maintenance YAMAHA VX CRUISER 2021 Owners Manual

Important manual information
EJU30193
To the owner/operator
Thank you for choosing a Yamaha watercraft.
This owner’s/operator’s manual contains in-
formation you will need for proper operation,
maintenance, and care. If you have any ques-
tions about the operation or maintenance of
your watercraft, please consult a Yamaha
dealer.
This manual is not a course on boating safety
or seamanship. If this is your first watercraft,
or if you are changing to a type of watercraft
you are not familiar with, for your own com-
fort and safety, please ensure that you obtain
proper training or practice before operating
the watercraft by yourself. In addition, a
Yamaha dealer or boating organization will be pleased to recommend local sea schools, or
competent instructors.
In this manual, information of particular im-
portance is distinguished in the following
ways:
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used
to alert you to potential personal injury haz-
ards. Obey all safety messages that follow
this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
EWJ00072
A WARNING indicates a hazardous situa-
tion which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
ECJ00092
A NOTICE indicates special precautions
that must be taken to avoid damage to the
watercraft or other property.
TIP:
A TIP provides key information to make pro-
cedures easier or clearer.
EJU45451
Engine data recording
This model’s ECM stores certain engine data
to assist in the diagnosis of malfunctions and
for research, statistical analysis and develop-
ment purposes.
Although the sensors and recorded data will
vary by model, the main data points are:
Engine status and engine performance
data
This data will be uploaded only when a spe-
cial Yamaha diagnostic tool is attached to the
engine, such as when maintenance checks or
service procedures are performed. Engine
data uploaded will be handled appropriately
according to the following Privacy Policy.
Privacy Policy
Yamaha will not disclose this data to a third party except in the following cases. In addi-
tion, Yamaha may provide engine data to a
contractor in order to outsource services re-
lated to the handling of the engine data. Even
in this case, Yamaha will require the contrac-
tor to properly handle the engine data we
provided and Yamaha will appropriately
manage the data.
With the consent of the boat owner
Where obligated by law
For use by Yamaha in litigation
For general Yamaha-conducted research
purposes when the data is not related to an
individual engine or owner
https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/eu/
privacy/privacy-policy.aspx
UF4N70E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:13 PM

Table of contents
Equipment operation ...................... 54Equipment ..................................... 54
Seats ................................................ 54
Handgrip .......................................... 55
Reboarding grip ............................... 55
Reboarding step (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED).......... 55
Bow eye ........................................... 56
Stern eyes ........................................ 56
Cleat ................................................. 57
Pull-up cleats (VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) .................................. 57
Storage compartments .................... 57
Fire extinguisher holder and cover ... 60
Operation and handling
requirements ................................... 62 Fuel requirements ......................... 62
Fuel................................................... 62
Engine oil requirements ................ 64
Engine oil .......................................... 64
Draining the bilge water ................ 66
Draining the bilge water on land ...... 66
Draining the bilge water on water .... 66
Transporting on a trailer ................ 67
First-time operation ........................ 68 Engine break-in ............................. 68
Pre-operation checks ..................... 69
Pre-operation checklist .................... 69
Pre-operation check points........... 71
Pre-launch checks ........................... 71
Post-launch checks ......................... 76
Operation ......................................... 78 Operating your watercraft ............. 78
Getting to know your watercraft ...... 78
Learning to operate your
watercraft ...................................... 78
Riding position ................................. 79
Launching the watercraft ................. 79
Starting the engine on water ............ 79 Stopping the engine ......................... 80
Leaving the watercraft ...................... 81
Operating the watercraft .................. 81
Turning the watercraft ...................... 82
Stopping the watercraft.................... 84
Operating the watercraft in reverse
or neutral (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) .......... 84
Boarding the watercraft.................... 86
Starting off........................................ 88
Capsized watercraft ......................... 89
Beaching and docking the watercraft ...................................... 90
Operating in weeded areas .............. 90
After removing the watercraft from
the water ....................................... 91
Care and storage ............................ 92Post-operation care ...................... 92
Flushing the cooling water
passages....................................... 92
Cleaning the watercraft .................... 93
Battery care ...................................... 93
Long-term storage ........................ 95
Cleaning ........................................... 95
Lubrication ....................................... 95
Rustproofing ..................................... 96
Maintenance .................................... 98 Maintenance ................................. 98
Periodic maintenance chart ............. 99
Engine oil and oil filter .................... 101
Specifications ................................ 102Specifications ............................. 102
Trouble recovery ........................... 104 Troubleshooting .......................... 104
Troubleshooting chart .................... 104
Emergency procedures .............. 107
Cleaning the jet intake and
impeller ....................................... 107
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Safety information
19
EJU30992
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly
You share the areas you enjoy when riding
your watercraft with others and with nature.
So your enjoyment includes a responsibility
to treat these other people, and the lands,
waters, and wildlife with respect and courte-
sy.
Whenever and wherever you ride, think of
yourself as the guest of those around you.
Remember, for example, that the sound of
your watercraft may be music to you, but it
could be just noise to others. And the exciting
splash of your wake can make waves others
won’t enjoy.
Avoid riding close to shoreline homes and
waterfowl nesting areas or other wildlife ar-
eas, and keep a respectful distance from fish-
ermen, other boats, swimmers, and
populated beaches. When travel in areas like
these is unavoidable, ride slowly and obey all
laws.
Proper maintenance is necessary to ensure
that the exhaust emission and sound levels of
your watercraft will continue to be within reg-
ulated limits. You have the responsibility to
make sure that the recommended mainte-
nance in this owner’s/operator’s manual is
carried out.
Remember, pollution can be harmful to the
environment. Do not refuel or add oil where a
spill could cause damage to nature. Remove
your watercraft from the water and move it
away from the shoreline before refueling. Dis-
pose of water and any fuel and oil residue in
the engine compartment according to local
regulations. And keep your surroundings
pleasant for the people and wildlife that share
the waterways: don’t litter. When you ride responsibly, with respect and
courtesy for others, you help ensure that our
waterways stay open for the enjoyment of a
variety of recreational opportunities.
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Instrument operation
49
Displaying the time since the last mainte-
nance (“Wellness”)
The total number of hours that the engine has
been running since the last watercraft main-
tenance can be displayed.
To reset the number of hours of operation:
Select “Reset”.
Resetting the settings (“Reset”)
The settings can be reset to their factory de-
fault settings. The items that are reset and the
default settings are as follows.
Display units: US Unit
Language: English
Trip time: 0.0
Distance traveled: 0.0
Average fuel consumption per gallon or li-
ter: 0.0
Total fuel used: 0.0
To reset the settings:
Select “Reset”.
EJU45190Engine lock screen “ ”
The engine lock screen shows the setting
screen for the Yamaha Security System in the
center display. (See page 25 for Yamaha Se-
curity System setting procedures.)
EJU46400Warning function
The multifunction information center can indi-
cate the following warnings.
Fuel level warning
Battery voltage warning
Check engine warning
Engine overheat warning
Oil pressure warning
Other warnings (communication errors, ex-
ceeding the maintenance intervals, and so
on)
To stop the buzzer when a malfunction is ac-
tivated, correct the cause of the problem and
start the engine again, or push the “OK” but-
ton of the touchpad control.
Fuel level warning
If the amount of remaining fuel is low, the low-
est fuel level segment blinks orange, “Low
Wellness
Time Since Last Maintenance 0Hrs
Reset
Reset
Reset To Factory?
Reset
1 “OK” button
1
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Instrument operation
51
TIP:
While the engine overheat warning is acti-
vated, the maximum engine speed is limit-
ed.
Push the “OK” button of the touchpad con-
trol to display a description of the warning
in the center display.
Oil pressure warning “ ”
If the oil pressure drops significantly, “ ”
and “ ” are shown in the warning bar, and
the buzzer sounds intermittently.
If the oil pressure warning is activated, imme-
diately reduce the engine speed, return to
shore, and then check the engine oil level.
(See page 64 for information on checking the
engine oil level.) If the oil level is sufficient,
have a Yamaha dealer check the watercraft.
TIP:
While the oil pressure warning is activated,
the maximum engine speed is limited.
Push the “OK” button of the touchpad con-
trol to display a description of the warning
in the center display.
Other warnings (communication errors,
exceeding the maintenance intervals, and
so on) “ ”
If any other malfunction is detected or if the
engine has been operated for more than 50
hours since the last maintenance, the warn-
ing bar is shown instead of the tachometer
value display, “ ” is shown, and the buzz-
er sounds intermittently. If a warning is activated, have the watercraft
serviced by a Yamaha dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
TIP:
Push the “OK” button of the touchpad control
to display a description of the warning in the
center display.
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Care and storage
95
(4) Store the battery in a cool, dry place.NOTICE: Storing the battery in an un-
charged condition can cause perma-
nent battery damage. Check the
battery periodically.
[ECJ00103]
To install the battery:
(1) Place the battery in the battery compart- ment and hook the battery bands onto
the holders.
(2) Connect the positive (+) battery lead (red) to the positive (+) battery terminal.
NOTICE: Reversal of the battery leads
will damage the electrical parts.
[ECJ00262]
(3) Connect the negative (–) battery lead (black) to the negative (–) battery termi-
nal.
(4) Make sure that the battery is securely held in place.
EJU33493
Long-term storageEWJ00331
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.
Storage for long periods of time, such as win-
ter storage, requires preventive maintenance
to ensure against deterioration. It is advisable
to have the watercraft serviced by a Yamaha
dealer prior to storage.
