Maintenance and care
66
EJU33490
Storage
WARNING
EWJ00330
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create a
fire hazard.
Storage for long periods of time, such as win-
ter storage, requires preventive maintenance
to ensure against deterioration. It is advisable
to have the watercraft serviced by a Yamaha
dealer prior to storage. However, the following
procedures can be performed by the owner.
EJU33541Flushing the cooling system
Flushing the cooling system is essential to
prevent it from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt.
CAUTION:
ECJ00121
Do not supply water to the cooling water
passages when the engine is not run-
ning. The water could flow back through
the muffler into the crankcase, causing
severe engine damage.
Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds without supplying water or
over 4000 r/min on land, otherwise the
engine could overheat.
(1) Remove the watercraft from the water
and place it in a horizontal position.
(2) Remove the seat. (See page 26 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(3) Remove the flushing hose connector
cap, and then insert the garden hoseadapter into the flushing hose connector
and turn it until it is securely connected.
(4) Connect the garden hose adapter to a
water tap using a garden hose.
NOTE:
A garden hose is not included and must be
purchased separately.
(5) Start the engine, and then immediately
turn the water supply on until water flows
out continually from the jet thrust nozzle.
(6) Run the engine at idling speed for about
3 minutes watching the engine condition.
If the engine stops while flushing, turn the
water supply off immediately and repeat
the above steps.
(7) Turn the water supply off, and then force
the remaining water out of the cooling
1Flushing hose connector cap
2Garden hose adapter
3Flushing hose connector
UF1K72E0.book Page 66 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Maintenance and care
69
(2) Rinse the engine and bilge area with
fresh water. Drain all of the water and
wipe up any remaining moisture with
clean, dry rags.
CAUTION:
ECJ00110
Do not use high-pressure water when rins-
ing the engine and bilge area as severe en-
gine damage could result.
(3) Spray the engine’s exterior with a rust in-
hibitor and lubricant.
(4) Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
(5) Wipe all vinyl and rubber components,
such as the seat and engine compart-
ment seals, with a vinyl protectant.
EJU33761
Maintenance and adjustments
Periodic inspection, adjustment, and lubrica-
tion will keep your watercraft in the safest and
most efficient condition possible. Safety is an
obligation of the watercraft owner. Proper
maintenance must be carried out to keep the
exhaust emission and sound levels within the
regulated limits. The most important points of
watercraft inspection, adjustment, and lubri-
cation are explained on the following pages.
See a Yamaha dealer for genuine Yamaha re-
placement parts and optional accessories de-
signed for your watercraft.
Remember, failures that are the result of the
installation of parts or accessories which are
not qualitatively equivalent to genuine
Yamaha parts are not covered by the limited
warranty.
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the
emission control devices and system may
be performed by any marine SI engine re-
pair establishment or individual. Warranty
repair, however, must be performed at an
authorized Yamaha marine dealership.
WARNING
EWJ00310
Be sure to shut the engine off when you
perform maintenance unless otherwise
specified, otherwise an accident or inju-
ry could result from unexpected opera-
tion, moving parts, or electric shock. If
the owner is not familiar with watercraft
servicing, this work should be done by a
Yamaha dealer. Improperly serviced
components could fail or stop operating
correctly, which could result in an acci-
dent.
Modifications to this watercraft not ap-
proved by Yamaha may cause loss of
performance or excessive noise and ex-
haust emissions, or render it unsafe for
UF1K72E0.book Page 69 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Maintenance and care
70
use. Consult a Yamaha dealer before at-
tempting any modifications.
EJU33810Owner’s/operator’s manual and tool
kit
It is advisable to always carry the owner’s/op-
erator’s manual and tool kit with you whenev-
er you use the watercraft. For your
convenience, a storage compartment is pro-
vided on the watercraft for the manual and
tool kit.
NOTE:
To protect these materials from water dam-
age, it would be a good idea to put them in a
waterproof bag.
The service information included in this man-
ual is intended to provide you, the owner, with
the necessary information for completing your
own preventive maintenance and minor re-
pairs. The tools provided in the tool kit are suf-
ficient for this purpose, except that a torquewrench may also be necessary to tighten nuts
and bolts.
1Storage compartment
1Tool bag
2Screwdriver
316 mm box wrench
410/12 mm box wrench
5Pliers
6Open-end wrench
7Garden hose adapter
UF1K72E0.book Page 70 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Maintenance and care
73
EJU34210Checking the fuel system
WARNING
EWJ00380
Gasoline is highly flammable and explo-
sive. Failure to check for and repair any
fuel leakage could result in a fire or explo-
sion. A fire or explosion can cause severe
injury or death. Shut the engine off. Do not
smoke. Avoid spilling gasoline.
Fuel in the fuel lines is pressurized.
Fuel can spray out and cause injury or a
fire hazard if a fuel line is disconnected.
Do not run the engine with a fuel line dis-
connected.
Check the fuel system for leaks, cracks, and
malfunctions. If any problem is found, consult
a Yamaha dealer.
Check:
Fuel tank filler cap and seal for damage.
Fuel in fuel tank for water and dirt.
Fuel tank for damage, cracks, and leakage.
Fuel hoses and joints for damage, cracks,
and leakage.
Air bleeding passages for leakage.EJU34230Fuel tank
Check the fuel tank for leakage and for water
in the tank. If water is found in the fuel system,
or if the fuel tank needs to be cleaned, have a
Yamaha dealer service the watercraft.
EJU34290Engine oil and oil filter
WARNING
EWJ00340
Engine oil is extremely hot immediately af-
ter the engine is turned off. Coming in con-
tact with or getting any engine oil on your
clothes could result in burns.
CAUTION:
ECJ00180
Do not run the engine with too much or
not enough oil in the oil tank. Oil could
spray out and the engine could be dam-
aged.
Be sure to change the engine oil after
the first 10 hours of operation, and every
100 hours thereafter or at the start of a
new season, otherwise the engine will
wear quickly.
The oil filter should be replaced every
year or every 100 hours of operation.
Have a Yamaha dealer replace the oil fil-
ter if necessary.
It is recommended to have a Yamaha dealer
change the engine oil. However, if you choose
to change the oil on your own, consult a
Yamaha dealer.
NOTE:
Dispose of used oil according to local regula-
tions.
1Fuel tank
Recommended engine oil:
See page 42.
Oil quantity:
With oil filter replacement:
2.2 L (2.33 US qt) (1.94 Imp.qt)
Without oil filter replacement:
2.0 L (2.11 US qt) (1.76 Imp.qt)
Total amount:
4.3 L (4.55 US qt) (3.78 Imp.qt)
UF1K72E0.book Page 73 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Maintenance and care
74
CAUTION:
ECJ00190
If oil is leaking or the oil pressure warning
indicator comes on when the engine is
running, immediately shut the engine off
and have a Yamaha dealer check the wa-
tercraft. Continuing to operate the engine
under such conditions could cause severe
engine damage.
EJU34310Air filter element
Have a Yamaha dealer check and clean or re-
place the air filter element every 12 months or
every 100 hours of operation.
EJU34320Checking the jet thrust nozzle angle
Check the handlebars and jet thrust nozzle for
smooth operation.
Turn the handlebars as far as possible to the
right and left and check that the difference of
distances A and B between the jet thrust noz-
zle and the nozzle is within specification.
If the steering is stiff or misadjusted, have a
Yamaha dealer service it.
EJU34350Checking the shift cable (for VX
Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
Place the shift lever in the reverse position.
Make sure that the reverse gate makes con-
tact with the stopper.Difference of A and B:
Maximum 5 mm (0.20 in)
1Stopper
UF1K72E0.book Page 74 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Maintenance and care
75
If the reverse gate does not make contact with
the stopper, have a Yamaha dealer service it.
EJU34360Checking and adjusting the throttle
cable
Check that the throttle cable moves back to
the set position smoothly and that the throttle
lever free play is within specification.
(1) Squeeze and release the throttle lever. If
the throttle lever does not return smooth-
ly, have a Yamaha dealer service it.
(2) Adjust the free play by loosening the lock-
nut and turning the adjuster.
EJU34391Cleaning and adjusting the spark
plugs
The spark plug is an important engine compo-
nent and is easy to inspect. The condition of
the spark plug can indicate something about
the condition of the engine. For example, if
one spark plug has a distinctly different color,
the engine could require servicing. Do not at-
tempt to diagnose any problems yourself.
Have a Yamaha dealer service the watercraft.
Remove and inspect the spark plugs periodi-
cally; heat and deposits will cause the sparkplugs to slowly break down and erode. If elec-
trode erosion becomes excessive, or if carbon
and other deposits are excessive, replace the
spark plug with the specified plug.
To remove a spark plug:
(1) Remove the seat. (See page 26 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(2) Remove the spark plug cap.
CAUTION:
ECJ00210
Do not use any tools to remove or install
the spark plug cap, otherwise the ignition
coil coupler could be damaged. The spark
plug cap may be difficult to remove be-
cause the rubber seal on the end of the
cap fits tightly. To remove the spark plug
cap, simply twist it back and forth while
pulling it up; to install it, twist it back and
forth while pushing it down.
(3) Remove the spark plug.
Measure the spark plug gap with a wire
thickness gauge. Replace the spark plug
or adjust the gap to specification if neces-
sary.1Locknut
2Adjuster
3Throttle lever free play
Throttle lever free play:
4.0–7.0 mm (0.16–0.28 in)
Specified spark plug:
CR9EB
1Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
UF1K72E0.book Page 75 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Maintenance and care
78
(1) Remove all of the battery caps.
(2) If the electrolyte level is low, add distilled
water to raise it to the specified level.
(3) Set the charging rate to 1.9 ampere and
charge the battery slowly until the explo-
sive gases are discharged vigorously
from the battery cells.
To install the battery:
(1) Place the battery in the battery compart-
ment and connect the battery leads to the
battery terminals.
(2) Connect the breather hose to the battery.
(3) Secure the battery in place.
WARNING
EWJ00400
Be sure to connect the breather hose to
the battery. Fire or explosion could result
if the breather hose is damaged, obstruct-
ed, or not connected properly.
CAUTION:
ECJ00260
After installation, make sure that the bat-
tery leads are properly connected to the
battery terminals.
EJU34490Fuel injection system
The fuel injection system was set at the
Yamaha factory. If the fuel injection systemneeds to be adjusted, have a Yamaha dealer
service the watercraft.
CAUTION:
ECJ00220
Do not attempt to adjust the fuel injection
system. If the settings are disturbed by
someone who does not have the neces-
sary technical knowledge, poor engine
performance and damage may result.
EJU34500Checking the trolling speed
(1) Place the watercraft in the water.
(2) Start the engine and warm it up. Use the
tachometer in the multifunction informa-
tion center to check the trolling speed.
If the trolling speed is out of specification,
have a Yamaha dealer service the watercraft.
1Positive (+) battery terminal: Red lead
2Negative (–) battery terminal: Black lead
3Breather hose
Trolling speed:
1650 ±50 r/min
UF1K72E0.book Page 78 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Trouble recovery
80
EJU34560
Troubleshooting
If you have any trouble with your watercraft, use this section to check for the possible cause.
If you cannot find the cause, or if the procedure for replacement or repair is not described in
this owner’s/operator’s manual, have a Yamaha dealer perform the necessary service.
EJU34591Troubleshooting chart
TROUBLE POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY PAGE
Engine does not
start (Starter motor
does not turn over)Yamaha Se-
curity Sys-
tem (VX
Deluxe/VX
Cruiser)Lock mode selected Select unlock mode
32
Engine shut-
off switchClip not in place Install clip
28
Fuse Burned out Replace the fuse and
check wiring84
Battery Run down Recharge 77
Poor terminal con-
nectionsTighten as required
77
Terminal corroded Clean 68
Starter motor Faulty Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Engine does not
start (Starter motor
turns over)Throttle lever Squeezed Release 29
Fuel Empty Refill as soon as pos-
sible42
Stale or contaminat-
edHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer73
Fuel tank Water or dirt present Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer73
Spark plug Fouled or defective Clean or replace 75
Spark plug
capNot connected or
looseConnect properly
75
Connected to wrong
cylinderConnect properly
75
Fuel injec-
tion systemFuel pump faulty Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
UF1K72E0.book Page 80 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM