cooling YAMAHA VX 2018 Owners Manual

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
Manufactured date label .................... 2
Model information ........................... 2
Builder’s plate .................................... 2
Important labels .............................. 4
Warning labels.................................... 5
Other labels ........................................ 8
Safety information ........................... 10
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft ............................. 10
Cruising limitations ........................ 11
Operation requirements ................ 12
Recommended equipment ........... 14
Hazard information........................ 15
Watercraft characteristics ............. 15
Wakeboarding and water-skiing ... 17
Safe boating rules ......................... 18
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly ................................. 19
Description....................................... 20
Watercraft glossary ....................... 20
Location of main components ...... 21
Control function operation ............. 25
Watercraft control functions ......... 25
Remote control transmitter
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser /
VX Limited) .................................... 25
Yamaha Security System
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser /
VX Limited) .................................... 26
Engine stop switch .......................... 27
Engine shut-off switch .................... 27
Start switch ..................................... 27
Throttle lever .................................... 28
RiDE lever ........................................ 28Steering system................................ 28
Cooling water pilot outlet ................. 29
Water separator................................ 29
Watercraft operation ...................... 31
Watercraft operation functions ..... 31
Shift system ..................................... 31
Watercraft operation modes ......... 33
Low RPM Mode (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ................ 33
No-wake mode (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ................ 34
Cruise assist (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ................ 36
Instrument operation ...................... 38
Multifunction information center ... 38
Information display ........................... 38
Hour meter ....................................... 41
Voltmeter .......................................... 41
Equipment operation ...................... 43
Equipment..................................... 43
Seats ................................................ 43
Handgrip........................................... 44
Reboarding step ............................... 44
Bow eye............................................ 45
Stern eyes ........................................ 45
Cleat ................................................. 45
Pull-up cleats (VX Limited) ............... 46
Storage compartments .................... 46
Fire extinguisher holder and cover ... 48
Operation and handling
requirements ................................... 50
Fuel requirements ......................... 50
Fuel................................................... 50
Engine oil requirements ................ 53
Engine oil .......................................... 53
Draining the bilge water ................ 54
Draining the bilge water on land....... 54
Draining the bilge water on water .... 55
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Table of contents
Transporting on a trailer ................ 56
First-time operation ........................ 57
Engine break-in ............................. 57
Pre-operation checks ..................... 58
Pre-operation checklist .................... 58
Pre-operation check points........... 60
Pre-launch checks ........................... 60
Post-launch checks ......................... 66
Operation ......................................... 68
Operating your watercraft ............. 68
Getting to know your watercraft ...... 68
Learning to operate your
watercraft ...................................... 68
Riding position ................................. 69
Launching the watercraft ................. 69
Starting the engine on water ............ 69
Stopping the engine ......................... 70
Leaving the watercraft...................... 70
Operating the watercraft .................. 70
Turning the watercraft ...................... 71
Stopping the watercraft ................... 72
Operating the watercraft in reverse
or neutral....................................... 73
Boarding the watercraft ................... 74
Starting off........................................ 76
Capsized watercraft ......................... 77
Beaching and docking the
watercraft ...................................... 78
Operating in weeded areas .............. 78
After removing the watercraft from
the water ....................................... 79
Care and storage............................. 80
Post-operation care ...................... 80
Flushing the cooling water
passages....................................... 80
Cleaning the watercraft .................... 81
Battery care ...................................... 81
Long-term storage ........................ 84
Cleaning ........................................... 84
Lubrication ....................................... 84Rustproofing ..................................... 84
Maintenance .................................... 86
Maintenance ................................. 86
Tool kit.............................................. 86
Periodic maintenance chart ............. 87
Engine oil and oil filter ...................... 89
Specifications .................................. 90
Specifications ............................... 90
Trouble recovery ............................. 91
Troubleshooting ............................ 91
Troubleshooting chart ...................... 91
Emergency procedures ................ 94
Cleaning the jet intake and
impeller ......................................... 94
Raising the reverse gate .................. 95
Jumping the battery ......................... 95
Towing the watercraft....................... 96
Submerged watercraft ..................... 96
Index................................................. 98
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Description
21
EJU31012
Location of main components
Exterior
1
11
2
345
6
7
8
9
107
1Hood
2Fuel filler cap (page 50)
3Handlebar
4Front seat (page 43)
5Rear seat (page 43)
6Footwell
7Pull-up cleat (VX Limited) (page 46)
8Sponson
9Gunwale
10Cooling water pilot outlet (page 29)
11Bow eye (page 45)
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Control function operation
29
zle is changed, and the direction of the water-
craft is changed accordingly.
Since the strength of the jet thrust determines
the speed and degree of a turn, throttle must
always be applied when attempting a turn,
except at trolling speed.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha En-
gine Management System (YEMS) that in-
cludes an off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
It will activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releasing
the throttle lever. The OTS system assists in
turning by continuing to supply some thrust
while the watercraft is decelerating, but you
can turn more sharply if you apply throttle
while turning the handlebars. The OTS sys-
tem does not function below planing speeds
or when the engine is off. Once the engine
slows down, the watercraft will no longer turn
in response to handlebar input until you apply
throttle again or you reach trolling speed.EJU35975Cooling water pilot outlet
When the engine is running, some of the
cooling water that is circulated in the engine
is discharged from the cooling water pilot
outlet.
There is a cooling water pilot outlet on the
port (left) side of the watercraft. To check for
proper operation of the cooling system, make
sure that water is being discharged from the
cooling water pilot outlet. If water is not being
discharged from the outlet, stop the engine
and check the jet intake for clogging. (See
page 94 for information on the jet intake.)
TIP:
It will take about 60 seconds for the water
to reach the outlet after the engine is start-
ed.
Water discharge may not be constant
when the engine is running at idling speed.
If this occurs, apply a little throttle to make
sure that water discharges properly.
EJU40323Water separator
The water separator prevents water from en-
tering the fuel tank by collecting any water
that has entered the fuel tank breather hose if
the watercraft was capsized.
1Handlebar
2Jet thrust nozzle
1
21Cooling water pilot outlet
1
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Instrument operation
41
warning is activated, the maximum engine
speed is limited.
If the engine overheat warning is activated,
immediately reduce the engine speed, return
to shore, and then make sure that water is
being discharged from the cooling water pilot
outlet while the engine is running. If there is
no discharge of water, stop the engine, and
then check the jet intake for clogging. (See
page 94 for information on the jet intake.)
NOTICE: If you cannot locate and correct
the cause of the overheating, consult a
Yamaha dealer. Continuing to operate at
higher speeds could result in severe en-
gine damage.
[ECJ00042]
EJU43731
Check engine warning
If a sensor malfunction or a short circuit is de-
tected, the check engine warning indicator
and the “WARNING” indicator light blink, and
the buzzer sounds intermittently for 30 sec-
onds.If the engine is stopped after the check en-
gine warning is activated, the information dis-
play will indicate an error code.
If the check engine warning is activated, im-
mediately reduce the engine speed, return to
shore, and have a Yamaha dealer check the
engine.
EJU43740Hour meter
The hour meter shows the total number of
hours that the engine has been running since
the watercraft was new.
TIP:
The elapsed time will be kept even if the bat-
tery terminals have been disconnected.
EJU43751Voltmeter
The voltmeter shows the battery voltage.
When the battery voltage is normal, the volt-
meter displays approximately 12 volts.
1Hour meter
1
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Operation and handling requirements
53
EJU40291
Engine oil requirementsEJU43950Engine oil
NOTICE
ECJ00282
Use only 4-stroke engine oil. Usage of 2-
stroke engine oil could result in severe en-
gine damage.
Checking the engine oil level
WARNING
EWJ00341
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
ECJ00392
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.
TIP:
When checking the engine oil level on land,
the engine must be running while water is
being supplied to the cooling water pas-
sages. (See “Flushing the cooling water
passages” on page 80 for information on
supplying water.)
When checking the engine oil level on wa-
ter, moor the watercraft so that it will not
drift away.To check the engine oil level:
(1) With the engine stopped, place the wa-
tercraft in a precisely level position on
land or launch the watercraft.
(2) Look in all directions, and then start the
engine. (See page 69 for information on
starting the engine.)
(3) Run the engine at idling speed for 6 mi-
nutes or more. Run the engine an addi-
tional 5 minutes if the ambient
temperature is 20 °C (68 °F) or less.
(4) Stop the engine.
(5) Remove the seats. (See page 43 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
filler cap again and make sure that the Recommended engine oil type:
SAE 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-40,
20W-50
Recommended engine oil grade:
API SG, SH, SJ, SL
1Oil tank filler cap/Dipstick
1
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Pre-operation checks
59
TIP:
To ensure safety and reliability, pre-operation checks should be made each time the water-
craft is used.
Stern drain plugsCheck the stern drain plugs for damage and foreign
material and check that they are securely installed.65
HoodCheck that the hood is securely closed. 66
Front and rear seatsCheck that the seats are securely installed. 43
POST-LAUNCH CHECKS
Cooling water pilot outletCheck that water is discharged from the cooling
water pilot outlet while the engine is running.66
Multifunction information
centerCheck the multifunction information center for prop-
er operation.66
Shift system Check the shift system for proper operation. 66
Engine idling speedCheck the engine idling speed. 67 ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
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Pre-operation checks
66
Securely install the stern drain plugs by tight-
ening them until they stop.
EJU43810Hood check
Push down the hood latch and make sure
that it is securely closed.
EJU40146Post-launch checks
Perform the post-launch checks in the pre-
operation checklist while the watercraft is in
the water and the engine is running.
To perform the post-launch checks:
(1) Launch the watercraft. (See page 69 for
information on launching the watercraft.)
(2) Perform the checks and make sure that
there are no malfunctioning items or oth-
er problems.
EJU40553Cooling water pilot outlet check
Make sure that water is discharged from the
cooling water pilot outlet while the engine isrunning. (See page 29 for information on the
cooling water pilot outlet.)
EJU32715Multifunction information center check
Make sure that the multifunction information
center operates properly. (See page 38 for in-
formation on proper operation of the multi-
function information center.)
EJU43392Shift system check
Operate the throttle lever and RiDE lever, and
check that the watercraft moves or does not
move according to the displayed shift indica-
tor. (See page 31 for shift system operation
procedures.) WARNING! To avoid colli-
sions, operate at safe speeds and keep a
1Stern drain plug
1
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Operation
79
EJU40242After removing the watercraft from
the water
NOTICE
ECJ01311
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.
After operating and removing the watercraft
from the water, promptly discharge the re-
maining water from the cooling water pas-
sages.
To discharge water from the cooling water
passages:
(1) Make sure that the area around the wa-
tercraft is clear, and then start the en-
gine.
(2) Discharge the remaining water out of the
cooling water passages by alternately
squeezing and releasing the throttle lever
quickly for 10 to 15 seconds.
(3) Stop the engine.
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Care and storage
80
EJU37146
Post-operation care
WARNING
EWJ00331
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create
a fire hazard.
After using the watercraft, always take it out
of the water, clean it, and store it. Leaving the
watercraft in the water for extended periods
will accelerate the rate of normal deteriora-
tion of the jet pump and hull. Marine organ-
isms and corrosion are some of the
conditions that can shorten the life of many
watercraft components.
EJU43652Flushing the cooling water passages
NOTICE
ECJ01311
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.
Flush the cooling water passages to prevent
them from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt.
(1) Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion.
(2) Remove the seats and removable water-
tight storage compartment. (See page 43
for seat removal and installation proce-
dures and page 48 for information on the
removable watertight storage compart-
ment.)(3) Connect the garden hose adapter to a
garden hose.
(4) Loosen the flushing hose connector cap
and remove it. Insert the garden hose
adapter into the flushing hose connector
by pushing and twisting it until it is se-
curely connected.
(5) Connect the garden hose to a water tap.
(6) Make sure that the area around the wa-
tercraft is clear, and then start the en-
gine. Immediately after the engine starts,
fully turn the water supply on so that wa-
1Garden hose adapter
2Garden hose
1Garden hose adapter
2Flushing hose connector
3Flushing hose connector cap
12
12
3
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