However, the following procedures can be
performed easily by the owner.
EJU40763Cleaning
(1) Flush the cooling water passages. (See
page 92 for information on flushing the
cooling water passages.)
TIP:
If you will be storing the watercraft for a pro-
longed period, such as winter storage, top off
the fuel tank with fresh gasoline and add fuel
stabilizer and conditioner to the fuel tank ac-
cording to the manufacturer’s instruction be-
fore starting the engine.
(2) Clean the watercraft. (See page 93 for in-formation on cleaning the watercraft.)
Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
EJU43663Lubrication
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, lubricate them with water-resistant
grease.
Recommended water-resistant grease:
YAMALUBE MARINE
GREASE/Yamaha Grease A
Recommended water-resistant grease:YAMALUBE MARINE GREASE /
Ya m a h a G r e a s e A
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Maintenance
98
EJU3376A
Maintenance
Periodic checks and lubrication will keep
your watercraft in the safest and most effi-
cient condition possible. Therefore, make
sure to carry out the periodic maintenance.
Safety is an obligation of the watercraft own-
er. Proper maintenance must be carried out
to keep the exhaust emission and sound lev-
els within the regulated limits. The most im-
portant points of watercraft inspection and
lubrication are explained on the following
pages.
See a Yamaha dealer for genuine Yamaha re-
placement parts and optional accessories
designed for your watercraft.
Remember, failures that are the result of the
installation of parts or accessories which are
not qualitatively equivalent to genuine
Yamaha parts are not covered by the limited warranty.
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and system
may be performed by any marine SI engine
repair establishment or individual. War-
ranty repair, however, must be performed
at an authorized Yamaha marine dealer-
ship.
EWJ00312
Be sure to turn off the engine when you
perform maintenance unless otherwise
specified. If you are not familiar with ma-
chine servicing, this work should be done
by a Yamaha dealer or other qualified me-
chanic.
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Maintenance
99
EJU43102Periodic maintenance chart
The periodic maintenance chart gives general guidelines for periodic maintenance. Have a
Yamaha dealer perform the checks in the following chart. However, maintenance may need to be performed more frequently depending on your operating conditions. If you have any
questions, consult a Yamaha dealer.
This “ √” mark indicates items to be checked and serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Item OperationInitial Thereafter every
Page
10 hours 50 hours
or 12
months *1 100
hours or 12
months *1 200
hours or 24
months *1
Fuel line Check fuel hoses and
clamps
√
—
Fuel filler cap/Wa-
ter separator Check O-rings for cracks
and deformation
√
—
Fuel tank Check installation and
straps
√
—
Water inlet strainer Check for clogs and dam-
age
√
—
Cooling water hos-
es Check for damage and
leakage, and check
clamps
√
—
Engine oil Replace √√ 101
Oil filter Replace √101
Intermediate hous-
ing Lubricate
√—
Spark plugs Check √√ —
Battery Check state of charge,
terminals and bands
√
—
Battery leads Check terminals √—
Steering master Check operation and for
looseness
√√
—
Steering cable Check exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate
√
—
Shift rod and re-
verse gate (VX /
VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED) Check exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate
√
—
Air filter element Check for damage and
dirt
√
—
Air intake hoses Check for damage, and
check clamps
√
—
Throttle body Lubricate throttle valve √—
UF4N70E0.book Page 99 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:13 PM

Maintenance
100
*1: Whichever comes first.
*2: Check every 200 hours.
Perform the pre-operation checks and post-operation checks before performing periodic
maintenance.
Exhaust systemCheck for exhaust leak-
age, and check hoses and
clamps √
—
Breather hose Check breather hose and
clamps
√
—
Impeller Check for bends, dam-
age, and foreign material
√
—
Jet thrust nozzle Check movement, and lu-
bricate
√
—
Jet vacuum bilge Check hoses for clogs
and damage, check
clamps, and clean bilge
strainer
√
—
Stern drain plugs Check O-rings √—
Anode Check for corrosion, and
clean
√
*2 —
Valve clearance Check and adjust √ *2 —
Rubber coupling Check for cracks, inden-
tations, looseness, and
noise √
—
Engine mount Check for damage and
peeling
√
—
Item
OperationInitial Thereafter every
Page
10 hours 50 hours
or 12
months *1 100
hours or 12
months *1 200
hours or 24
months *1
UF4N70E0.book Page 100 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:13 PM

Maintenance
101
EJU36943Engine oil and oil filterEWJ00341
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.
ECJ00992
Do not run the engine with too much or not
enough oil in the engine, otherwise the en-
gine could be damaged.
It is recommended to have a Yamaha dealer
change the engine oil and the engine oil filter.
However, if you choose to change the oil and
filter on your own, consult a Yamaha dealer.
UF4N70E0.book Page 101 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 5:13 PM