warning YAMAHA SUV 1200 2003 Owner's Manual

3-4
E
EJU01316
Filling the oil tank
WARNING@
Do not add gasoline to the oil tank.
Fire or explosion could result.

Oil in the bilge is a serious fire hazard.
Wipe up any spilled oil immediately.
@
CAUTION:@ Do not allow the oil tank to become com-
pletely empty. If the oil tank becomes
empty the oil injection pump must be
bled to ensure proper oil flow, otherwise
engine damage may occur. If bleeding of
the oil pump is necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer bleed it.
@
1. Remove the rear and front seats to
access the oil filler cap. (See pages 2-4
and 2-5 for seat removal and installation
procedures.)
2. Open the oil tank filler cap, and very
slowly add engine oil to the oil tank.
3. Stop pouring when the oil just reaches
the bottom of the filler tube.
NOTE:@
The rear and front seats must be removed
in order to watch the oil level in the oil
tank while adding oil.

Be careful not to spill oil or overfill the
tank.

Do not fill into the filler tube because oil
could overflow.
@
Oil tank capacity:
5.5 L (1.5 US gal, 1.2 Imp gal)
UGU572.book Page 4 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM

3-5
E
EJU01346
Pre-operation checks
EJU01347
Pre-operation check list
Before operating this watercraft, perform the checks in the following check list. See the
accompanying text in this chapter for details on how to perform the checks.
WARNING@ If any item in the pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected
and repaired before operating the watercraft, otherwise an accident could occur.
@
NOTE:@ Pre-operation checks should be made thoroughly each time the watercraft is used. This pro-
cedure can be completed in a short time. It is worth the time spent to assure safety and reli-
ability.
@
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Engine compartment Remove all seats to ventilate the engine com-
partment. Check for fuel vapors or loose electri-
cal connections3-6
Bilge Check for water and fuel residue and remove if
necessary3-7
Throttle Check that the throttle lever springs back 3-10
Steering system Check for proper steering system operation 3-10
Shift lever and reverse gate Check for proper operation 3-11
Fuel and oil Check fuel and oil level and add if necessary
Check hoses and tanks for leakage3-6
Water separator Check for water and drain if necessary 3-7
Battery Check electrolyte level and battery condition 3-8
Front and rear seats Check that the seats are properly secured 2-4–2-5
Hull/Deck Check the hull and deck for cracks or other dam-
age—
Jet unit Check for debris and remove if necessary 3-12
Fire extinguisher Check the condition and replace if necessary 3-9
Engine shut-off cord Check condition and replace is frayed or broken 3-12
Switches Check the start switch, engine stop switch and
engine shut-off switch for proper operation when
the watercraft is in the water3-13
Cooling water pilot outlet Check that water is discharged while the engine
is running and the watercraft is in the water3-13
Multifunction meter Check for warning indications and proper opera-
tion3-13
UGU572.book Page 5 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM

3-6
E
EJU01048
Pre-operation check points
EJU01878
Engine compartment
Ventilate the engine compar tment before
each use.
To ventilate the engine compartment
remove the rear and front seats. (See pages
2-4 and 2-5 for seat removal and installation
procedures.) Allow the engine compartment
to remain open for a few minutes to allow
any fuel vapors to escape. Also, check for
loose electrical connections.
WARNING@ Failure to ventilate the engine compart-
ment could result in fire or explosion. Do
not start the engine if there is a fuel leak
or a loose electrical connection.
@
EJU01318
Fuel and oil systems
Check the fuel system for leakage, cracks
or malfunctions before each use. (See page
4-10 for check points and correct proce-
dures.)
1. Remove the fuel tank filler cap to release
any pressure that might have built up in
the fuel tank.
2. Remove the rear and front seats. (See
pages 2-4 to 2-5 for seat removal and
installation procedures.)
3. Check the fuel and oil levels in the tanks
and replenish if necessary. (See pages
3-3 and 3-4 for filling instructions.)
UGU572.book Page 6 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM

3-8
E
EJU01969
Battery
Check the battery condition and the elec-
trolyte level.
Check that the battery leads are tightened
securely and there is no corrosion on the
battery terminals.
WARNING@
The battery must always be fully
charged and in good condition. Loss
of battery power may leave you
stranded. Never operate the watercraft
if the battery does not have sufficient
power to start the engine or if it shows
any other signs of decreased power.

Be sure to connect the breather hose
to the battery. Fire or explosion could
result if the breather hose is damaged,
obstructed, or not connected properly.
@
Make sure that the battery is securely
held in place.
1
Positive (+): Red lead
2
Negative (–): Black lead
3
Breather hose
UGU572.book Page 8 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM

3-10
E
EJU01834
Throttle
Squeeze and release the throttle lever
several times to make sure that there is no
hesitation in its travel. It should be smooth
over the complete range, and spring back to
the idle position when released.
WARNING@ Before starting the engine, always check
the operation of the throttle lever.
@
EJU01848
Steering system
Check for looseness in the handlebars.
Turn them as far as possible to the right
and left to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout the
whole range. Make sure that the jet thrust
nozzle also changes directions as the han-
dlebars are turned, and that there is no free
play between the handlebars and the jet
thrust nozzle.
Check that the handlebars are locked in
position. (See “Tilt lever” on page 2-12 for
more information.)
UGU572.book Page 10 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM

3-11
E
EJU01245
Shift lever and reverse gate
Check for proper operation of the shift
lever and reverse gate.
Make sure that the reverse gate goes
down to its stopper position when the shift
lever is pulled up.
Also, make sure that the reverse gate
goes up to its stopper position when shift
lever is pushed down.
WARNING@
Make sure that the throttle is com-
pletely released and that the engine is
at idle before shifting into reverse.

Do not use the reverse function to
slow down or stop the watercraft as it
could cause you to lose control, be
ejected, or impact the handlebars.

Use reverse for slow-speed maneuver-
ing only.

Make sure that there are no obstacles
or people behind you before shifting
into reverse.

Do not touch the reverse gate while the
shift lever is being operated, otherwise
you could be pinched.
@
UGU572.book Page 11 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM

3-12
E
EJU01058
Jet unit
Carefully check the jet intake for weeds,
debris, or anything else that might restrict
the intake of water. If the intake is clogged,
cavitation could occur, reducing jet thrust,
and possibly damaging the jet pump.
In some cases, the engine may overheat
because of lack of cooling water, and dam-
age to the engine could result. Engine cool-
ing water is fed to the engine by the jet
pump. (See page 5-4 for jet intake cleaning
procedures.)
WARNING@
Keep away from intake grate while
engine is on. Items such as long hair,
loose clothing, or PFD straps can
become entangled in moving parts
resulting in severe injury or drowning.

Stop the engine and remove the clip
from the engine shut-off switch before
removing any debris or weeds, which
may have collected around the jet
intake.
@
EJU01059
Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
Check that the engine shut-off cord is not
frayed or broken. If the cord is damaged,
replace it; never try to repair it or tie it
together.
UGU572.book Page 12 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM

3-14
E
EJU01836
Operation
WARNING@ Before operating your watercraft,
become familiar with all controls. Con-
sult your Yamaha dealer about any con-
trol or function you do not fully
understand. Failure to understand how
controls work could cause an accident or
prevent you from avoiding an accident.
@
CAUTION:@ Make sure that the stern drain plugs are
securely tightened before launching the
watercraft.
@
EJU01888
Engine break-in
The engine break-in period is essential to
allow the various components of the engine
to wear and polish themselves to the correct
operating clearances. This ensures proper
performance and promotes longer compo-
nent life.
CAUTION:@
For the first tankful of operation, pre-
mix a 50:1 mixture of fuel and oil (in
addition to the oil in the oil tank).

After break-in, use straight gasoline
for normal operation.
@
1. Launch the watercraft and start the
engine. (See page 3-16 for engine start-
ing procedures.)
2. Run the engine at the lowest possible
speed for 5 minutes.
UGU572.book Page 14 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM

3-16
E
EJU01247
Launching the watercraft
Make sure that there are no obstructions
behind you.
After the watercraft is in the water, start
the engine. Shift into reverse and move the
watercraft back slowly. If there are waves,
someone should make sure that the water-
craft is not pushed into the trailer before
backing away.
EJU01887
Starting the engine
WARNING@ Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area.
Exhaust fumes contain carbon monox-
ide, a colorless, odorless gas that may
cause loss of consciousness and death
within a short time. Always operate the
watercraft in an open area.
@
1. Launch the watercraft in water free from
weeds and debris and at least 60 cm
(2 ft) deep.
WARNING@ Never operate in water that is less than
60 cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise you increase
your chance of hitting a submerged
object, which could result in injury.
@
CAUTION:@ Never operate in water that is less than
60 cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise pebbles or
sand could be sucked into the jet intake,
causing impeller damage or engine over-
heating.
@
UGU572.book Page 16 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM

3-17
E
2. Turn the fuel cock knob to the “ON” posi-
tion.
NOTE:@ Before starting the watercraft, after it has
been sitting, remove the fuel tank filler cap
to release any built-up pressure in the tank
due to fuel expansion.
@
3. Attach the clip 1 to the engine shut-off
switch 2. Also, attach the engine shut-
off cord 3 to your left wrist.
WARNING@ Check that the engine shut-off cord is not
frayed or broken, and keep it free from
the handlebars so the engine stops if the
operator falls off. The engine shut-off
cord may not pull free if wrapped around
the handlebars when the operator falls
off, allowing the watercraft to continue to
run and cause an accident.
@
NOTE:@ It is not possible to start the engine with the
clip removed from the engine shut-off
switch.
@
4. Pull and hold the choke knob all the way
out to start a cold engine.
NOTE:@ The choke should not be used when the
engine is warm.
@
UGU572.book Page 17 Wednesday, August 28, 2002 1:31 PM