Operation
39
(5) Wipe up any spilled fuel immediately.
(6) Install the fuel tank filler cap. Make sure
that the fuel tank filler cap is securely
closed before operating the watercraft.
(7) Install the seat. Make sure that the seat is
securely installed before operating the
watercraft.
EJU31891Engine oil
NOTICE
ECJ00281
Use only 4-stroke engine oil. Usage of 2-
stroke engine oil could result in severe en-
gine damage.
Make sure that the engine oil is at the speci-
fied level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 42for engine oil level checking procedures.) Use
a combination of the recommended SAE and
API engine oil classifications shown in the
chart below. Fuel tank capacity:
60 L (15.9 US gal, 13.2 Imp.gal)
1Approximately 50 mm (2 in) from top of the
fuel tank
UF2L70E0.book Page 39 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
Operation
40
EJU31980
Pre-operation checks EJU31991Pre-operation check list
Before operating this watercraft, perform the checks in the following check list.
WARNING
EWJ00411
Failure to inspect or maintain the watercraft properly increases the possibility of an ac-
cident or damage to the watercraft. Do not operate the watercraft if you find any prob-
lem. If a problem cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in this manual, have
the watercraft inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
BEFORE LAUNCH OR OPERATION
Engine compartmentRemove the seat to ventilate the engine compart-
ment. Check for fuel vapors and loose electrical con-
nections.42
BilgeCheck for water and fuel and drain if necessary. 43
Stern drain plugsCheck for proper installation. 44
Throttle leverCheck that the throttle lever springs back smoothly. 45
Steering systemCheck for proper operation. 45
Shift lever and reverse gate
(VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)Check for proper operation. 45
Fuel and oilCheck the fuel and oil levels and replenish if neces-
sary.
Check the hoses and tanks for leakage.42, 42
Water separatorCheck for water and drain if necessary. 43
BatteryCheck the electrolyte level and battery condition. 44
HoodCheck that the hood is securely closed. 23
SeatCheck that the seat is securely installed. 23
Hull and deckCheck the hull and deck for cracks and other dam-
age.42
Jet intakeCheck for debris and remove if necessary. 46
Fire extinguisherCheck the condition and replace if necessary. 44
Engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard)Check the condition and replace if frayed or broken. 46
SwitchesCheck the start switch, engine stop switch, and en-
gine shut-off switch for proper operation.46
AFTER LAUNCH
Cooling water pilot outletCheck that water is discharged while the engine is
running and the watercraft is in the water.47
Multifunction information
centerCheck for warning indications and proper operation. 47
UF2L70E0.book Page 40 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
Operation
42
EJU32280Pre-operation check points EJU32311Engine compartment
WARNING
EWJ00460
Failure to ventilate the engine compart-
ment could result in a fire or explosion. Do
not start the engine if there is a fuel leak or
a loose electrical connection.
Ventilate the engine compartment before
each use.
To ventilate the engine compartment, remove
the seat. (See page 23 for seat removal and
installation procedures.) Leave the engine
compartment open for a few minutes to allow
any fuel vapors to escape.
While the engine compartment is open, check
for loose electrical connections.
EJU32350Hull and deck
Check the hull and deck for cracks and other
damage. If any damage is found, have a
Yamaha dealer repair the watercraft.
EJU32391Fuel level
Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the
fuel tank before each use.
Also, check the fuel system for leakage,
cracks, and malfunctions. (See page 68 for
check points and correct procedures.)(1) Remove the fuel tank filler cap to release
any pressure that might have built up in
the fuel tank.
(2) Remove the seat. (See page 23 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(3) Check the fuel level in the fuel tank and
replenish if necessary. (See page 38 for
filling procedures.)
(4) Install the fuel tank filler cap and the seat.
EJU32401Engine oil level
Check the engine oil level before each use.
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.
NOTICE
ECJ00391
Do not run the engine with too much or
not enough oil in the oil tank, otherwise
the engine could be damaged.
Make sure that debris and water do not
enter the oil tank filler hole. Debris and
water in the engine oil can cause serious
engine damage.
To check the engine oil level:
(1) Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion or launch the watercraft, and then
start the engine. NOTICE: When check-
ing the engine oil level on land, supply
water to the cooling water passages.
(See page 62 for procedures on sup-
plying water.)
[ECJ01020]
TIP:
When checking the engine oil level on water,
moor the watercraft so that it will not drift
away.
(2) Run the engine at trolling speed for 6 min-
utes or more, and then stop the engine.
UF2L70E0.book Page 42 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
Operation
43
Run the engine an additional 5 minutes if
the ambient temperature is 20 °C (68 °F)
or less.
(3) Remove the seat. (See page 23 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(4) Remove the oil tank filler cap, wipe the
dipstick clean, and then screw the filler
cap into the filler hole completely. Re-
move the filler cap again and check that
the engine oil level is between the mini-
mum and maximum level marks on the
dipstick.
(5) If the engine oil level is below the mini-
mum level mark, add enough oil so that
the oil level is between the minimum and
maximum level marks on the dipstick,
and then install the filler cap. If the engine
oil level is significantly above the maxi-mum level mark, the oil tank is overfilled.
Have a Yamaha dealer remove the ex-
cessive amount of engine oil.
(6) Install the seat.
EJU32420Water separator
Check the water separator for water. The wa-
ter separator retains any water that may have
entered through the fuel tank breather hose if
the watercraft was capsized. Normally, the
water separator is empty.
If water remains in the water separator, drain
it by removing the drain screw. 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 watercraft, be sure to
wipe it up with a dry cloth. Also, be sure to in-
stall the drain screw after draining the water
separator.
EJU32462Bilge
Check the bilge for moisture and fuel residue.
NOTICE: Excessive water in the engine
compartment can splash into the engine,
which can result in severe damage.
[ECJ00341]
To drain water from the bilge:
(1) Remove the stern drain plugs.
(2) Raise the bow of the watercraft until the
water drains.
1Oil tank filler cap
1Minimum level mark
2Maximum level mark
1Water separator
2Drain screw
UF2L70E0.book Page 43 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
Operation
48
EJU32742
Operation
WARNING
EWJ00510
Before operating your watercraft, become
familiar with all of the controls. Consult a
Yamaha dealer about any control or func-
tion that you do not fully understand. Fail-
ure to understand how the controls work
could cause an accident or prevent you
from avoiding an accident.
NOTICE
ECJ00460
Make sure that the stern drain plugs are
tightened securely before launching the
watercraft.
EJU32782Engine break-in
NOTICE
ECJ00430
Failure to follow the engine break-in pro-
cedure could result in reduced engine life
or even severe engine damage.
The engine break-in period is essential to al-
low the various components of the engine to
wear and polish themselves to the correct op-
erating clearances. This ensures proper per-
formance and promotes longer component
life.
TIP:
Be sure to check the engine oil level before
operating the watercraft for the first time. (See
page 42 for engine oil checking procedures.)
(1) Launch the watercraft and start the en-
gine. (See page 48 for engine starting
procedures.)
(2) For the first 5 minutes, run the engine at
trolling speed only. For the 30 minutes of
operation after that, keep the engine
speed below 5000 r/min. For the 1 hour of
operation after that, keep the engine
speed below 6500 r/min.
(3) Proceed with normal operation.
EJU32812Launching the watercraft
When launching the watercraft, make sure
that there are no obstacles around you.
If there are waves, someone should make
sure that the watercraft is not pushed into the
trailer after launching the watercraft.
For VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser:
Use the remote control transmitter to select
the unlock mode. (See page 29 for Yamaha
Security System lock and unlock mode se-
lection procedures.)
After the watercraft is in the water, start the
engine. Shift into reverse and move the wa-
tercraft back slowly.
For VX:
After the watercraft is in the water, turn it
around so that the bow faces the direction
you wish to go. Start the engine, and then
slowly move away from the launching area.
EJU32852Starting the engine
(1) If the lock mode of the Yamaha Security
System is selected (for VX Deluxe/VX
Cruiser), use the remote control transmit-
ter to select the unlock mode. (See page
29 for Yamaha Security System lock and
unlock mode selection procedures.)
UF2L70E0.book Page 48 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
Maintenance and care
66
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 70
Lubrication pointsLubricate 71
Fuel systemCheck 68
Fuel tankCheck, clean 68
Trolling speedCheck, adjust 73
Throttle shaftCheck—
Cooling water pas-
sagesFlush
*62
Water inlet strain-
erCheck, clean—
Bilge strainerClean—
ImpellerCheck—
Jet thrust nozzle
angleCheck, adjust 68
Shift cable and re-
verse gate
(VX Deluxe/VX
Cruiser)Check, adjust 69
Throttle cableCheck, adjust 69
Stern drain plugsCheck, replace 44
BatteryCheck, charge 72
Rubber couplingCheck—
Engine mountCheck—
Nuts and boltsCheck—
Air filter elementCheck 68
Engine oilReplace 68
UF2L70E0.book Page 66 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
Maintenance and care
68
EJU34212Checking the fuel system
WARNING
EWJ00381
Leaking fuel can result in fire or explosion.
Check for fuel leakage regularly.
If any fuel leakage is found, the fuel sys-
tem must be repaired by a qualified me-
chanic. Improper repairs can make the
watercraft unsafe to operate.
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 leakageEJU34230Fuel 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.
EJU34292Engine 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.
NOTICE
ECJ00181
Do not run the engine with too much or not
enough oil in the oil tank, otherwise the
engine could be damaged.
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.
EJU34311Air filter element
Have a Yamaha dealer check the air filter ele-
ment at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
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.
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)
UF2L70E0.book Page 68 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
Maintenance and care
70
(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.
EJU34392Cleaning and adjusting the spark
plugs
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.
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.
To remove a spark plug:
(1) Remove the seat. (See page 23 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(2) Remove the spark plug cap. NOTICE:
Do not use any tools to remove or in-
stall the spark plug cap, otherwise the
ignition coil coupler could be dam-
aged. The spark plug cap may be diffi-
cult to remove because 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.
[ECJ00211]
(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.
1Rubber cover
2Locknut
3Adjuster
4Throttle lever free play
Throttle lever free play:
4.0–7.0 mm (0.16–0.28 in)
Specified spark plug:
CR9EB
1Spark plug gap
UF2L70E0.book Page 70 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM