2003 YAMAHA FX steering

3-30
E
WARNING@
Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—you
need throttle to steer. A collision could
result in severe injury or death.

When operating at higher speeds,
make gradual turns or slow down
before turning. Sharp high-speed turns
may cause the watercraft to slide side-
ways or spin, throwing the operator
and passengers overboard which
could cause an injury.
@
This model has the Yamaha Engine Man-
agement System (YEMS) that includes an
Off-Throttle Steering (OTS) system. It will
activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releas-
ing the throttle lever (see condition C
above). The OTS system assists in turning
by continuing to supply some thrust while
the watercraft is decelerating, but you can
turn more sharply if you apply throttle while
turning the handlebars. The OTS system
does not function below planing speeds or
when the engine is off. Once the engine
slows down, the watercraft will no longer
turn in response to handlebar input until you
apply throttle again or you reach trolling
speed.
UF1B71.book Page 30 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

4-9
E
EJU01355
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.
PMC-F1B1(
) This mark indicates maintenance that you may do yourself.
(
❍) This mark indicates work to be done by a Yamaha dealer.
MAINTENANCE INTERVAL
INITIALTHEREAFTER
EVERYPA G E
10
hours50
hours100
hours100
hours200
hours
ITEM
6
months12
months12
months24
months
Spark plug Inspect, clean, adjust



4-16
Lubrication points Lubricate


4-18
Intermediate housing Lubricate❍
*1

*2

*2 4-20
Fuel system Inspect❍❍
4-10
Fuel tank Clean❍❍
4-10
Trolling speed Inspect, adjust❍❍❍
4-23
Throttle shaft Inspect❍❍
—
Cooling water passages Flush

*3 4-1
Water inlet strainer Inspect, clean❍❍
—
Bilge strainer Clean❍❍
—
Electric bilge pump strainer Inspect, clean❍❍
—
Impeller Inspect

*4❍❍
—
Jet thrust nozzle angle Inspect


4-14
Steering master Inspect❍❍❍
—
QSTS mechanism Inspect, adjust

*4❍❍
4-15
Shift cable and mechanism Inspect, adjust

*4❍❍
4-14
Throttle lever Check operation

*4 3-12
Throttle cable Inspect, adjust❍❍
4-14
Stern drain plugs Inspect, replace

*4❍❍
3-9
Battery Inspect

*5❍❍
—
Rubber coupling Inspect❍
—
Engine mount Inspect❍
—
Nuts and bolts Inspect❍❍❍
—
Air filter Inspect❍

4-13
Engine oil Replace❍❍❍
4-11
Engine oil filter Replace❍
—
Valve clearance Inspect, adjust❍
—
*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)
*3: After every use
*4: Before every use
*5: Inspect fluid level before every use
UF1B71.book Page 9 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

4-18
E
EJU01822
Lubrication points
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, coat them with water-resistant
grease.
Recommended water-resistant grease:
Yamaha Marine Grease/
Yamaha Grease A

Throttle cable (throttle body end)

Throttle cable (handlebar end)
Pull the throttle lever and remove the
seal1. Spray a rust inhibitor into the
outer cable. Refit the seal securely.

Steering cable (handlebar end)
UF1B71.book Page 18 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

4-19
E

Steering cable (nozzle end)

Nozzle pivot shaft

QSTS cable (nozzle end)

QSTS cables (pulley end)

QSTS cables (handlebar end)
Remove the QSTS cable housing. Spray
a rust inhibitor into the outer cable.
Reinstall the QSTS cable housing.

Shift cable (lever end)
UF1B71.book Page 19 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

6-2
E
L
Label location .......................................... 1-4
Launching the watercraft ....................... 3-17
Learning to operate your watercraft ...... 3-21
Leaving the watercraft ........................... 3-20
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft ........................................ 1-11
Location of main components ................. 2-1
Lubrication............................................... 4-3
Lubrication points .................................. 4-18
M
Maintenance and adjustments ................ 4-7
Manufactured date label.......................... 1-3
Multifunction meter ....................... 2-15, 3-15
O
Oil pressure warning indicator............... 2-18
Operating your watercraft...................... 3-21
Operation .............................................. 3-16
Operation of controls and other
functions .................................................. 2-5
Operation requirements ........................ 1-13
Other labels ............................................. 1-9
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual and
tool kit ...................................................... 4-8
P
Periodic maintenance chart..................... 4-9
Post-operation checks........................... 3-34
Pre-operation check list........................... 3-5
Pre-operation check points ..................... 3-6
Pre-operation checks .............................. 3-5
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number .................................................... 1-1
Q
Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS)
selector.................................................. 2-13
R
Rear seat................................................. 2-5
Recommended equipment .................... 1-15
Replacing the fuse ................................ 4-24
Reverse on waterways .......................... 3-33
Riding watercraft with passengers ........ 3-22
Rough water operation .......................... 3-33S
Safe boating rules ................................. 1-19
Safety information ................................. 1-11
Seat storage compartment .................... 2-21
Shift lever .............................................. 2-12
Shift lever and reverse gate .................. 3-13
Specifications ........................................ 4-25
Speedometer......................................... 2-16
Starting and boarding in shallow
water ..................................................... 3-24
Starting from a dock .............................. 3-24
Starting the engine ................................ 3-18
Starting the watercraft ........................... 3-23
Start switch.............................................. 2-9
Steering system ...........................2-10, 3-12
Stopping the engine .............................. 3-20
Stopping the watercraft ......................... 3-31
Storage.................................................... 4-1
Storage compartments .......................... 2-20
Submerged watercraft ............................. 5-8
Switches ................................................ 3-15
T
Tachometer ........................................... 2-16
Throttle .................................................. 3-12
Throttle lever ........................................... 2-8
Tilt lever ................................................. 2-11
Towing the watercraft .............................. 5-7
Transporting .......................................... 3-36
Troubleshooting ...................................... 5-1
Troubleshooting chart ............................. 5-1
Turning the watercraft ........................... 3-29
W
Warning labels ........................................ 1-5
Watercraft characteristics ...................... 1-16
Water separator ...................................... 3-8
Water-skiing .......................................... 1-17
Y
Yamaha Engine Management
System (YEMS) ..................................... 2-15
UF1B71.book Page 2 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM