cooling YAMAHA VX SPORT 2008 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
Model information ........................... 2
Builder’s plate .................................... 2
Important labels .............................. 3
Warning labels ................................... 4
Other labels ....................................... 7
Safety information ............................. 9
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft .............................. 9
Cruising limitations ....................... 10
Operation requirements ............... 11
Recommended equipment ........... 13
Hazard information ....................... 14
Watercraft characteristics ............. 14
Water-skiing ................................. 16
Safe boating rules ........................ 17
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly ................................ 18
Features and functions ................... 19
Location of main components ...... 19
Operation of controls and other
functions .................................... 23
Seat ................................................. 23
Hood ................................................ 23
Fuel tank filler cap ........................... 24
Remote control transmitter
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 24
Engine stop switch .......................... 25
Engine shut-off switch ..................... 25
Start switch ...................................... 26
Throttle lever ................................... 26
Cooling water pilot outlet ................. 26
Steering system ............................... 27
Shift lever (for VX Deluxe/
VX Cruiser) .................................. 27
Handgrip .......................................... 28Bow eye ........................................... 28
Stern eyes ....................................... 28
Yamaha Engine Management
System (YEMS) ........................... 28
Yamaha Security System and
low-RPM mode (for VX Deluxe/
VX Cruiser) .................................. 29
Multifunction information center ...... 30
Storage compartments .................... 35
Operation ......................................... 38
Fuel and oil .................................. 38
Gasoline .......................................... 38
Engine oil ......................................... 39
Filling the fuel tank .......................... 39
Pre-operation checks ................... 40
Pre-operation check list ................... 40
Pre-operation check points .............. 42
Operation ..................................... 49
Engine break-in ............................... 49
Launching the watercraft ................. 49
Starting the engine .......................... 49
Stopping the engine ........................ 51
Leaving the watercraft ..................... 51
Operating your watercraft ............ 52
Getting to know your watercraft ....... 52
Learning to operate your
watercraft ..................................... 52
Riding with passengers ................... 53
Starting the watercraft ..................... 53
Boarding and starting in deep
water ............................................ 54
Capsized watercraft ......................... 57
Turning the watercraft ..................... 58
Stopping the watercraft ................... 60
Beaching the watercraft ................... 60
Docking the watercraft ..................... 60
Reverse on waterways
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 60
Rough water operation .................... 61
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Table of contents
Post-operation care ...................... 61
Transporting ................................. 62
Maintenance and care ..................... 63
Storage ......................................... 63
Flushing the cooling system ............ 63
Lubrication ....................................... 64
Fuel system ..................................... 64
Battery ............................................. 65
Cleaning the watercraft ................... 65
Maintenance and adjustments ..... 66
Owner’s/operator’s manual and
tool kit ........................................... 67
Periodic maintenance chart ............. 68
Checking the fuel system ................ 70
Engine oil and oil filter ..................... 70
Air filter element .............................. 71
Checking the jet thrust nozzle
angle ............................................ 71
Checking the shift cable
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 71
Checking and adjusting the throttle
cable ............................................ 72
Cleaning and adjusting the spark
plugs ............................................ 72
Lubrication points ............................ 73
Checking the battery ....................... 74
Fuel injection system ....................... 75
Specifications .................................. 77
Specifications ................................ 77
Trouble recovery ............................. 78
Troubleshooting ........................... 78
Troubleshooting chart ...................... 78
Emergency procedures ................ 80
Cleaning the jet intake and
impeller ........................................ 80
Jumping the battery ......................... 81
Replacing the fuses ......................... 82
Towing the watercraft ...................... 83
Submerged watercraft ..................... 83
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Features and functions
19
EJU31010
Location of main components
Front view
1Handlebars
2Seat
3Footwell
4Sponsons
5Gunwale
6Cooling water pilot outlet
7Fuel tank filler cap
8Bow eye
9Hood
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Features and functions
26
EJU31191Start switch
Push the start switch (green button) to start
the engine.
NOTE:
The engine will not start when the lock mode
of the Yamaha Security System has been se-
lected (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser), the clip is
removed from the engine shut-off switch, or
the throttle lever is squeezed. (See page 29
for Yamaha Security System lock and unlock
mode selection procedures.)
EJU31210Throttle lever
Squeeze the throttle lever to increase engine
speed.
Release the throttle lever to decrease engine
speed or to return it to the idle position.
EJU35971Cooling water pilot outlet
This watercraft is equipped with a cooling wa-
ter pilot outlet.
When the engine is running, cooling water is
circulated in the engine, and then it is dis-
charged from the pilot outlet.
To check for proper operation of the cooling
system, check that water is being discharged
from the pilot outlet. If water is not being dis-
charged from the outlet, cooling water may
not be circulating in the engine. When this oc-
curs, stop the engine and check for the cause.
(See pages 33 and 80 for more information.)
NOTE:

If the cooling water passages are dry, it will
take about 60 seconds for the water to
reach the outlet after the engine is started.

Water discharge may not be constant at
idle, therefore, open the throttle a little to
check that water discharges properly.
1Start switch
1Throttle lever
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Features and functions
33
If this occurs, reduce the engine speed, return
to shore, and then check the engine oil level.
(See page 42 for engine oil level checking
procedures.) If the oil level is low, add enough
engine oil to raise it to the proper level. If the
oil level is sufficient, have a Yamaha dealer
check the watercraft.
NOTE:
Press the select button on the multifunction
information center to stop the buzzer.
EJU31604Engine overheat warning indicator
This model is equipped with an engine over-
heat warning system.
If the engine starts to overheat, the “WARN-
ING” light and the engine overheat warning in-
dicator blink, and then come on. The buzzer
also begins to sound intermittently, and then it
sounds continuously. After the light and indi-
cator start to blink and the buzzer sounds, theengine speed is limited to help prevent dam-
age.
If this occurs, immediately reduce the engine
speed, return to shore, and then check for wa-
ter discharge at the port (left) cooling water pi-
lot outlet while the engine is running. If there
is no discharge of water, shut the engine off,
and then check the intake grate and impeller
for clogging.
WARNING
EWJ00050
Before attempting to remove weeds or de-
bris from the intake grate or impeller, shut
the engine off and remove the clip from the
engine shut-off switch. Severe injury or
1Select button
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Operation
40
EJU31980
Pre-operation checks EJU31990Pre-operation check list
Before operating this watercraft, perform the checks in the following check list. See the accom-
panying text in this chapter for details on how to perform the checks.
WARNING
EWJ00410
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.
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. 46
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. 47
Fire extinguisherCheck the condition and replace if necessary. 45
Engine shut-off cordCheck the condition and replace if frayed or broken. 47
SwitchesCheck the start switch, engine stop switch, and en-
gine shut-off switch for proper operation.48
AFTER LAUNCH
Cooling water pilot outletCheck that water is discharged while the engine is
running and the watercraft is in the water.48
Multifunction information
centerCheck for warning indications and proper operation. 48
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Operation
42
EJU32280Pre-operation check points EJU32310Engine compartment
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.
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.
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.
EJU32390Fuel level
Check the fuel system for leakage, cracks,
and malfunctions before each use. (See page
70 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 39 for
filling procedures.)
(4) Install the fuel tank filler cap and the seat.
EJU32400Engine oil level
Check the engine oil level before each use.
CAUTION:
ECJ00390

When checking the engine oil level on
water, be careful of other watercraft,
boats, swimmers, and obstacles. The
water current and wind can cause the
watercraft to move and lead to a colli-
sion.

When checking the engine oil level on
land, supply water to the cooling water
passages. (See page 63 for procedures
on supplying water.)

Make sure that the engine has enough
oil, but do not overfill it. If there is too lit-
tle oil, the engine can be damaged. If
there is too much oil, the air filter can be-
come saturated with oil, permanently
damaging the filter and reducing engine
performance. Follow the checking pro-
cedure carefully.

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.
(2) Run the engine at trolling speed for 6 min-
utes or more, and then stop the engine.
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Operation
47
EJU32650Jet intake
Carefully check the jet intake for weeds, de-
bris, or anything else that might restrict the in-
take of water. If the jet intake is clogged,
cavitation could occur, reducing jet thrust, and
possibly damaging the jet pump.
In some cases, the engine may overheat be-
cause of lack of cooling water, and damage to
the engine could result. Cooling water is fed to
the engine by the jet pump. (See page 80 for
jet intake cleaning procedures.)
WARNING
EWJ00470

Keep away from the intake grate while
the engine is on. Items such as long hair,
loose clothing, or PFD straps can be-
come entangled in moving parts, result-
ing in severe injury or drowning.

Stop the engine and remove the clip
from the engine shut-off switch before
removing any debris or weeds, whichmay have collected around the jet in-
take.
EJU32660Engine shut-off cord
Check that the engine shut-off cord is not
frayed or broken. If the cord is damaged, re-
place it; never try to repair it or tie it together.
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Operation
48
EJU32670Switches
CAUTION:
ECJ00410
Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds when checking the switches on
land 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.
Push the start switch to start the engine. As
soon as the engine starts running, push the
engine stop switch to verify that the engine
stops immediately. Restart the engine, and
then pull the engine shut-off cord to remove
the clip from the engine shut-off switch to ver-
ify that the engine stops immediately. (See
pages 25 to 26 for information on proper op-
eration of the start switch, the engine stop
switch, and the engine shut-off switch.)
EJU32680Cooling water pilot outlet
Check that water comes out from the cooling
water pilot outlet while the engine is runningand the watercraft is in the water. (See page
26 for more information.)
EJU32710Multifunction information center
Check the multifunction information center for
proper operation. (See page 30 for informa-
tion on proper operation of the multifunction
information center.)
1Start switch
2Engine stop switch
3Engine shut-off switch
4Clip
5Engine shut-off cord
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Operation
61
during slow-speed maneuvering, such as
when docking.
Once the engine is idling, shift into reverse
and gradually increase engine speed. Make
sure that there are no obstacles or people be-
hind you before shifting into reverse.
EJU33350Rough water operation
The force of landing after jumping can cause
a strong impact on both the watercraft and the
operator and passengers. It is possible for the
operator to hit his or her chest or jaw on the
watercraft or handlebars and be injured. The
passengers could also impact the watercraft
and be injured.
Do not operate the watercraft with your chin
right above the handlebars. In addition, the
operator and passengers should keep their
feet on the floor of the footwell.
Operating in rough water or jumping waves
can also crack the watercraft hull and deck,
and damage internal parts. Avoid operating in
rough water or bad weather conditions.
EJU33381
Post-operation care
To keep your watercraft in top shape, always
take it out of the water after using it and per-
form the following procedures. Leaving the
watercraft in the water for extended periods
will accelerate the rate of normal deterioration
of the jet unit components and hull finish. Ma-
rine organisms and corrosion are some of the
conditions that can adversely affect the life of
many watercraft components.
(1) Remove the watercraft from the water.
(2) Wash down the hull, handlebars, and jet
unit with fresh water.
(3) Remove the seat and check the engine
compartment for water. To drain excess
water, remove the stern drain plugs, and
then raise the bow of the watercraft
enough to allow the water in the bilge to
drain out.
NOTE:
This watercraft is equipped with an automatic
bilge draining system that removes water
from the engine compartment while you are
underway. However, some residual water will
remain.
(4) Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion.
(5) Flush the cooling system to prevent it
from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt. (See
page 63 for flushing procedures.)
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