2003 YAMAHA FX Owners Manual

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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3-9
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EJU01804
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.
UF1B71.book Page 9 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

3-10
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EJU01969
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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3-11
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EJU01864
Fire extinguisher
Check that there is a full fire extinguisher
on board. The fire extinguisher container 1
is located in the seat storage compartment.
To open the fire extinguisher container
cap 2, turn it counterclockwise.
After inserting the fire extinguisher make
sure that the container cap is tightened
securely.
NOTE:@
See the instructions supplied by the fire
extinguisher manufacturer for checking
the fire extinguisher. Always keep the
extinguisher in the fire extinguisher con-
tainer.

Always carry a fire extinguisher on board.
A fire extinguisher is not standard equip-
ment with this watercraft. If you do not
have one, contact a Yamaha dealer or a
fire extinguisher dealer to obtain one
meeting the proper specifications.
UF1B71.book Page 11 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

3-12
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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.)
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3-13
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EJU01245
Shift lever and reverse gate
Check for proper operation of the shift
lever and reverse gate.
Make sure that the reverse gate goes
down to its stopper position when the shift
lever is pulled up.
Also, make sure that the reverse gate
goes up to its stopper position when shift
lever is pushed down.
WARNING@
Make sure that the throttle is com-
pletely released and that the engine is
at idle before shifting into reverse.

Do not use the reverse function to
slow down or stop the watercraft as it
could cause you to lose control, be
ejected, or impact the handlebars.

Use reverse for slow-speed maneuver-
ing only.

Make sure that there are no obstacles
or people behind you before shifting
into reverse.

Do not touch the reverse gate while the
shift lever is being operated, otherwise
you could be pinched.
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3-14
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EJU01058
Jet unit
Carefully check the jet intake for weeds,
debris, or anything else that might restrict
the intake of water. If the intake is clogged,
cavitation could occur, reducing jet thrust,
and possibly damaging the jet pump.
In some cases, the engine may overheat
because of lack of cooling water, and dam-
age to the engine could result. Engine cool-
ing water is fed to the engine by the jet
pump. (See page 5-3 for jet intake cleaning
procedures.)
WARNING@
Keep away from intake grate while
engine is on. Items such as long hair,
loose clothing, or PFD straps can
become entangled in moving parts
resulting in severe injury or drowning.

Stop the engine and remove the clip
from the engine shut-off switch before
removing any debris or weeds, which
may have collected around the jet
intake.
EJU01059
Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
Check that the engine shut-off cord is not
frayed or broken. If the cord is damaged,
replace it; never try to repair it or tie it
together.
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3-15
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EJU01835
Switches
Check the start switch 1, the engine stop
switch 2, and the engine shut-off switch 3
for proper operation.
To check these switches, place the water-
craft in the water to provide adequate cooling.
Start the engine, and then pull the engine
shut-off cord 5 to remove the clip 4 from the
engine shut-off switch. Verify that the engine
stops immediately. (See pages 2-7 to 2-9 for
information on proper operation of the start
switch, the engine stop switch and the engine
shut-off switch.)
EJU01806
Cooling water pilot outlet
Check that water comes out from the port
(left) pilot water outlet while the engine is
running and the watercraft is in the water.
(See page 2-9 for further instructions.)
EJU01246
Multifunction meter
Check the operation of the multifunction
meter. (See pages 2-15 to 2-19 for operation
of the meter.)
UF1B71.book Page 15 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM