2012 YAMAHA VX check engine

Operation and handling requirements
46
To check the engine oil level:
(1) With the engine stopped, place the water-
craft in a precisely level position on land
or launch the watercraft.
(2) Look in all directions, and then start the
engine. (See page 60 for information on
starting the engine.)
(3) Run the engine at idling speed for 6 min-
utes or more. Run the engine an addition-
al 5 minutes if the ambient temperature is
20 °C (68 °F) or less.
(4) Stop the engine.
(5) Remove the seat. (See page 38 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(6) Loosen the oil tank filler cap and remove
it, and then wipe the attached dipstick
clean.
(7) Screw the oil tank filler cap into the filler
hole until it stops. Remove the oil tank fill-
er cap again and make sure that the en-gine oil level is between the minimum and
maximum level marks.
(8) If the engine oil level is significantly above
the maximum level mark, consult a
Yamaha dealer. If the engine oil level is
below the minimum level mark, slowly
add engine oil.
(9) Repeat steps 6–8 until the engine oil is at
the proper level.
(10) Securely install the oil tank filler cap and
turn it until it stops.
(11) Securely install the seat in its original po-
sition.
1Oil tank filler cap/Dipstick
1
1Dipstick
2Maximum level mark
3Minimum level mark
213
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First-time operation
49
EJU32785
Engine break-in
NOTICE
ECJ00431
Failure to perform the engine break-in
could result in reduced engine life or even
severe engine damage.
The engine break-in is essential to allow the
various components of the engine to wear
and polish themselves to the correct operat-
ing clearances. This ensures proper perfor-
mance and promotes longer component life.
To perform the engine break-in:
(1) Check the engine oil level. (See page 45
for information on checking the engine oil
level.)
(2) Launch the watercraft and start the en-
gine. (See page 60 for information on
starting the engine.)
(3) For the first 5 minutes, operate with the
engine at idling speed.
(4) For the next 30 minutes, operate with the
engine speed below 5000 r/min.
(5) For the next 1 hour, operate with the en-
gine speed below 6500 r/min.
After the engine break-in is complete, the wa-
tercraft can be operated normally.
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Pre-operation checks
50
EJU31981
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.
EJU41232Pre-operation checklist
Before using this watercraft, be sure to perform the checks in the following checklist.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKS
Engine compartmentVentilate the engine compartment.
Check inside the engine compartment for damage.52
Fuel systemCheck the fuel system for leakage.
Check the fuel level in the fuel tank.52
Water separatorCheck the water separator for water. 52
Engine unitCheck the exterior of the engine unit for damage. 52
Engine oil levelCheck the engine oil level. 52
Bilge waterCheck the engine compartment for bilge water. 53
BatteryCheck the battery connections and electrolyte level. 53
Steering systemCheck the steering system for proper operation. 53
Reverse system
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)Check the reverse system for proper operation. 54
Throttle leverCheck the throttle lever for proper operation.
Check the throttle lever free play.55
Remote control transmitter
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)Check the remote control transmitter for proper op-
eration.55
Engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard)Check the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) for dam-
age.55
SwitchesCheck the start switch, engine stop switch, and en-
gine shut-off switch for proper operation.56
Storage compartmentsCheck the storage compartments for damage and
water.56
Fire extinguisher holder,
cover, and bandCheck the fire extinguisher holder, cover, and band
for damage.56
Fire extinguisherCheck the condition of the fire extinguisher. 57
Safety equipmentCheck that safety equipment meeting the applicable
regulations is on board.57
Hull and deckCheck the hull and deck for damage. 57
Jet intakeCheck the jet intake for damage and clogging. 57
Stern drain plugsCheck the stern drain plugs for damage and foreign
material and check that they are securely installed.57
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Pre-operation checks
51
TIP:
To ensure safety and reliability, pre-operation checks should be made each time the watercraft
is used.
HoodCheck that the hood is securely closed. 58
SeatCheck that the seat is securely installed. 38
POST-LAUNCH CHECKS
Cooling water pilot outletCheck that water is discharged from the cooling wa-
ter pilot outlet while the engine is running.58
Multifunction information
centerCheck the multifunction information center for proper
operation.58
Engine idling speedCheck the engine idling speed. 58 ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
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Pre-operation checks
52
EJU32281
Pre-operation check points EJU40545Pre-launch checks
Perform the pre-launch checks in the pre-op-
eration checklist while the watercraft is on
land.
To perform the pre-launch checks:
(1) Remove the seat. (See page 38 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(2) Perform the checks and make sure that
there are no malfunctioning items or oth-
er problems.
(3) After completing these checks, securely
install the seat in its original position.
EJU32333Engine compartment check
WARNING
EWJ00461
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.
Ventilate the engine compartment. Leave the
engine compartment open for a few minutes
to allow any fuel vapors to escape.
Make sure that there is no damage inside the
engine compartment.
EJU34214Fuel system checks
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.
Make sure that there is no damage, leakage,
or other problem in the fuel system.
Check:

Fuel filler cap and seal for damage

Fuel tank for damage and leakage

Fuel hoses and joints for damage and leak-
age

Fuel tank breather hose for damage and
leakage
EJU36874Fuel level check
Check the fuel level in the fuel tank.
Add fuel if necessary. (See page 44 for infor-
mation on filling the fuel tank.)
EJU32423Water separator check
Make sure that no water has collected in the
water separator. If water has collected in the
water separator, drain it. (See page 29 for in-
formation on draining the water separator.)
EJU40181Engine unit check
Check the exterior of the engine unit for dam-
age or other problem.
EJU41560Engine oil level check
Make sure that the engine oil level is between
the minimum and maximum level marks on
1Water separator
1
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Pre-operation checks
53
the dipstick attached to the oil tank filler cap.
(See page 45 for information on checking the
engine oil level.)
EJU32455Bilge water check
Make sure that no bilge water has collected in
the engine compartment. If bilge water has
collected in the engine compartment, drain it.
(See page 47 for information on draining the
bilge water.)
EJU32484Battery checks
Make sure that the battery terminals and
breather hose are not damaged and that the
battery leads and breather hose are connect-
ed properly. WARNING! Fire or explosion
could result if the breather hose is dam-aged, obstructed, or not connected prop-
erly.
[EWJ00451]
Make sure that the electrolyte level is be-
tween the minimum and maximum level
marks. WARNING! Never operate the wa-
tercraft if the battery does not have suffi-
cient power to start the engine or if it
shows any other signs of decreased pow-
er. Loss of battery power may leave you
stranded.
[EWJ01240]
Make sure that the battery is securely held in
place.
EJU32613Steering system checks
Turn the handlebars to the right and left sev-
eral times to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout the
1Oil tank filler cap/Dipstick
1Dipstick
2Maximum level mark
3Minimum level mark
1
213
1Negative (–) battery terminal: Black lead
2Positive (+) battery terminal: Red lead
3Breather hose
1Maximum level mark
2Minimum level mark
12
3
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Pre-operation checks
55
Operate the shift lever several times to make
sure that operation is smooth throughout the
whole range. Also, make sure that the reverse
gate moves up and down according to the op-
eration of the shift lever and that the gate
makes contact with the stoppers. (See page
30 for reverse system operation.)
EJU32594Throttle lever checks
Operate the throttle lever several times to
make sure that operation is smooth through-
out the whole range. Also, make sure that thethrottle lever returns automatically to its fully
closed (idle) position when released.
Make sure that there is the proper amount of
throttle lever free play when the throttle lever
is in the fully closed (idle) position.EJU40112Remote control transmitter check
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)
Make sure that the remote control transmitter
operates properly. (See page 26 for Yamaha
Security System setting procedures and page
31 for Low RPM Mode activation procedures.)
EJU32663Engine shut-off cord (lanyard) check
Make sure that the engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard) is not damaged. If the cord is damaged,
replace it. WARNING! Never try to repair
the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) or tie it
1Stopper
1
1Throttle lever free play
Throttle lever free play:
4.0–7.0 mm (0.16–0.28 in)
1
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Pre-operation checks
56
together. The engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard) may not pull free when the operator
falls off, allowing the watercraft to contin-
ue to run and cause an accident.
[EWJ01220]
EJU32675
Switch checks
NOTICE
ECJ01310
Do not run the engine over 4000 r/min on
land. Also, do not run the engine for more
than 15 seconds without supplying water,
otherwise the engine could overheat.
Check the start switch, the engine stop
switch, and the engine shut-off switch for
proper operation. (See pages 27 to 27 for in-
formation on operating each switch.)To check the operation of the switches:
(1) VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser: If the lock mode
is selected for the Yamaha Security Sys-
tem setting, select the unlock mode. (See
page 26 for Yamaha Security System
setting procedures.)
(2) Push the start switch to make sure that
the engine starts.
(3) As soon as the engine starts running,
push the engine stop switch to make sure
that the engine stops immediately.
(4) Restart the engine, and then pull the en-
gine shut-off cord (lanyard) to remove the
clip from the engine shut-off switch to
make sure that the engine stops immedi-
ately.
EJU40101Storage compartment checks
Make sure that the storage compartments are
not damaged and that water has not collected
in the compartments. (See page 40 for infor-
mation on the storage compartments.)
EJU41081Fire extinguisher holder, cover, and band
checks
Make sure that the fire extinguisher holder,
cover, and band are not damaged and that
the cover is securely held in place using the
band. (See page 42 for information on the fire
extinguisher holder, cover, and band.)
1Engine shut-off switch
2Clip
3Start switch
4Engine stop switch
5Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
123
4
5
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