2008 YAMAHA VX check engine

Table of contents
General and important labels ........... 1
Identification numbers .................... 1
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number ........................................... 1
Craft Identification Number (CIN) ...... 1
Engine serial number ........................ 1
Model information ........................... 2
Builder’s plate .................................... 2
Important labels .............................. 3
Warning labels ................................... 4
Other labels ....................................... 7
Safety information ............................. 9
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft .............................. 9
Cruising limitations ....................... 10
Operation requirements ............... 11
Recommended equipment ........... 13
Hazard information ....................... 14
Watercraft characteristics ............. 14
Water-skiing ................................. 16
Safe boating rules ........................ 17
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly ................................ 18
Features and functions ................... 19
Location of main components ...... 19
Operation of controls and other
functions .................................... 23
Seat ................................................. 23
Hood ................................................ 23
Fuel tank filler cap ........................... 24
Remote control transmitter
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 24
Engine stop switch .......................... 25
Engine shut-off switch ..................... 25
Start switch ...................................... 26
Throttle lever ................................... 26
Cooling water pilot outlet ................. 26
Steering system ............................... 27
Shift lever (for VX Deluxe/
VX Cruiser) .................................. 27
Handgrip .......................................... 28Bow eye ........................................... 28
Stern eyes ....................................... 28
Yamaha Engine Management
System (YEMS) ........................... 28
Yamaha Security System and
low-RPM mode (for VX Deluxe/
VX Cruiser) .................................. 29
Multifunction information center ...... 30
Storage compartments .................... 35
Operation ......................................... 38
Fuel and oil .................................. 38
Gasoline .......................................... 38
Engine oil ......................................... 39
Filling the fuel tank .......................... 39
Pre-operation checks ................... 40
Pre-operation check list ................... 40
Pre-operation check points .............. 42
Operation ..................................... 49
Engine break-in ............................... 49
Launching the watercraft ................. 49
Starting the engine .......................... 49
Stopping the engine ........................ 51
Leaving the watercraft ..................... 51
Operating your watercraft ............ 52
Getting to know your watercraft ....... 52
Learning to operate your
watercraft ..................................... 52
Riding with passengers ................... 53
Starting the watercraft ..................... 53
Boarding and starting in deep
water ............................................ 54
Capsized watercraft ......................... 57
Turning the watercraft ..................... 58
Stopping the watercraft ................... 60
Beaching the watercraft ................... 60
Docking the watercraft ..................... 60
Reverse on waterways
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 60
Rough water operation .................... 61
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Table of contents
Post-operation care ...................... 61
Transporting ................................. 62
Maintenance and care ..................... 63
Storage ......................................... 63
Flushing the cooling system ............ 63
Lubrication ....................................... 64
Fuel system ..................................... 64
Battery ............................................. 65
Cleaning the watercraft ................... 65
Maintenance and adjustments ..... 66
Owner’s/operator’s manual and
tool kit ........................................... 67
Periodic maintenance chart ............. 68
Checking the fuel system ................ 70
Engine oil and oil filter ..................... 70
Air filter element .............................. 71
Checking the jet thrust nozzle
angle ............................................ 71
Checking the shift cable
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 71
Checking and adjusting the throttle
cable ............................................ 72
Cleaning and adjusting the spark
plugs ............................................ 72
Lubrication points ............................ 73
Checking the battery ....................... 74
Fuel injection system ....................... 75
Specifications .................................. 77
Specifications ................................ 77
Trouble recovery ............................. 78
Troubleshooting ........................... 78
Troubleshooting chart ...................... 78
Emergency procedures ................ 80
Cleaning the jet intake and
impeller ........................................ 80
Jumping the battery ......................... 81
Replacing the fuses ......................... 82
Towing the watercraft ...................... 83
Submerged watercraft ..................... 83
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Safety information
13

Always consult your doctor on whether it is
safe for you to ride this watercraft if you are
pregnant or in poor health.

Do not attempt to modify this watercraft!
Modifications to your watercraft may reduce
safety and reliability, and render the water-
craft unsafe or illegal for use.

Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist and keep it free from the handlebars
so that the engine stops if you, the operator,
fall off. After riding, remove the engine shut-
off cord from the watercraft to avoid acci-
dental starting or unauthorized use by chil-
dren or others.

Scan carefully for swimmers and stay away
from swimming areas. Swimmers are hard
to see and you could accidentally hit some-
one in the water.

Avoid being hit by another boat! You should
always take the responsibility to watch for
traffic; other boaters may not be watching
for you. If they do not see you, or if you ma-
neuver more quickly than other boaters ex-
pect, you risk a collision.

Maintain a safe distance from other boats
and watercraft, and also watch for ski ropes
or fishing lines. Obey the “Safe boating
rules” and be sure to check behind you be-
fore making a turn. (See “Safe boating
rules” on page 17.)
EJU30840
Recommended equipment
The following items should be carried on
board your watercraft:

Sound-signaling device
You should carry a whistle or other sound-
signaling device that can be used to signal
other boats.

Visual distress signals
It is recommended that a pyrotechnic de-
vice, which is approved by the appropriate
authorities, be stored in a waterproof con-
tainer on your watercraft. A mirror can also
be used as an emergency signal. Contact a
Yamaha dealer for more information.

Watch
A watch is helpful so you will know how long
you have been operating the watercraft.

Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled wa-
tercraft in an emergency.
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Features and functions
26
EJU31191Start switch
Push the start switch (green button) to start
the engine.
NOTE:
The engine will not start when the lock mode
of the Yamaha Security System has been se-
lected (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser), the clip is
removed from the engine shut-off switch, or
the throttle lever is squeezed. (See page 29
for Yamaha Security System lock and unlock
mode selection procedures.)
EJU31210Throttle lever
Squeeze the throttle lever to increase engine
speed.
Release the throttle lever to decrease engine
speed or to return it to the idle position.
EJU35971Cooling water pilot outlet
This watercraft is equipped with a cooling wa-
ter pilot outlet.
When the engine is running, cooling water is
circulated in the engine, and then it is dis-
charged from the pilot outlet.
To check for proper operation of the cooling
system, check that water is being discharged
from the pilot outlet. If water is not being dis-
charged from the outlet, cooling water may
not be circulating in the engine. When this oc-
curs, stop the engine and check for the cause.
(See pages 33 and 80 for more information.)
NOTE:

If the cooling water passages are dry, it will
take about 60 seconds for the water to
reach the outlet after the engine is started.

Water discharge may not be constant at
idle, therefore, open the throttle a little to
check that water discharges properly.
1Start switch
1Throttle lever
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Features and functions
30
EJU31412Selecting the normal mode/low-RPM
mode (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The normal mode and low-RPM mode can
only be selected when the engine is stopped
in the unlock mode. Press the unlock button
on the remote control transmitter for more
than 4 seconds to switch between the normal
mode and the low-RPM mode.
Normal mode
If the beeper sounds twice, the normal mode
is activated.
The watercraft can be ridden normally.
Low-RPM mode
If the beeper sounds three times, the low-
RPM mode is activated and the “L-MODE” in-
dicator light comes on.
Maximum engine speed (r/min) in the low-
RPM mode is limited to approximately 90% of
the maximum engine speed in the normal
mode.
NOTE:

If neither the start switch nor the remote
control transmitter is operated within 25
seconds after the unlock button is pressed
to select the unlock mode, the multifunction
information center display and the “L-
MODE” indicator light will go off. If this oc-
curs, press the lock button on the transmit-
ter briefly to select the lock mode, press the
unlock button briefly to select the unlockmode, and then press the unlock button
again for more than 4 seconds to select the
normal mode or low-RPM mode.

While the engine is running, input from the
remote control transmitter is not received.
CAUTION:
ECJ00080
If the remote control transmitter does not
operate when its buttons are pressed, the
battery may be low. Have a Yamaha dealer
replace the battery.
EJU31452Multifunction information center
This meter contains the following functions for
help and convenience in operating the water-
craft.
1“L-MODE” indicator light1Tachometer
2Speedometer
3Hour meter/voltmeter
4Fuel level meter
5“L-MODE” indicator light (for VX Deluxe/VX
Cruiser)
6“WARNING” light
7Fuel level warning indicator
8Oil pressure warning indicator
9Engine overheat warning indicator
10Check engine warning indicator
11Select button
12“SECURITY” indicator light
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
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Features and functions
31
CAUTION:
ECJ00072
Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds without supplying water or over
4000 r/min when checking the operation of
the meter on land, otherwise the engine
could overheat.
NOTE:

When the engine is started, all displays light
up for 2 seconds, and then the meter starts
to operate normally.

The current display will continue to operate
for 25 seconds after the engine stops.
EJU31461Tachometer
The engine speed (r/min) is displayed by seg-
ments. Each segment indicates a 250 r/min
increment.
EJU31500Speedometer
The meter shows the watercraft speed
against water.
NOTE:
To switch the speedometer display between
kilometers and miles, push the select button
for at least 1 second, within 10 seconds after
the meter is displayed.
EJU31511Fuel level meter
The fuel level meter is provided for convenient
fuel level checking while riding.
The fuel level meter has eight segments
which show the amount of fuel remaining in
the fuel tank.
1Tachometer
1Select button
2Speedometer
1Fuel level meter
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Features and functions
32
NOTE:
The fuel level is most accurate when the wa-
tercraft is sitting level on a trailer or in the wa-
ter.
EJU31551Hour meter/voltmeter
NOTE:
To switch the display between the hour meter
and the voltmeter, push the select button for
at least 1 second after the meter is displayed
for more than 10 seconds.
Hour meter
The hour meter is provided to make it easy to
follow the maintenance schedule.
The meter shows the hours of engine opera-
tion that have elapsed since the watercraft
was new.
Voltmeter
The voltmeter is provided to display the volt-
age of the battery.
When the battery voltage is normal, the volt-
meter displays approximately 12 volts.
If the battery voltage is less than 8.0 volts,
“LO” is displayed on the voltmeter and if the
voltage is above 18.1 volts, “HI” is displayed
on the voltmeter. If “HI” or “LO” is displayed,
return to shore and, if necessary, have aYamaha dealer check the charging system
and the battery.
EJU31560Fuel level warning indicator
If the fuel remaining in the fuel tank drops to
about 13 L (3.4 US gal, 2.9 Imp gal), the low-
est two fuel level segments, the fuel level
warning indicator, and the “WARNING” light
begin to blink. The buzzer also starts sound-
ing intermittently.
If this occurs, refill the fuel tank as soon as
possible.
The warning signals will be cleared when the
engine is restarted after the fuel tank is re-
filled.
EJU31622Oil pressure warning indicator
If the oil pressure does not rise to specifica-
tion, the “WARNING” light and the oil pres-
sure warning indicator begin to blink, and the
buzzer sounds intermittently. At the same
time, the engine speed is limited to help pre-
vent damage.
1Select button
2Hour meter/voltmeter
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Features and functions
33
If this occurs, reduce the engine speed, return
to shore, and then check the engine oil level.
(See page 42 for engine oil level checking
procedures.) If the oil level is low, add enough
engine oil to raise it to the proper level. If the
oil level is sufficient, have a Yamaha dealer
check the watercraft.
NOTE:
Press the select button on the multifunction
information center to stop the buzzer.
EJU31604Engine overheat warning indicator
This model is equipped with an engine over-
heat warning system.
If the engine starts to overheat, the “WARN-
ING” light and the engine overheat warning in-
dicator blink, and then come on. The buzzer
also begins to sound intermittently, and then it
sounds continuously. After the light and indi-
cator start to blink and the buzzer sounds, theengine speed is limited to help prevent dam-
age.
If this occurs, immediately reduce the engine
speed, return to shore, and then check for wa-
ter discharge at the port (left) cooling water pi-
lot outlet while the engine is running. If there
is no discharge of water, shut the engine off,
and then check the intake grate and impeller
for clogging.
WARNING
EWJ00050
Before attempting to remove weeds or de-
bris from the intake grate or impeller, shut
the engine off and remove the clip from the
engine shut-off switch. Severe injury or
1Select button
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