety
and reliability.
Check all local laws before operating your
watercraft.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft. Select a wide
area to learn in, where you have good visi-
bility and light boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with
someone nearby. Scan constantly for peo-
ple, objects, and other watercraft. Be alert
for conditions that limit your visibility or block
your vision of others.
Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your wrist and keep it free from the han-
dlebars so that the engine stops if the opera-
tor falls off.
Wear a personal flotation device (PFD).
All riders must wear an authority-approved
PFD that is suitable for personal watercraft
use. Maximum load: 240 kg (530 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, opera-
tor and passengers.
UF1B71.book Page 21 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

3-23
E
EJU01837
Starting the watercraft
WARNING@
Scan constantly for people, objects,
and other watercraft. Be alert for con-
ditions that limit your visibility or block
your vision of others.

Operate defensively at safe speeds
and keep a safe distance away from
people, objects, and other watercraft.

Do not follow directly behind water-
craft or other boats. Do not go near
others to spray or splash them with
water. Avoid sharp turns or other
maneuvers that make it hard for others
to avoid you or understand where you
are going. Avoid areas with sub-
merged objects or shallow water.

Take early action to avoid collisions.
Remember watercraft and other boats
do not have brakes. Do not release the
throttle when trying to steer away from
objects—you need throttle to steer.

Practice reboarding in shallow water
before riding in deep water.
UF1B71.book Page 23 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

3-28
E
CAUTION:@ If the watercraft capsizes, release the
throttle lever immediately. Oil could flow
into the air filter case and the engine
could be damaged.
1. Remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.
2. Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Pull
the watercraft over with your left hand on
the ride plate while pushing down on the
gunwale with your right hand and foot.
NOTE:@ If the port (left) side of the capsized water-
craft is tilting upward, first tilt the watercraft
so the port (left) side is down by using your
weight to press down on the gunwale.
CAUTION:@ Do not turn the watercraft over counter-
clockwise, otherwise water may leak into
the engine and cause damage.
3. Start the engine, and then head for
shore to inspect the engine for water
damage.
UF1B71.book Page 28 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

4-3
E
EJU01898
Lubrication
WARNING@ Do not spray flammable rust inhibitor
products on engine surfaces while the
engine is hot. The sprayed substance or
propellants could catch fire.
@
1. Remove the rear and front seats. (See
pages 2-5 to 2-6 for seat removal and
installation procedures.)
2. Remove the air filter case cover
screws1, slide the locks 2 open, and
then remove the case cover.
3. Remove the air filter case cover and air
filter element.
4. Spray a rust inhibitor into each intake
opening 3 for 3 seconds.
5. Install the air filter element and air filter
case cover.
6. Start the engine in a well-ventilated area
and let it run at idle for 15 seconds.
CAUTION:@ Do not run the engine for more than
15 seconds. The engine could overheat.
@
7. Lubricate all cables such as the throttle
and steering cables.
NOTE:@ Use a suitable marine grease applicator to
pressure lubricate the cables and purge out
any moisture between the inner and outer
cables.
@
8. Lubricate the areas of the watercraft
specified under Lubrication points on
page 4-18.
UF1B71.book Page 3 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

4-13
E
EJU01819
Checking the air filter element
The air filter element should be checked
every 12 months or every 100 hours of oper-
ation.
To check the air filter:
1. Remove the rear and front seats. (See
pages 2-5 and 2-6 for seat removal and
installation procedures.)
2. Remove the air filter case cover
screws1, slide the locks 2 open, and
then remove the case cover.
3. Remove the air filter element and check
it for dirt and oil. Replace the air filter ele-
ment if there is any oil buildup, or every
2 years or every 200 hours of operation.
4. Install the air filter element in the air filter
case, and then install the case cover.
CAUTION:@
Make sure that the air filter element is
installed in the filter case properly.

Do not start the engine with the air fil-
ter element removed, otherwise the
pistons and cylinders could be dam-
aged.

If cleaning the air filter element, use
cold or lukewarm water and let it air
dry completely. Do not use detergent
or solvent to clean the air filter ele-
ment, or dry it with heat or com-
pressed air, otherwise it could be
damaged.
UF1B71.book Page 13 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

4-14
E
EJU01897
Inspecting the jet thrust nozzle
angle
Check for smooth operation of the handle-
bars and jet thrust nozzle.
Turn the handlebars as far as possible to
the right and left and check that the distance
between the jet thrust nozzle and the
bracket of the reverse gate are equal on
right and left sides.
If steering is stiff or misadjusted, have a
Yamaha dealer service it.
EJU01852
Inspecting the shift cable
Place the shift lever in the reverse posi-
tion.
Make sure that the reverse gate makes
contact with the stopper 1 on the bracket,
and that the arm 2 makes contact with the
reverse gate.
If the reverse gate does not reach the cor-
rect positions, have a Yamaha dealer ser-
vice it.
EJU01104
Inspecting and adjusting the
throttle cable
Check that the throttle cable moves back
to the set position smoothly and that free
play is within specification.
1. Squeeze and release the throttle lever. If
the lever does not return smoothly, have
a Yamaha dealer service it.
2. Adjust free play a by loosening the lock-
nut 1 and turning the adjuster 2. Distance A and B: A = B
Throttle lever free play:
4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in)
UF1B71.book Page 14 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

4-15
E
EJU01842
Inspecting the QSTS
mechanism
Check that the shift lock lever moves back
to the lock position smoothly, that the QSTS
selector locks and unlocks properly, and that
the jet thrust nozzle moves up or down.
1. Squeeze and release the shift lock lever.
2. Check that the QSTS selector locks
when the lever is released.
3. Check that the selector turns smoothly
when the lever is squeezed and held in
place.
4. Check that the angle of the jet thrust
nozzle changes when the selector is
shifted from neutral to bow up or bow
down.
If the mechanism does not work properly,
have a Yamaha dealer service it.
UF1B71.book Page 15 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM