2008 YAMAHA VX Owners Manual

Maintenance and care
66
(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
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Maintenance and care
67
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
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Maintenance and care
68
EJU33821Periodic maintenance chart
The following chart gives general guidelines for periodic maintenance. However, maintenance
may need to be performed more frequently depending on your operating conditions.
This“” mark indicates maintenance that you may do yourself.
This“” mark indicates work to be done by a Yamaha dealer.
Item OperationInitial Thereafter every
Page 10
hours50
hours100
hours100
hours200
hours
6
months12
months12
months24
months
Spark plugsCheck, clean, adjust 72
Lubrication pointsLubricate 73
Fuel systemCheck 70
Fuel tankCheck, clean 70
Trolling speedCheck, adjust 76
Throttle shaftCheck—
Cooling water pas-
sagesFlush
*63
Water inlet strain-
erCheck, clean—
Bilge strainerClean—
ImpellerCheck—
Jet thrust nozzle
angleCheck, adjust 71
Shift cable and re-
verse gate
(VX Deluxe/VX
Cruiser)Check, adjust 71
Throttle cableCheck, adjust 72
Stern drain plugsCheck, replace 44
BatteryCheck, charge 74
Rubber couplingCheck—
Engine mountCheck—
Nuts and boltsCheck—
Air filter elementCheck 71
Engine oilReplace 70
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Maintenance and care
69
* This operation should be performed after every use.
Oil filterReplace 70
Valve clearanceCheck, adjust— Item OperationInitial Thereafter every
Page 10
hours50
hours100
hours100
hours200
hours
6
months12
months12
months24
months
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Maintenance and care
70
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.
EJU34291Engine 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:
SAE 10W-30, 20W-40, 20W-50
Oil grade:
API SE,SF,SG,SH,SJ,SL
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)
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Maintenance and care
71
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.
EJU34321Checking 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
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Maintenance and care
72
If the reverse gate does not make contact with
the stopper, have a Yamaha dealer service it.
EJU36640Checking 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.
Squeeze and release the throttle lever. If the
throttle lever does not return smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer service it.
If the specified throttle lever free play cannot
be obtained as described below, have a
Yamaha dealer make the adjustment.
(1) Remove the six screws, and then remove
the front handlebar cover.
(2) Slide the rubber cover away from the ad-
juster, and then loosen the locknut.(3) Adjust the free play by turning the adjust-
er.
(4) Hold the adjuster with one wrench while
tightening the locknut with another
wrench. Slide the rubber cover to its orig-
inal position.
(5) Install the front handlebar cover, and then
install the six screws.
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 spark
plugs 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.
1Front handlebar cover
1Rubber cover
2Locknut
3Adjuster
4Throttle lever free play
Throttle lever free play:
4.0–7.0 mm (0.16–0.28 in)
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Maintenance and care
73
To remove a spark plug:
(1) Remove the seat. (See page 23 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.
To install a spark plug:
(1) Clean the gasket surface.
(2) Wipe any dirt from the threads of the
spark plug.(3) Install the spark plug, and then tighten it
to the specified torque.
(4) Install the spark plug cap.
NOTE:

Wipe off any water on the spark plug or in-
side the spark plug cap before installing the
cap. Push the spark plug cap down until it is
securely installed.

If a torque wrench is not available when you
are installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4 turn to 1/2 turn
past finger tight using the spark plug
wrench included in the tool kit. Have the
spark plug adjusted to the correct torque
with a torque wrench as soon as possible.
WARNING
EWJ00350
Be careful not to damage the insulator
when removing or installing a spark plug.
A damaged insulator could allow sparks to
escape, which could result in a fire or ex-
plosion.
(5) Install the seat.EJU34422Lubrication points
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, coat them with water-resistant
grease.

Throttle cable (handlebar end)
Loosen the adjuster and disconnect the
outer cable from the bracket. Spray a rust
inhibitor into the outer cable. Connect the
outer cable, and then adjust the throttle ca- Specified spark plug:
CR9EB
1Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Spark plug tightening torque:
12.5 Nm (9.2 ft-lb) (1.27 kgf-m)
Recommended water-resistant grease:
Yamaha Marine Grease/Yamaha
Grease A
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