Yamaha VZ225C, Z250C, LZ250C, VZ250C User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

VZ225C
Z250C
LZ250C
VZ250C

U.S.A.Edition

LIT-18626-05-68

USE UNLEADED STRAIGHT GASOLINE ONLY

CAUTION

• Gasoline containing lead can cause performance loss and

• Do not use gasoline mixed with oil during the break-in period

and engine damage.

001629

or any time afterwards.

YAMALUBE 2 STROKE OUTBOARD OIL IS
RECOMMENDED

EMU01449

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TO THE OWNER

Thank you for choosing a Yamaha outboard
motor. This Owner’s manual contains infor­mation needed for proper operation, mainte­nance and care. A thorough understanding
of these simple instructions will help you
obtain maximum enjoyment from your new
Yamaha. If you have any question about the
operation or maintenance of your outboard
motor, please consult a Yamaha dealer.

In this Owner’s Manual particularly impor­tant information is distinguished in the fol­lowing ways.

Q The Safety Alert Symbol means

ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT!
YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!

w

Failure to follow WARNING instructions
could result in severe injury or death to
the machine operator, a bystander, or a
person inspecting or repairing the out­board motor.

cC

A CAUTION indicates special precau­tions that must be taken to avoid dam­age to the outboard motor.

NOTE:

A NOTE provides key information to make
procedures easier or clearer.

* Yamaha continually seeks advancements

in product design and quality. Therefore,
while this manual contains the most cur­rent product information available at the
time of printing, there may be minor dis­crepancies between your machine and
this manual. If there is any question con­cerning this manual, please consult your
Yamaha dealer.

NOTE:

The Z250TR, LZ250TR, VZ250TR, and their
standard accessories are used as a base
for the explanations and illustrations in this
manual. Therefore, some items may not
apply to every model.

EMU01446

VZ225C, Z250C, LZ250C, VZ250C

OWNER'S MANUAL

©2003 by Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

1st Edition, August 2003

All rights reserved.

Any reprinting or unauthorized use

without the written permission of

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

is expressly prohibited.

Printed in Japan

P/N LIT-18626-05-68

EMU00003

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CONTENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

BASIC COMPONENTS

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

1

2

3

4

TROUBLE RECOVERY

INDEX

READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAREFULLY

BEFORE OPERATING YOUR OUTBOARD MOTOR.

5

6

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EMU00004

Chapter 1

GENERAL

INFORMATION

IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

RECORD .................................................1-1

Outboard motor serial number..............1-1

Key number...........................................1-1

EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION ..1-2

North American models ........................1-2

Star labels.............................................1-3

SAFETY INFORMATION ........................1-4

IMPORTANT LABELS ............................1-6

BASIC BOATING RULES .......................1-8

1

2

3

FUELING INSTRUCTIONS...................1-12

Gasoline..............................................1-13

Engine oil ............................................1-13

BATTERY REQUIREMENT...................1-14

PROPELLER SELECTION ...................1-15

START-IN-GEAR PROTECTION...........1-16

4

5

6

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YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.
MADE IN JAPAN
PAYS D'ORIGINE JAPON

001383

001568

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YAMAHA

EMU00005

IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

RECORD

EMU00007

OUTBOARD MOTOR SERIAL
NUMBER

The outboard motor serial number is
stamped on the label attached to the port
side of the clamp-bracket.
Record your outboard motor serial number
in the spaces provided to assist you in
ordering spare parts from your Yamaha
dealer or for reference in case your out­board motor is stolen.

1 Outboard motor serial number

EMU00008

KEY NUMBER

q

123

1-1

000319

If a main key switch is equipped with the
motor, the key identification number is
stamped on your key as shown in the illus­tration. Record this number in the space
provided for reference in case you need a
new key.

1 Key number

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001592

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EMU01385

EMISSION CONTROL

INFORMATION

EMU01902

NORTH AMERICAN MODELS

This engine conforms to U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for
marine SI engines. See the label affixed to
your engine for details.

q

EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION

ENGINE FAMILY :

THIS ENGINE CONFORMS TO 2001 U.S. EPA REGULATIONS FOR MARINE SI ENGINES.
THIS ENGINE CONFORMS TO 2001 CALIFORNIA EMISSION REGULATIONS FOR SI MARINE ENGINES.
REFER TO THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS.

g/kw-hr

FELs :
SPARK PLUG :

DISPLACEMENT :

ADVERTISED POWER :

IDLE SPEED :
SPARK PLUG GAP (mm) :

3

cm

FUEL : GASOLINE
VALVE LASH (mm) :

kW

rpm IN NEUTRAL

IN EX

DFI

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Manufactured:

Approval label of Emission control cer­tificate

This label is attached to the bottom cowling.

1 Emission control information label

New Technology ; (4-stroke/HPDI) DFI

Manufactured date label

This label is attached to the clamp bracket.

2 Manufactured date label

1-2

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001569

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EMU01389

STAR LABELS

Your outboard motor is labeled with a
California Air Resources Board (CARB) star
label. See below for a description of your
particular label.

1 Star label

One Star - Low Emission

The one-star label identifies engines that
meet the Air Resources Board’s 2001
exhaust emission standards. Engines meet­ing these standards have 75% lower emis­sions than conventional carbureted two­stroke engines. These engines are
equivalent to the U.S. EPA’s 2006 standards
for marine engines.

Two Stars - Very Low Emission

The two-star label identifies engines that
meet the Air Resources Board’s 2004
exhaust emission standards. Engines meet­ing these standards have 20% lower emis­sions than One Star-Low-Emission engines.

1-3

Three Stars - Ultra Low Emission

The three-star label identifies engines that
meet the Air Resources Board’s 2008
exhaust emission standards. Engines meet­ing these standards have 65% lower emis­sions than One Star-Low-Emission engines.

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EMU00917

QSAFETY INFORMATION

8 Before mounting or operating the out-

board motor, read this entire manual.
Reading it should give you an under­standing of the motor and its operation.

8 Before operating the boat, read any

owner’s or operator’s manuals supplied
with it and all labels. Be sure you under­stand each item before operating.

8 Do not overpower the boat with this out-

board motor. Overpowering the boat
could result in loss of control. The rated
power of the outboard should be equal to
or less than the rated horsepower capaci­ty of the boat. If the rated horsepower
capacity of the boat is unknown, consult
the dealer or boat manufacturer.

8 Do not modify the outboard. Modifications

could make the motor unfit or unsafe to
use.

8 Never operate after drinking alcohol or

taking drugs. About 50% of all boating
fatalities involve intoxication.

8 Have an approved personal flotation

device (PFD) on board for every occu­pant. It is a good idea to wear a PFD
whenever boating. At a minimum, children
and non-swimmers should always wear
PFDs, and everyone should wear PFDs
when there are potentially hazardous
boating conditions.

8 Gasoline is highly flammable, and its

vapors are flammable and explosive.
Handle and store gasoline carefully. Make
sure there are no gas fumes or leaking
fuel before starting the engine.

8 This product emits exhaust gases which

contain carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless gas which may cause brain
damage or death when inhaled.
Symptoms include nausea, dizziness,
and drowsiness. Keep cockpit and cabin
areas well ventilated. Avoid blocking
exhaust outlets.

8 Check throttle, shift, and steering for

proper operation before starting the
engine.

8 Attach the engine stop switch lanyard to a

secure place on your clothing, or your
arm or leg while operating. If you acciden­tally leave the helm, the lanyard will pull
from the switch, stopping the engine.

8 Know the marine laws and regulations

where you will be boating - and obey
them. Refer to the “RULES OF THE
ROAD” section for basic boating rules.

8 Stay informed about the weather. Check

weather forecasts before boating. Avoid
boating in hazardous weather.

8 Tell someone where you are going: leave

a Float Plan with a responsible person.
Be sure to cancel the Float Plan when
you return.

1-4

8 Use common sense and good judgment

when boating. Know your abilities, and be
sure you understand how your boat han­dles under the different boating conditions
you may encounter. Operate within your
limits, and the limits of your boat. Always
operate at safe speeds, and keep a care­ful watch for obstacles and other traffic.

8 Always watch carefully for swimmers dur-

ing the engine operation.

8 Stay away from swimming areas.
8 When a swimmer is in the water near you

shift into neutral and shut off the engine.

8 Be informed about boating safety.

Additional publications and information
can be obtained from many organiza­tions, including the following:

United States Coast Guard

Consumer Affairs Staff (G-BC)
Office of Boating, Public, and Consumer
Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters
Washington, D.C. 20593-0001
Boating Safety Hotline: [phone]

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National Marine Manufacturers

Association (NMMA)

401 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Il 60611

Marine Retailers Association of America

155 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Il 60601

1-5

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WARNING

6K1-83623-41

YAMAHA

Use only a counterclockwise rotation propeller with this engine.
Counterclockwise propellers are marked with a letter "L"
after the size indication.
The wrong type of propeller could cause the boat to go
in an unexpected direction, which could lead to an accident.

WARNING

¡Be sure shift control is in neutral

before starting engine. (except 2HP)

¡Do not touch or remove electrical parts

when starting or during operation.

¡Keep hands,hair,and clothes away from flywheel

and other rotating parts while engine is running.

6A1-83625-41

ENGINE OIL ONLY

WARNING

6E5-13437-43

Pour the engine oil into this oil tank, not gasoline.

RECOMMENDED OIL:

YAMALUBE 2 STROKE OUTBOARD OIL or an equivalent TC-W3 certified outborad oil.

Do not add gasoline to the oil tank.
Fire or explosion could result.

OIL TANK

CAPACITY:10.5 LITERS

11.1 U.S. qt.

9.2 IMP. qt.

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EMU00014*

IMPORTANT LABELS

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001582

000577

1

2 (LZ250)

3

WARNING LABELS

NOTE:

For engine oil specifications, see “Engine
oil” in this chapter.

1-6

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4

CAUTION LABELS

1-7

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EMU00015

BASIC BOATING RULES

(Rules of the road)

Just as there are rules which apply when
you are driving on streets and high ways,
there are waterway rules which apply when
you are driving your boat. These rules are
used internationally, and are also enforced
by the United States Coast Guard and local
agencies. You should be aware of these
rules, and follow them whenever you
encounter another vessel on the water.

Several sets of rules prevail according to
geographic location, but are all basically the
same as the International Rules of the
Road. The rules presented here in your
Owner’s Manual are condensed, and have
been provided for your convenience only.
Consult your local U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary or Department of Motor Vehicles
for a complete set of rules governing the
waters in which you will be using your boat.

STEERING AND SAILING RULES
AND SOUND SIGNALS

Whenever two vessels on the water meet
one another, one vessel has the right-of­way; it is called the “stand-on” vessel. The
vessel which does not have the right-of-way
is called the “give-way” or “burdened” ves-
sel. These rules determine which vessel has
the right-of-way, and what each vessel
should do.

Stand-on vessel

The vessel with the right-of-way has the
duty to continue its course and speed,
except to avoid an immediate collision.
When you maintain your direction and
speed, the other vessel will be able to deter­mine how best to avoid you.

Give-way vessel

The vessel which does not have the right­of-way has the duty to take positive and
timely action to stay out of the way of the
Stand-On vessel. Normally, you should not
cross in front of the vessel with the right-of­way. You should slow down or change direc­tions briefly and pass behind the other ves­sel. You should always move in such a way
that the operator of the other vessel can see
what you are doing.

“The general prudential rule”

This rule is called Rule 2 in the International
Rules and says,

‘In obeying and construing these rules
due regard shall be had to all dangers
of navigation and collision, and to any
special circumstances, which may ren­der a departure from the above rules
necessary in order to avoid immediate
danger.’

In other words, follow the standard rules
except when a collision will occur unless
both vessels try to avoid each other. If that
is the case, both vessels become “Give-
Way” vessels.

1-8

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102045

RULES WHEN ENCOUNTERING
VESSELS

There are three main situations which you
may encounter with other vessels which
could lead to a collision unless the Steering
Rules are followed:

Meeting (you are approaching another ves­sel head-on)
Crossing (you are traveling across the
other vessel’s path)
Overtaking (you are passing or being
passed by another vessel)

In the following illustration, your boat is in
the center. You should give the right-of-way
to any vessels shown in white area (you are
the Give-Way vessel). Any vessels in the
shaded area must yield to you (they are the
Give-Way vessels). Both you and the meet­ing vessel must alter course to avoid each
other.

one another if you continue on your set
course and speed.

102044

Crossing

When two power driven vessels are cross­ing each other’s path close enough to run
the risk of collision, the vessel which has
the other on the starboard (right) side must
keep out of the way of the other. If the other
vessel is on your right, you must keep out of
its way; you are the Give-Way vessel. If the
other vessel is on your port (left) side,
remember that you should maintain course
and direction, provided the other vessel
gives you the right-of-way as it should.

Meeting

If you are meeting another power vessel
head on, and are close enough to run the
risk of collision, neither of you has the right­of-way! Both of you should alter course to
avoid an accident. You should keep the
other vessel on your port (left) side. This
rule doesn’t apply if both of you will clear

1-9

102046

Overtaking

If you are passing another vessel, you are
the “Give-Way” vessel. This means that the
other vessel is expected to maintain its
course and speed. You must stay out of its

E

way until you are clear of it. Likewise, if
another vessel is passing you, you should
maintain your speed and direction so that
the other vessel can steer itself around you.

OTHER SPECIAL SITUATIONS

There are three other rules you should be
aware of when driving your boat around
other vessels.

Narrow channels and bends

When navigating in narrow channels, you
should keep to the right when it is safe and
practical to do so. If the operator of a power­driven vessel is preparing to go around a
bend that may obstruct the view of other
water vessels, the operator should sound a
prolonged blast on the whistle (4 to 6 sec­onds). If another vessel is around the bend,
it too should sound the whistle. Even if no
reply is heard, however, the vessel should
still proceed around the bend with caution. If
you navigate such waters with your boat,
you will need to carry a portable air horn,
available from local marine supply stores.

Fishing vessel right-of-way

All vessels which are fishing with nets, lines
or trawls are considered to be “fishing ves­sels” under the International Rules. Vessels
with trolling lines are not considered fishing
vessels. Fishing vessels have the right-of­way regardless of position. Fishing vessels
cannot, however, impede the passage of
other vessels in narrow channels.

Sailing vessel right-of-way

Sailing vessels should normally be given
the right-of-way. The exceptions to this are:

1. When the sailing vessel is overtaking
the power-driven vessel, the power-dri-

ven vessel has the right-of-way.

2. Sailing vessels should keep clear of
any fishing vessel.

3. In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel
should not hamper the safe passage of
a power-driven vessel which can navi­gate only in such a channel.

Reading buoys and other markers

The waters of the United states are marked
for safe navigation by the lateral system of
buoyage. Simply put, buoys and markers
have an arrangement of shapes, colors,
numbers and lights to show which side of
the buoy a boater should pass on when
navigating in a particular direction. The
markings on these buoys are oriented from
the perspective of being entered from sea­ward (the boater is going towards the port).
This means that red buoys are passed on
the starboard (right) side when proceeding
from open water into port, and black buoys
are to port (left) side. When navigating out
of port, your position with respect to the
buoys should be reversed; red buoys should
be to port and black buoys to starboard.
Many bodies of water used by boaters are
entirely within the boundaries of a particular
state. The Uniform State Waterway Marking
System has been devised for these waters.
This system uses buoys and signs with dis­tinctive shapes and colors to show regulato­ry or advisory information. These markers
are white with black letters and orange
boarders. They signify speed zones, restrict­ed areas, danger areas, and general infor­mation.

1-10

Remember, markings may vary by geo-

1

1

A

1

1

Proceeding toward head

of navigation from seaward

CAN BUOY

Odd number. Leave to port.

OR

SECONDARY CHANNEL BUOYS

STARTS NEW NUMBERING SYSTEM

old new

C " 1

"

NUN BUOY

Even number. Leave to starboard

N

"

2

"

No change

BUOY

COLOR CODE

BLACK

RED

GREEN

"

A

"

"

2

"

"

1

"

"

3

"

"

4

"

"

5

"

"

7

"

N

"

2

"

"

6

"

C

"

1

"

RB

"

L

"

RG

"

L

"

or

SECONDARY CHANNEL

MAIN CHANNEL

old

new

2

2

2

A

L

L

Odd number. increasing toward head of naviga-

MAIN CHANNEL BUOYS

"

1

" "

3

" "

5

" "

7

"

tion.Leave to port (left) proceeding upstream.

LIGHTED BUOY (Port Hand)`

White Light

Green Light

old

new

old

new

old

new

LIGHTED BUOY (Starboard Hand)`

"

2

" "

4

" "

6

"

Even number,increasing toward head of naviga­tion. Leave to starboard (right) proceeding up­stream.

White Light Red Light

"

A

"

LIGHTED SAFE WATER BUOY

No number. Marks midchannel, pass on either
side. Letter has no lateral significance, used for

No number. Topmost band red

-

preferred

Top Mark

White Light

White Light

OR

OR

LIGHTED PREFERRED CHANNEL TO

RB

"

L

"

RG

"

L

"

PORT BUOY

identification and location purposes.

channel is to left of buoy. Letter has no lateral
significance, used for identification and location
purposes.

Red Light

Red or
White Light

OR

102052

graphic location. Always consult local boat­ing authorities before driving your boat in
unfamiliar waters.

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1-11

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EMU01903

FUELING INSTRUCTIONS

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GASOLINE AND ITS VAPORS ARE HIGH­LY FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE!
8 Do not smoke when refueling, and

keep away from sparks, flames, or
other sources of ignition.

8 Stop engine before refueling.
8 Refuel in a well-ventilated area. Refuel

portable fuel tanks off the boat.

8 Take care not to spill gasoline. If gaso-

line spills, wipe it up immediately with
dry rags.

8 Do not overfill the fuel tank.
8 Tighten the filler cap securely after

refueling.

8 If you should swallow some gasoline,

inhale a lot of gasoline vapor, or get
gasoline in your eyes, get immediate
medical attention.

8 If any gasoline spills onto your skin,

immediately wash with soap and
water. Change clothing if gasoline
spills on it.

8 Touch the fuel nozzle to the filler open-

ing or funnel to help prevent electro­static sparks.

cC

Use only new clean gasoline which has
been stored in clean containers and is
not contaminated with water or foreign
matter.

1-12

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EMU01804

GASOLINE

Recommended gasoline:

Regular unleaded gasoline with a
minimum octane rating of 86 (Pump
Octane Number) = (R+M)/2

If knocking or pinging occurs, use a different
brand of gasoline or premium unleaded
fuel.

EMU00027

Gasohol

There are two types of gasohol: gasohol
containing ethanol and that containing
methanol. Gasohol containing ethanol can
be used if ethanol content does not exceed
10% and the fuel meets minimum octane
ratings. Gasohol containing methanol is not
recommended by Yamaha because it can
cause fuel system damage or engine per­formance problems.

1-13

EMU19570

ENGINE OIL

Recommended engine oil:

YAMALUBE 2 STROKE OUTBOARD
OIL

Use Yamalube 2-M outboard oil. If Yamalube
2-M is not available, use only another out­board motor manufacturer’s factory-brand
oil with TC-W3 rating.

cC

Serious engine damage can result from
the use of lower quality oil, including
some commonly available oil brands
with “ TC-W3” on their label. To avoid the
risk, use only Yamalube 2-M or, if neces­sary, another outboard motor manufac­turer’s factory-brand TC-W3 oil.

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EMU01775

BATTERY REQUIREMENT

cC

Do not use a battery that does not meet
the specified capacity. If a battery which
does not meet specifications is used, the
electric system could perform poorly or
be overloaded, causing electric system
damage.

For electric start models, choose a battery
which meets the following specifications.

EMU01861

Minimum cold cranking amps
(CCA/SAE): 512 amps at -18°C (-0.4°F)
Minimum marine cranking amps
(MCA/ABYC): 675 amps at 0°C (32°F)
Minimum reserve capacity (RC/SAE):

182 minutes

EMU01787

NOTE:

The engine cannot be started if battery volt­age is too low.

1-14

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EMU01395

PROPELLER SELECTION

The performance of your outboard motor
will be critically affected by your choice of
propeller, as an incorrect choice could
adversely affect performance and could
also seriously damage the motor. Engine
speed depends on the propeller size and
boat load. If engine speed is too high or too
low for good engine performance, this will
have an adverse effect on the engine.

Yamaha outboard motors are fitted with pro­pellers chosen to perform well over a range
of applications, but there may be uses
where a propeller with a different pitch
would be more appropriate. For a greater
operating load, a smaller-pitch propeller is
more suitable as it enables the correct
engine speed to be maintained. Conversely,
a larger-pitch propeller is more suitable for a
smaller operating load.

1-15

Yamaha dealers stock a range of propellers,
and can advise you and install a propeller
on your outboard that is best suited to your
application.

NOTE:

At full throttle and under a maximum boat
load, the engine’s rpm should be within the
upper half of the full throttle operating
range, as listed in “SPECIFICATIONS” on
page 4-1. Select a propeller which fulfills
this requirement.
If operating under conditions which allow
the engine’s rpm to rise above the maxi-
mum recommended range (such as light
boat loads), reduce the throttle setting to
maintain the rpm in the proper operating
range.

E

602022

14-1/2 x 17 - M

qwe

1 Propeller diameter (in inches)
2 Propeller pitch (in inches)
3 Type of propeller (propeller mark)

Refer to the section “CHECKING PRO­PELLER” for instructions on propeller
removal and installation.

EMU01209

START-IN-GEAR PROTECTION

Yamaha outboard motors or Yamaha
approved remote control units are equipped
with start-in-gear protection device(s). This
feature permits the engine to be started
only when it is Neutral. Always select
Neutral before starting the engine.

1-16

-MEMO-

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EMU00037

Chapter 2

BASIC COMPONENTS

MAIN COMPONENTS.............................2-1

OPERATIONS OF CONTROLS AND

OTHER FUNCTIONS ..............................2-3

Remote control .....................................2-3

Trim tab .................................................2-9

Power trim/tilt switch ...........................2-10

Digital tachometer...............................2-11

Digital speedometer............................2-13

Fuel management meter.....................2-16

Tilt support lever .................................2-21

Top cowling lock levers .......................2-21

Flushing device...................................2-21

WARNING SYSTEM .............................2-22

Overheat warning ...............................2-22

Oil level warning and oil filter

clogging warning.................................2-23

Water separator warning ....................2-24

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2

3

4

5

6

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!3

!2

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!0

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EMU01206

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MAIN COMPONENTS

1 Top cowling
2 Cowling lock levers
3 Trim tab (anode)
4 Propeller
5 Cooling water inlet (VZ225, VZ250)
6 Cooling water inlet (Z250, LZ250)
7 Anti-cavitation plate
8 Anode
9 Clamp bracket
0 Tilt support lever
q Flushing device
w Power trim and tilt switch
e Cooling water pilot hole

2-1

* May not be exactly as shown; also may not be

included as standard equipment on all
models.

TRIP

TIME

BATT

Km/h
knot
mph

mile

P S

EMU01206

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MAIN COMPONENTS

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YAMAHA

SPEED

Km/h
knot
mph

km
mile

TRIP

TIME

BATT

set

mode

y

YAMAHA

FUEL MANAGEMENT

ECON SYNCTTL

set

mode

I/h
gph

Km/L
mpg

*

1 Remote control box (side mount type)

*

2 Remote control box (binnacle mount type)

*

3 Switch panel (for use with 2)

*

4 Digital tachometer

*

5 Digital speedometer

*

6 Fuel management meter

*

7 Remote oil tank

* May not be exactly as shown; also may not be

included as standard equipment on all
models.

2-2

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000322

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EMU00039

OPERATIONS OF CONTROLS

AND

OTHER FUNCTIONS

EMU01273

REMOTE CONTROL

Both the shifter and the throttle are actuated
by the remote control lever. In addition, the
electrical switches are mounted on the

B

q

u

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r

001276

C

ON

ON

STARTOFF

STARTOFF

remote control box.

å Side mount remote control box
∫ Binnacle mount remote control box
ç Switch panel (for use with ∫)

1 Remote control lever
2 Neutral interlock trigger
3 Neutral throttle lever
4 Free accelerator
5 Main switch
6 Engine stop lanyard switch
7 Power trim/tilt switch
8 Throttle friction adjusting screw

2-3

t

y

001277

E

R

N

F

q

w

e

r

t

y

u

u

t

r

y

701031

EMU00098

Remote Control Lever

Moving the lever forward from the Neutral
position engages Forward gear. Pulling the
lever back from Neutral engages Reverse.
The engine will continue to run at idle until
the lever is moved about 35° (a detent can
be felt). Moving the lever farther opens the
throttle, and the engine will begin to accel­erate.

1 Neutral
2 Forward
3 Reverse
4 Shift
5 Fully closed
6 Throttle
7 Fully open

w

q

rr

e

tty

y

u

u

702032

EMU00099

Neutral Interlock Trigger

UP
DN

000323

N

q

w

To shift out of Neutral, the neutral interlock
trigger of the remote control lever must first
be pulled up.

EMU00100

Neutral Throttle Lever

To open the throttle without shifting into
either Forward or Reverse, place the remote
control lever in the Neutral position and lift
the neutral throttle lever.

NOTE:

The neutral throttle lever will operate only
when the remote control lever is in Neutral.
The remote control lever will operate only
when the neutral throttle lever is in the
closed position.

000324

1 Fully open
2 Fully closed

2-4

E

ON

STARTOFF

701021

EMU00101

Main switch

The main switch controls the ignition sys­tem; its operation is described below.

8 OFF

Electrical circuits switched off.
(The key can be removed.)

8 ON

Electrical circuits switched on.
(The key cannot be removed.)

8 START

ON

ON

STARTOFF

STARTOFF

001242

Starter-motor will turn and start engine.
(When the key is released, it returns auto­matically to “ON”.)

2-5

000569

q

w

w

E

EMU00934

Engine Stop Lanyard Switch

The lock-plate 1 must be attached to the
engine stop lanyard switch for the engine to
run. The lanyard 2 should be attached to a
secure place on the operator’s clothing, or
arm or leg. Should the operator fall over­board or leave the helm, the lanyard will pull
out the lock plate, stopping ignition to the
engine. This will prevent the boat from run-

ON

ON

STARTOFF

STARTOFF

q

000715

ning away under power.

w

8 Attach the lanyard to a secure place on

your clothing, your arm or leg while
operating.

8 Do not attach the lanyard to clothing

that could tear loose. Do not route the
lanyard in such a way that it could
become entangled, preventing it from
functioning.

8 Avoid accidentally pulling the lanyard

during normal operation. Loss of
engine power means the loss of most
steering control. Also, without engine
power, the boat could slow rapidly.
This could cause people and objects
in the boat to be thrown forward.

NOTE:

The engine cannot be started with the lock­plate removed.

2-6

UP
DN

701034

UP
DN

UP

DN

E

EMU01112

Power Trim/Tilt Switches

The power trim/tilt adjusts the motor angle
in relation to the transom. The power trim/tilt
switch is located on the remote control lever
grip. Individual-engine switches are also on
the control cover. Pushing the switch “UP”
trims the motor up, then tilts the motor up.
Pressing the switch “DN” tilts the motor
down and trims the motor down. When the
switch button is released, the motor will stop
in its current position.

NOTE:

8 On the dual engine control, the switch on

the remote control grip controls both
engines at the same time.

8 Refer to the sections “Adjusting Trim

Angle” and “Tilting Up/Down” in Chapter 3
for instructions on usage.

000921

2-7

001278

35°

w

e

q

701035

E

EMU00106

Free Accelerator

To open the throttle without shifting into
either Forward or Reverse, push the free
accelerator button and turn the remote con­trol lever.

NOTE:

8 The free accelerator button can be oper-

ated only when the remote control lever is
in the Neutral position.

8 After the button is pushed, the remote

control lever must be moved at least 35°
to begin opening the throttle.

8 After operating the free accelerator, return

the remote control lever to the Neutral
position. The free accelerator button will
return automatically to its set position.
The remote control will then engage
Forward and Reverse normally.

1 Fully-open
2 Fully-closed
3 Free accelerator

EMU01155

Throttle Friction Adjusting Screw

A friction device in the remote control box
provides adjustable resistance to movement
of the remote control lever, and can be set
according to operator preference. An adjust­ing screw is located on the front of the
remote control box.

702035

Resistance Screw

Increase Turn clockwise

Decrease Turn counterclockwise

w

Do not overtighten the friction adjusting
screw. If there is too much resistance, it
may be difficult to move the lever, which
could result in an accident.

2-8

E

q

w

e

603014

EMU01552

TRIM TAB

The trim tab should be adjusted so that the
steering control can be turned to either the
right or left by applying the same amount of
force.

w

An improperly adjusted trim tab may
cause difficult steering. Always test run
after the trim tab has been installed or
replaced to be sure steering is correct.
Be sure you have tightened the bolt after
adjusting the trim tab.

1 Trim tab
2 Bolt
3 Cap (if equipped)

Boat tends to veer The fin of trim tab

To the left Turn to the left
(port side) (A in the figure)

To the right Turn to the right
(starboard side) (B in the figure

)

2-9

cC

The trim tab also serves as an anode to
protect the engine from electrochemical
corrosion. Never paint the trim tab as it

A

B

000625

will become ineffective as an anode.

E

UP

001570

DN

EMU01563

POWER TRIM/TILT SWITCH

The power trim/tilt adjusts the motor angle
in relation to the transom. The power trim/tilt
switch is located on the side of the bottom
engine cowling. Pushing the switch “UP”
trims the motor up, then tilts the motor up.
Pressing the switch “DN” tilts the motor
down and trims the motor down. When the
switch button is released, the motor will stop
in its current position.

w

Use the power trim/tilt switch located on
the bottom engine cowling only when
the boat is at a complete stop with the
engine off. Attempting to use the cowl­ing-mounted power trim/tilt switch while
the boat is moving could increase the
risk of falling overboard and could dis­tract the operator, increasing the risk of
collision with another boat or an obsta­cle.

NOTE:

Refer to the sections “ADJUSTING TRIM
ANGLE” and “TILTING UP/DOWN” for
instructions on usage.

2-10

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001078

001082

E

EMU01614

DIGITAL TACHOMETER

This gauge contains the tachometer, trim
meter, hour meter, oil level indicator, and
the overheat warning indicator.

1 Tachometer
2 Trim meter
3 Hour meter
4 Oil level indicator
5 Overheat warning indicator
6 Set button
7 Mode button

NOTE:

All segments of the display will light
momentarily after the main switch is turned
on and will return to normal thereafter.

EMU00136

Tachometer

This meter shows the engine speed.

2-11

001049

001050

EMU01689

Trim Meter

This meter shows the trim angle of your out­board motor.

NOTE:

8 Memorize the trim angles that work best

for your boat under different conditions.
Adjust the trim angle to the desired set­ting by operating the power trim and tilt
switch.

8 If the trim angle of your motor exceeds

the trim operating range, the top segment
on the trim meter display will start to blink.

E

001087

EMU01687

Hour Meter

This meter shows the number of hours the
engine has been run. It can be set to show
the total nu0mber of hours or the number of
hours for the current trip. The display can
also be turned on and off.
8 Changing the display format

Pressing the MODE button changes the
display format in the following circular pat­tern:
Total hours - Trip hours - Display off

8 Resetting the trip hours

Simultaneously pressing the SET and
MODE buttons for more than 1 second
while the trip hours are displayed resets
the trip counter to 0 (zero).

NOTE:

The total number of hours the engine has
been run cannot be reset.

EMU00138

Oil-Level Indicator

This indicator shows the engine oil level. If
the oil level falls below the lower limit, the
warning indicator will start to blink. Refer to
the sections “FILLING OIL” and “OIL LEVEL
WARNING” for details.

q

001051

1 Oil-level indicator

cC

Do not operate the engine without oil.
Serious engine damage will occur.

2-12

E

000329

TRIP TIME BATT

Km/h
knot
mph

km

mile

SPEED

YAMAHA

set

mode

q

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001052

q

EMU01553

Overheat Warning Indicator

If the engine temperature rises too high, the
warning indicator will start to blink. Refer to
“OVERHEAT WARNING” for details.

1 Overheat warning indicator

cC

Do not continue to operate the engine if
a warning device has activated. If neces­sary, refer to the “TROUBLESHOOTING”
section in this manual. Consult your
dealer if the problem cannot be located
and corrected.

EMU00140

DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER

This meter contains the speedometer, fuel
meter with warning, trip meter, clock and
voltmeter with warning.

2-13

1 Speedometer
2 Fuel meter
3 Trip meter/clock/voltmeter
4 Warning indicator

NOTE:

After the main switch is first turned on, all
portions of the meter come on as a check.
After a few seconds, the meters will change
to normal operation. Watch the meter when
turning on the main switch to make sure all
segments come on.

802034

TRIP TIME BATT

Km/h
knot
mph

km
mile

SPEED

YAMAHA

set

mode

w

YAMAHA

SPEED

TRIP TIME BATT

set

Km/h
knot
mph

km
mile

mode

q

e

000330

000331

E

EMU00141

Speedometer

This meter shows the boat speed.

NOTE:

The speedometer displays km/h, mph, or
knots, depending upon operator preference.
Select the desired unit of measurement by
setting the selector switch on the back of
the meter. See the illustration for settings.

1 Cap
2 Selector switch (for speed unit)
3 Selector switch (for fuel sender)

EMU01274

Trip Meter

This meter displays the distance the boat
has traveled since the meter was last reset.
Repeatedly push and release the “mode”
button until the indicator on the face of the
meter points to “TRIP”. To reset the trip
meter to “0”, press the “set” and “mode” but-
ton together.

NOTE:

8 The trip distance is shown in kilometers

or miles depending upon the unit of mea­surement selected for the speedometer.

8 The trip distance is kept in memory by

battery power. The stored data will be lost
if the battery is disconnected.

2-14

E

000332

TRIP TIME BATT

Km/h
knot
mph

km
mile

SPEED

YAMAHA

set

mode

802032TRIP TIME BATT

Km/h
knot
mph

km

mile

SPEED

EMU01275

Clock

This meter shows the current time.
Repeatedly push and release the “mode”
button until the indicator on the face of the
meter points to “TIME.” To set the clock, be
sure the meter is in the “TIME” mode. Press
the “set” button; the hour display will begin
blinking. Press the “mode” button until the
desired hour is displayed. Press the “set”
button again, the minute display will begin
blinking. Press the “mode” button until the
desired minute is displayed. Press the “set”
button again to start the clock.

NOTE:

The clock operates on battery power.
Disconnecting the battery will stop the
clock. Reset the clock after connecting the
battery.

EMU01554

Fuel meter

The fuel level is indicated by eight seg­ments. When all segments are showing, the
fuel tank is full.

cC

The Yamaha fuel tank sensor differs from
conventional sensors. Incorrectly setting
the selector switch on the meter will give
false readings. Consult your Yamaha
dealer on how to correctly set the selec­tor switch.

2-15

NOTE:

The fuel reading can be affected by the
position of the sensor in the fuel tank and
the attitude of the boat in the water.
Operation with bow-up trim or continuous
turning can give false readings.

E

802031

TRIP TIME BATT

Km/h
knot
mph

km
mile

SPEED

YAMAHA

set

mode

q

w

YAMAHA

set

mode

P S

mpg

Km/L

gph

I/h

ECON SYNCTTL

FUEL MANAGEMENT

q

w

e

000333

EMU01555

Warning indicators
8 Fuel warning

If the fuel level decreases to one segment
the fuel level warning segment 1 will begin
blinking.

8 Low battery voltage warning

If battery voltage drops, the display 2 will
automatically turn on and begin blinking.

cC

Do not continue to operate the engine if
a warning device has activated. Refer to
the “Troubleshooting” section in this
manual. Consult your Yamaha dealer if
the problem cannot be located and cor­rected.

EMU00146

FUEL MANAGEMENT METER

Optional Equipment

The meter contains the fuel flow meter, fuel
consumption meter, fuel economy meter,
twin engine speed synchronizer, water sep­arator warning indicator.

FUEL MANAGEMENT

P S

ECON SYNCTTL

I/h
gph

Km/L
mpg

000334

1 Fuel flow meter
2 Fuel consumption / Fuel economy meter /

Twin engine speed synchronizer

3 Water separator warning indicator (Operates

only if the sensor has been installed.)

NOTE:

After the main switch is first turned on, all
portions of the meter come on as a check.
After a few seconds, the meters will change
to normal operation. Watch the meter when
turning on the main switch to make sure all
segments come on.

2-16

E

YAMAHA

P S

gph

I/h

ECON SYNCTTL

FUEL MANAGEMENT

set

mode

000335

2 65431

ON

(liter)

l/h

(gallon)

gph

q

000336

EMU00147

Fuel Flow Meter

The meter displays fuel flow within one
hour, at the rate of current engine operation.

If twin engines are installed on your boat,
the meter will display total fuel flow of Port
and Starboard side engine. It also displays
PS indication at the same time.
By pressing “set” button, the meter will dis­play fuel flow of starboard side engine and
S indication.
By pressing “set” button again, the meter
will display fuel flow of port side engine and
P indication.
By pressing “set” button again, the meter
will display total fuel flow.

NOTE:

8 The meter displays gallon/hour and liter

depending upon operator preference.
Select the desired unit of measurement
by setting the selector switch 1 on the
back of the meter during installation.

8 Fuel consumption meter and Fuel econo-

my meter will indicate same unit of mea­surement.

2-17

E

P S

mp

Km

gph

I/h

ECON SYNCTTL

FUEL MANAGEMENT

/L

g

000337

P S

gph

I/h

EMU01276

Fuel Consumption Meter

This meter displays the total amount of fuel
consumed since the meter was last reset.
Repeatedly push and release the “mode”
button until the indicator on the face of the
meter points to total (“TTL”). To reset the
total fuel consumption to “0”, press the “set”
and “mode” buttons together.

FUEL MANAGEMENT

Km/L
mpg

ECON SYNCTTL

000338

EMU01277

Fuel Economy

This meter displays the distance per liter or
gallon when cruising for reference use by
the operator.
Repeatedly push and release the “mode”
button until the indicator on the face of the
meter points to “ECON.”

NOTE:

If twin engines are installed on your boat,
the meter will display only the total fuel
economy of both engines.

2-18

E

NOTE:

8 Fuel consumption varies greatly with boat

design, weight, propeller used, engine
trim angle, sea conditions (including
wind), and throttle position. Fuel con­sumption also varies slightly with the type
of water (salt, fresh, and contaminate lev­els), air temperature and humidity, cleanli­ness of the boat bottom, engine mounting
height, skill of the operator, and individual
gasoline formulation (winter or summer
fuel and amount of additives).

8 The Yamaha digital speedometer and fuel

management meter calculates speed,
miles traveled, and fuel economy by water
movement at the stern of the boat. This
distance can vary greatly from the actual
distance traveled because of water cur­rents, sea swells, and the condition of the
water speed sensor (partially plugged or
damaged).

8 Individual engines may slightly vary in

their fuel consumption due to manufactur­ing variations. These variations can be
even greater if the engines are of different
year models. In addition, variations in pro­pellers, even of the same basic dimen­sions of the same design, can also cause
a slight variation in fuel consumption.

2-19

P S

mpg

Km/L

gph

I/h

ECON SYNCTTL

FUEL MANAGEMENT

000339

P S

FUEL MANAGEMENT

P S

mpg

Km/L

gph

I/h

ECON SYNCTTL

FUEL MANAGEMENT

000341

I/h
gph

Km/L
mpg

ECON SYNCTTL

q
w
e

r
t

000340

E

EMU01278

Twin Engine Speed Synchronizer

This meter displays the difference in engine
speed (r/min) between the Port and
Starboard engines for reference purposes
when synchronizing the two engines’
speeds.
Repeatedly push and release the “mode”
button until the indicator on the face of the
meter points to “SYNC”.

1 Port side engine speed is higher
2 Port side engine speed is slightly higher
3 Engine speed is synchronized evenly between

Port and Starboard side engines

4 Starboard side engine speed is slightly higher
5 Starboard side engine speed is higher

NOTE:

If the two engines’ speeds are not synchro­nized while cruising, they can be synchro­nized by adjusting trim angle or throttle.

EMU01207

Water Separator Warning Indicator

If the water which has been separated from
fuel in the water trap exceeds a specific vol­ume, the indicator will blink showing the
need for water to be drained.

NOTE:

This indicator only operates when a water
separator sensor is equipped.

2-20

E

001571

001573

q

EMU00157

TILT SUPPORT LEVER

To keep the outboard motor in the tilted-up
position, lock the tilt support lever to the
clamp bracket.

EMU00163

TOP COWLING LOCK LEVERS

To remove the engine top cowling, pull up
the front and rear lock levers. Then lift off
the cowling. When replacing the cowling,
check to be sure it fits properly in the rubber
seal. Then lock the cowling again by moving
the levers downward.

2-21

001572

EMU01701

FLUSHING DEVICE

This device 1 is used to clean the cooling
water passages of the motor using a garden
hose and tap water.

NOTE:

Refer to “CLEANING COOLING-WATER
PASSAGES” in Chapter 4 for instructions on
usage.

701054

703026

OFF START OFF START

ON ON

001053

E

EMU00169

WARNING SYSTEM

cC

Do not continue to operate the engine if
the warning device has activated.
Consult your Yamaha dealer if the prob­lem cannot be located and corrected.

EMU01664

OVERHEAT WARNING

This engine has an overheat warning
device. If the engine temperature rises too
high, the warning device will activate.

Activation of the warning device

8 The engine speed will automatically

decrease to about 2,000 r/min.

8 The overheat warning indicator will come

on.

8 The buzzer will sound.

If the warning system has been activated,
stop the engine and check the water inlet
for clogging.

NOTE:

In case of dual engine drive;
Should the overheat warning system of one
engine operate, it slows down and the
buzzer sounds. This will cause the other
engine to slow down and the buzzer to
sound. For the other engine, the warning
system can be released by shifting the
remote control lever into the neutral.

605015

2-22

001094

ON ON

OFF START OFF START

703026

E

EMU01886

OIL LEVEL WARNING AND OIL
FILTER CLOGGING WARNING

This engine has an oil level warning system.
If the oil level falls below the lower limit, the
warning system will activate.

Activation of warning device

8 The engine speed will automatically

decrease to about 2,000 r/min.

8 The oil level warning indicator will light.
8 The buzzer will sound.

If the warning system has activated, stop
the engine and check for the cause.

NOTE:

The warning for oil filter clogging is similar
to the warnings for low oil level and over­heating. To make troubleshooting easier,
check for engine overheating first, then oil
level, and finally oil filter clogging.

1 Oil filter

2-23

q

q

001574

001203

701054

ON ON

OFF START OFF START

E

EMU01907

WATER SEPARATOR WARNING

This engine has a fuel filter water separator
system and water separator warning sys­tem. If water separated from the fuel
exceeds a specific volume, the warning
device will activate.

Activation of the warning device

8 The engine speed will automatically

decrease to about 2,000 r/min.

8 The buzzer will sound.
If the warning system has activated, stop
the engine and inspect the fuel filter.

NOTE:

Refer to the section “INSPECTING FUEL
FILTER” for details.

703026

1 Fuel filter cup

q

001904

2-24

-MEMO-

E

E

EMU00174

Chapter 3

OPERATION

INSTALLATION.......................................3-1

Mounting the outboard motor................3-2

BREAKING IN (RUNNING IN)

ENGINE...................................................3-5

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ...................3-6

Operation after a long period of

storage..................................................3-8

FILLING FUEL AND ENGINE OIL..........3-9

Filling fuel..............................................3-9

Filling oil..............................................3-10

STARTING ENGINE ..............................3-13

WARMING UP ENGINE........................3-16

1

2

3

SHIFTING..............................................3-17

Forward...............................................3-17

Reverse...............................................3-17

STOPPING ENGINE .............................3-18

TRIMMING OUTBOARD MOTOR.........3-19

Adjusting trim angle ............................3-20

TILTING UP/DOWN...............................3-22

CRUISING IN OTHER CONDITIONS ...3-25

Cruising in salt water ..........................3-25

Cruising in turbid water .......................3-25

4

5

6

E

EMU00175

INSTALLATION

cC

Incorrect engine height or obstructions
to smooth water flow (such as the
design or condition of the boat or acces­sories such as transom ladders/depth
finder transducers) can create airborne
water spray while the boat is cruising.
Severe engine damage may result if the
motor is operated continuously in the
presence of airborne water spray.

NOTE:

During water testing check the buoyancy of
the boat, at rest, with its maximum load.
Check that the static water level on the
exhaust housing is low enough to prevent
water entry into the powerhead, when water
rises due to waves when the outboard is not
running.

3-1

E

EMU01478

MOUNTING THE OUTBOARD MOTOR

w

8 Overpowering a boat may cause

severe instability. Do not install an out­board motor with more horsepower
than the maximum rating on the
capacity plate of the boat. If the boat
does not have a capacity plate, consult
the boat manufacturer.

8 The information presented in this sec-

tion is intended as reference only. It is
not possible to provide complete
instructions for every possible
boat/motor combination. Proper
mounting depends in part on experi­ence and the specific boat/motor com­bination.

w

Improper mounting of the outboard
motor could result in hazardous condi­tions such as poor handling, loss of con­trol, or fire hazards. Observe the follow­ing:
8 For permanently mounted models,

your dealer or other person experi­enced in proper rigging should mount
the motor. If you are mounting the
motor yourself, you should be trained
by an experienced person.

8 For portable models, your dealer or

other person experienced in proper
outboard motor mounting should
show you how to mount your motor.

3-2

E

q

104016

Mount the outboard motor on the center line
(keel line) of the boat, and ensure that the
boat itself is well balanced. Otherwise, the
boat will be hard to steer. For boats without
a keel or which are asymmetrical, consult
your dealer.

1 Center line (keel line)

q

000371

EMU01566*

Mounting Height

To run your boat at optimum efficiency, the
water resistance (drag) of the boat and out­board motor must be made as little as pos­sible. The mounting height of the outboard
motor greatly affects the water resistance. If
the mounting height is too high, cavitation
tends to occur, thus reducing the propulsion
and causing the engine to overheat. If the
mounting height is too low, the water resis­tance will increase and thereby reduce
engine efficiency.

3-3

104014

130mm ( 5 in.)

104025

E

Z250, LZ250

Mount the outboard motor so that the anti­cavitation plate is in alignment with the bot­tom of the boat.

VZ225, VZ250

Mount the outboard motor so that the anti­cavitation plate is about 130 mm (5 in.)
above the bottom of the boat.

NOTE:

8 The optimum mounting height of the

outboard motor is affected by the boat
and motor combination and the
desired use. Test runs at different
heights can help determine the opti­mum mounting height. Consult your
Yamaha dealer or boat manufacturer
for further information on determining
the proper mounting height.

8 For instructions on setting the trim

angle of the outboard motor, see
“Trimming outboard motor” in this
chapter.

3-4

E

000106

Do not use fuel mixed
with oil during break-in
or under any circum­stances.

EMU01494

BREAKING IN (RUNNING IN)

ENGINE

Your new engine requires a period of break­in (running-in) to allow mating surfaces of
moving parts to wear-in evenly. Correct
break-in (running-in) will help ensure proper
performance and longer engine life.

cC

8 Failure to follow the break-in (running-

in) procedure may result in reduced
engine life or even severe engine dam­age.

8 Do not use pre-mixed fuel in this

engine as it may cause carbon
deposits on the fuel injector thereby
causing engine trouble.

8 Follow the instructions for breaking-

in/running-in carefully.

3-5

Break-in (running-in) time:10 hours

NOTE:

The label pictured at left is to be left on the
top cowling until the break-in (running-in)
procedure has been completed and may be
removed afterwards.

EMU01195

Run the engine under load (in gear with a
propeller installed) as follows.

1) First 10 minutes:
Run the engine at the lowest possible­speed. A fast idle in neutral is best.

2) Next 50 minutes:
Do not exceed half throttle (approxi­mately 3,000 r/min). Vary engine speed
occasionally. If you have an easy-plan­ing boat, accelerate at full throttle onto
plane, then immediately reduce the
throttle to 3,000 r/min or less.

3) Second hour:
Accelerate at full throttle onto plane,
then reduce engine speed to three­quarter throttle (approximately 4,000
r/min). Vary engine speed occasionally.
Run at full throttle for one minute, then
allow about 10 minutes of operation at
three-quarter throttle or less to let the
engine cool.

4) Third through tenth hours:
Avoid operating at full throttle for more
than 5 minutes at a time. Let the engine
cool between full-throttle runs. Vary
engine speed occasionally.

5) After the first 10 hours:
Operate the engine normally.

E

EMU00204

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS

w

If any item in the pre-operation check is
not working properly, have it inspected
and repaired before operating the out­board motor. Otherwise, an accident
could occur.

cC

Do not start the engine out of water.
Overheating and serious engine damage
can occur.

3-6

E

EMU01655

Fuel

8 Check to be sure you have plenty of fuel

for your trip.

8 Make sure there are no fuel leaks or

gasoline fumes.

8 Check fuel line connections to be sure

they are tight.

8 Be sure that the fuel hose is not twisted

or flattened, or likely to contact sharp
objects.

EMU00207

Oil

8 Check to be sure you have plenty of oil for

your trip.

EMU00209

Controls

8 Check throttle, shift, and steering for

proper operation before starting the
engine.

8 The controls should work smoothly, with-

out binding or unusual free play.

8 Look for loose or damaged connections.
8 Check operation of the starter and stop

switches when the outboard motor is in
the water.

3-7

EMU00211

Engine

8 Check the engine and engine mounting.
8 Look for loose or damaged fasteners.
8 Check the propeller for damage.
8 Check that the battery is in good condi-

tion and battery connections are secure.

001576

E

EMU01794

OPERATION AFTER A LONG
PERIOD OF STORAGE

When operating the engine after a long
period (12 months) of storage, proceed as
follows:

1) Start the engine. Leave it idling.

w

8 Do not touch or remove electrical

parts when starting or during opera­tion.

8 Keep hands, hair, and clothes away

from the flywheel and other rotating
parts while the engine is running.

2) Watch for oil flowing through the oil
feed pipes. After any air in the oil lines
has been expelled, the oil injection sys­tem should supply oil normally. If no oil
is flowing after 10 minutes of idling,
consult your Yamaha dealer.

cC

8 Be sure to take the above steps when

operating the engine after a long peri­od of storage. Otherwise engine
seizure could occur.

8 Use straight gasoline only. If premix

fuel is used, the fuel injector could be
damaged.

001577

3-8

E

EMU00186

FILLING FUEL AND ENGINE

OIL

EMU01699

FILLING FUEL

1) Remove the fuel tank cap.

2) Fill the fuel tank carefully.

3) Close the cap securely after refueling.
Wipe up any spilled fuel.

EMU01019

Ring Free Fuel Additive

Gasoline is a precise blend of many differ­ent substances, each chosen to give certain
characteristics. Gasoline blends have been
changing in recent years in response to
concerns about pollution and resulting
emissions regulations. One of the most
obvious changes has been the elimination
of lead from most fuels.

3-9

As gasoline has changed, the amount of
additives such as aromatics and oxy­genates has increased. These additives are
important for the engines in passenger cars,
but they can have detrimental effects in
marine engines, because of increased
deposits in the combustion chamber. When
enough deposits collect, piston rings begin
sticking. Performance drops and engine
wear increases dramatically.

While many additives available may reduce
deposits, Yamaha recommends the use of
Ring Free Fuel Additive, available from
your Yamaha dealer. Ring Free has repeat­edly proven its ability to clean combustion
deposits from inside the engine, notably the
critical piston-ring-land area, and fuel sys­tem components. Follow product labeling for
use instructions.

E

EMU01801

FILLING OIL

This engine uses the oil injection system,
which provides superior lubrication by
ensuring the proper oil ratio for all operating
conditions. No fuel premixing is needed.
Simply pour gasoline into the fuel tank and
oil into the oil tank. Convenient indicator
segments indicate the status of the oil sup­ply. For details on reading the indicator seg­ments, see “Oil level indicator” in this chap­ter.
To fill the engine oil tank, proceed as fol­lows:

w

Do not add gasoline into the oil tank.
Fire or explosion could result.

Engine oil tank capacity:

See Chapter 4, “Specifications.”

3-10

E

001475

EMU01825

Using remote oil tank

1) Pour engine oil into the remote oil tank.

NOTE:

The oil level lines on the remote oil tank
indicate the amount of additional oil that can
be added to the tank. The top oil level line
indicates approximately 1.9 L (0.5 US gal,

0.4 Imp gal) can be added, and the bottom

oil level line indicates approximately 3.8 L (1
US gal, 0.8 Imp gal) can be added.

2) Turn on the main switch. The oil injec-

ON STARTOFF

tion system will automatically feed oil
from the remote oil tank to the engine
oil tank.

3) Operate the engine normally.

cC

701024

When the engine is operated for the first
time or stored for a period of time, a min­imum of 5 liters (5.3 US qt, 4.4 Imp qt) of
oil should be kept in the remote oil tank.
Otherwise the oil-feed pump chamber
will not be filled with oil, and no oil will
be supplied.

3-11

EMU01543

Oil Level Indicator

The various oil level system functions are as follows:

E

Oil level indica-

tor (Digital

tachometer)

Oil level indica-

tor (Analog

tachometer)

Green

Yellow

Red Yellow Green

Engine oil

tank

More than

3

300 cm
(0.32 US qt,

0.26 Imp qt)

More than

3

300 cm
(0.32 US qt,

0.26 Imp qt)

3

300 cm
(0.32 US qt,

0.26 Imp qt)
or less

Remote oil

tank

More than
1,500 cm

3

(1.6 US qt,

1.31 Imp qt)

1,500 cm

3

(1.6 US qt,

1.31 Imp qt)
or less

More than
1,500 cm

3

(1.6 US qt,

1.31 Imp qt)

Remarks

• No refilling necessary.

• Add oil, refer to
“FILLING OIL.”

• Check oil filter for clogging.

• Check battery cable con-

nection.

• Buzzer will sound.

• Engine speed is automati-

cally reduced to about
2,000 r/min.

Red

3

300 cm
(0.32 US qt,

0.26 Imp qt)
or less

1,500 cm

3

(1.6 US qt,

1.31 Imp qt)
or less

• Oil has not been added.

• Buzzer will sound.

• Engine speed is automati-

cally reduced to about
2,000 r/min.

• Refer to Chapter 5.

3-12

E

001671

EMU01688

STARTING ENGINE

w

8 Before starting the engine, make sure

that the boat is tightly moored and that
you can steer clear of any obstruc­tions. Be sure there are no swimmers
in the water near you.

8 When the air vent screw is loosened,

gasoline (petrol) vapor will be
released. Gasoline (petrol) is highly
flammable, and its vapors are flamma­ble and explosive. Refrain from smok­ing, and keep away from open flames
and sparks while loosening the air
vent screw.

8 This product emits exhaust gases

which contain carbon monoxide, a col­orless, odorless gas which may cause
brain damage or death when inhaled.
Symptoms include nausea, dizziness,
and drowsiness. Keep cockpit and
cabin areas well ventilated. Avoid
blocking exhaust outlets.

3-13

1) If there is an air vent screw on the fuel
tank cap, loosen it 2 or 3 turns.

2) If there is a fuel joint or a fuel cock on
the boat, firmly connect the fuel line to
the joint or open the fuel cock.

3) Squeeze the primer bulb with the outlet
end up until you feel it become firm.

E

N

701015

EMU00248

PROCEDURE FOR REMOTE
CONTROL MODELS

4) Place the remote control lever in the
Neutral position.

NOTE:

The start-in-gear protection device permits
the engine to be started only when it is in
Neutral.

N

702025

5) Attach the engine stop switch lanyard to
a secure place on your clothing, or your
arm or leg. Then, install the lock plate
on the other end of the lanyard in the
engine stop switch.

w

8 Attach the engine stop switch lanyard

to a secure place on your clothing,

000293

ON

ON

STARTOFF

STARTOFF

000714

your arm or leg while operating.

8 Do not attach the lanyard to clothing

that could tear loose. Do not route the
lanyard where it could become entan­gled, preventing it from functioning.

8 Avoid accidentally pulling the lanyard

during normal operation. Loss of
engine power means the loss of most
steering control. Also, without engine
power, the boat could slow rapidly.
This could cause people and objects
in the boat to be thrown forward.

3-14

OFF

000977

ON

ON

OFF

ON

OFF START

START

701022

703045

E

6) Turn the main switch to “ON”.

NOTE:

In case of dual-engine operation, when the
main switch is turned on, the buzzer oper­ates for a few seconds and stops automati­cally. Should either of the dual engines stall,
the buzzer operates.

EMU00949

Electric Start Model

7) Turn the main switch to “START”, and
hold it for a maximum of 5 seconds.

8) Immediately after the engine starts,
release the main switch to return it to
“ON”.

cC

8 Do not turn the main switch to

“START” when the engine is running.

8 Do not keep the starter-motor turning

for more than 5 seconds. The battery
will rapidly become exhausted and it
will be impossible for it to start the
engine. If the engine does not start
within 5 seconds, return the main
switch to “ON”, wait 10 seconds, and
then crank the engine again.

3-15

E

309034

EMU01198

WARMING UP ENGINE

1) Before beginning operation, allow the
engine to warm up at idling speed for 3
minutes. (Failure to do this will shorten
engine life.)

2) Check for a steady flow of water from
the cooling-water pilot hole.

cC

A continuous flow of water from the pilot
hole shows that the water pump is
pumping water through the cooling pas­sages. If water is not flowing out of the
pilot hole at all times while the engine is
running, do not continue to run the
engine. Overheating and serious dam­age could occur. Stop the engine and
check to see if the water inlet on the
lower casing is blocked. If the problem
cannot be found and corrected, consult
your Yamaha dealer.

3-16

E

701043

N

F

EMU00261

SHIFTING

w

Before shifting, make sure there are no
swimmers or obstacles in the water near
you.

cC

To change the shifting position from for-

F

N

ward to reverse or vice-versa, close the
throttle first so that the engine idles (or
runs at low speeds).

EMU00264

FORWARD

Pull up the neutral interlock trigger (if

702015

N

R

equipped) and move the remote control
lever quickly and firmly from Neutral to
Forward.

EMU00269

REVERSE

w

When operating in reverse, go slowly. Do
not open the throttle more than half.
Otherwise, the boat may become unsta-

701044

ble, which could result in loss of control
and an accident.

3-17

N

R

Pull up the neutral interlock trigger (if
equipped) and move the remote control
lever quickly and firmly from Neutral to
Reverse.

702016

ON

START

OFF

701023

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

E

EMU00273

STOPPING ENGINE

Let it cool off for a few minutes at idle or low
speed first. Stopping the engine immediate­ly after operating at high speed is not rec­ommended.

EMU01199

1) Turn the main switch to “OFF”.

2) If there is a fuel joint or a fuel cock on
the boat, disconnect the fuel line or
close the fuel cock after stopping the
engine.

3) Tighten the air vent screw on the fuel
tank cap after stopping the engine, if it
is equipped.

4) Remove the key if the boat will be left
unattended.

NOTE:

The engine can also be stopped by pulling
the lanyard and removing the lock plate
from the engine stop lanyard switch (then
turning the main switch to “OFF”).

703046

3-18

E

q

001594

EMU01412

TRIMMING OUTBOARD

MOTOR

The trim angle of the outboard motor helps
determine the position of the bow of the
boat in the water. The correct trim angle will
help improve performance and fuel econo­my while reducing strain on the engine. The
correct trim angle depends upon the combi­nation of boat, engine, and propeller.
Correct trim is also affected by variables
such as the load in the boat, sea conditions,
and running speed.

w

Excessive trim for the operating condi­tions (either trim up or trim down) can
cause boat instability and can make
steering the boat more difficult. This
increases the possibility of an accident.
If the boat begins to feel unstable or is
hard to steer, slow down and/or readjust
the trim angle.

3-19

NOTE:

Refer to the section “ADJUSTING TRIM
ANGLE” for instructions on usage.

1 Trim operating angle

UP
DN

000350

UP
DN

q

UP

q

DN

E

ADJUSTING TRIM ANGLE

EMU01657

Power Trim/Tilt Models

w

8 Be sure all people are clear of the out-

board motor when adjusting the
trim/tilt angle, also be careful not to
pinch any body parts between the
drive unit and clamp bracket.

8 Use caution when trying a trim posi-

tion for the first time. Increase speed
gradually and watch for any signs of
instability or control problems.

8 Use the power trim/tilt switch located

on the bottom engine cowling (if
equipped) only when the boat is at a
complete stop with the engine off.

The outboard motor trim angle can be
adjusted operating the power trim/tilt switch

1.

To raise the bow (“trim-out”), push the
switch UP.

To lower the bow (“trim-in”), push the switch
DN.

000351

Make test runs with the trim set to different
angles to find the position that works best
for your boat and operating conditions.

NOTE:

To adjust the trim angle while the boat is
moving, use the power trim and tilt switch
located on the remote control box.

3-20

E

001672

q

EMU01916

Trim angle settings and boat handling

When the boat is on plane, a bow-up atti­tude results in less drag, greater stability
and efficiency. This is generally when the
keel line of the boat is up about 3 to 5
degrees. With the bow up, the boat may
have a greater tendency to steer to one side
or the other. Compensate for this as you
steer. The trim tab can also be adjusted to
help offset this effect.

w

e

001673

001674

1 Optimum angle (level keel line)
2 Bow up
3 Bow down

Bow Up

Too much trim-out puts the bow of the boat
too high in the water. Performance and
economy are decreased because the hull of
the boat is pushing the water and there is
more air drag. Excessive trim-out can also
cause the propeller to ventilate, which
reduces performance further, and the boat
may “porpoise” (hop in the water), which
could throw the operator and passengers
overboard.

Bow Down

When the bow of the boat is down, it is eas­ier to accelerate from a standing start onto
plane. Too much trim-in causes the boat to
“plow” through the water, decreasing fuel
economy and making it hard to increase
speed. Operating with excessive trim-in at
higher speeds also makes the boat unsta­ble. Resistance at the bow is greatly
increased, heightening the danger of “bow
steering” and making operation difficult and
dangerous.

3-21

001596

E

NOTE:

Depending on the type of boat, the out­board motor trim angle may have little effect
on the trim of the boat when operating.

EMU01200

TILTING UP/DOWN

If the engine will be stopped for some time,
or if the boat is moored in shallows, the
engine should be tilted up to protect the
propeller and casing from damage by colli­sion with obstructions, and also to reduce
salt corrosion.

cC

Before tilting the motor, follow the proce­dures under “STOPPING ENGINE”.Never
tilt the motor while the engine is run­ning. Severe damage from overheating
can result.

w

Be sure all people are clear of the out­board motor when adjusting the tilt
angle, also be careful not to pinch any
body parts between the drive unit and
engine bracket.

w

Leaking fuel is a fire hazard. Disconnect
the fuel line or close the fuel cock if the
engine will be tilted for more than a few
minutes. Otherwise, fuel may leak. (If the
fuel connector is provided on the motor.)

3-22

E

UP

001570

DN

EMU01575

PROCEDURE FOR TILTING UP

Power trim and tilt models

1) Disconnect the fuel line or close the
fuel cock.

2) Push the power trim and tilt switch “UP”
until the outboard has tilted up com­pletely.

UP

UP
DN

UP
DN

701034

DN

000328

3) Turn the tilt support lever toward you to
support the engine.

w

8 After tilting the engine, be sure to sup-

port it with the tilt support lever.
Otherwise, the engine could fall back
down suddenly if oil in the power trim
and tilt unit should lose pressure.

8 Never operate the engine while it is

supported by the tilt support lever.

3-23

E

EMU01576

4) Once the engine is supported with the
tilt support lever, push the power trim
and tilt switch “DN” (down) to retract the
trim rods.

cC

Be sure to retract the trim rods com­pletely during mooring. This protects the
rods from marine growths and corrosion
which could damage the power trim and
tilt mechanism.

EMU00303

PROCEDURE FOR TILTING DOWN

Power trim/tilt model

1) Push the power trim/tilt switch “UP” until
the engine is supported by the tilt rod.

2) Release the tilt-support lever.

3) Push the power trim/tilt switch “DN”
(Down) to lower the engine to the
desired position.

3-24

E

EMU00316

CRUISING IN OTHER

CONDITIONS

CRUISING IN SALT WATER

After operating in salt water, wash out the
cooling-water passages with fresh water to
prevent them from becoming clogged-up
with salt deposits.

NOTE:

Refer to cooling system flushing instructions
in “TRANSPORTING AND STORING OUT­BOARD MOTOR”.

CRUISING IN TURBID WATER

It is strongly recommended that the optional
chromium-plated water-pump kit be
installed if the outboard is to be used in tur­bid (muddy) water conditions.

3-25

E

EMU00317

Chapter 4

MAINTENANCE

SPECIFICATIONS ...................................4-1

TRANSPORTING AND STORING

OUTBOARD MOTOR................................4-3

Trailering outboard motor......................4-3

Storing outboard motor .........................4-4

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE....................4-8

Replacement parts ...............................4-8

Maintenance chart ................................4-9

Greasing .............................................4-10

Cleaning and adjusting spark plug .....4-11

Checking fuel system..........................4-13

Inspecting fuel filter.............................4-14

Inspecting idling speed .......................4-15

Checking water in engine oil tank .......4-16

Checking wiring and connectors.........4-17

Exhaust leakage .................................4-17

Water leakage.....................................4-17

Checking power trim and tilt system ...4-18

Checking propeller..............................4-19

Changing gear oil................................4-21

Inspecting and replacing anode(s)......4-22

Checking battery.................................4-23

Cleaning cooling-water passages.......4-27

Checking top cowling..........................4-28

Motor exterior......................................4-28

Coating the boat bottom .....................4-28

1

2

3

4

5

6

EMU01866

E

SPECIFICATIONS

Model

Item

DIMENSIONS

Overall length mm (in.)
Overall width mm (in.)
Overall height L/X/U mm (in.)
Transom height L/X/U mm (in.)
Weight* L/X/U kg (lb.)

PERFORMANCE

Full throttle operating range r/min
Maximum output kW (HP) @ r/min
Idling speed (in neutral) r/min

ENGINE

Type

Displacement cm

Bore × stroke mm (in.)
Ignition system
Spark plug NGK

Spark plug gap mm (in.)
Control system
Starting system
Battery

Min. cold cranking amps (CCA/SAE) amps at -18°C (-0.4°F)

Min. marine cranking amps (MCA/ABYC) amps at 0°C (32°F)

Min. reserve capacity (RC/SAE) minutes
Alternator output V-A (W)
Starting carburetion system

DRIVE UNIT

Gear positions

Gear ratio
Trim and tilt system
Propeller mark

FUEL AND OIL

Recommended fuel

Fuel tank capacity L (US gal, Imp gal)
Recommended engine oil

Lubrication

Engine oil capacity (engine oil tank) L (US qt, Imp qt)

(remote oil tank) L (US qt, Imp qt)

Recommended gear oil

Gear oil capacity cm

TIGHTENING TORQUE

Spark plug N·m (kgf·m, lb·ft)
Propeller nut N·m (kgf·m, lb·ft)

Unit VZ225TRC

3

(cu.in.)

P.O.N.

3

(US oz, Imp oz)

* Listed weight does not include propeller.

906 (35.7)
568 (22.4)
1,714 (67.5) / — / —
493 (19.4) / — / —
245 (540) / — / —

4,500–5,500

165.5 (225) @ 5,000
700–760

2-stroke, V6
3,342 (203.9)

93.0 × 82.0 (3.66 × 3.23)
TCI system
BKR6EKU

1.5–1.6 (0.059–0.062)
Remote control
Electric start

512
675
182
12-50
Electronic fuel injection

Forward-Neutral-Reverse

1.75 (28/16)
Power trim and tilt
T

Regular unleaded gasoline
Minimum 86
—
Yamalube 2-M outboard oil or another
outboard motor manufacturer’s factory­brand oil with TC-W3 rating
oil injection system

1.2 (1.3, 1.1)

10.5 (11.1, 9.2)
Hypoid gear oil (SAE90)
1,000 (33.8, 35.2)

25 (2.55, 18.44)
54 (5.51, 39.83)

4-1

Z250TRC LZ250TRC VZ250TRC

E

868 (34.2)
568 (22.4)
— / 1,830 (72.0) / 1,957 (77.0)
— / 641 (25.2) / 768 (30.2)
— / 247 (545) / 252 (556)

4,500–5,500

183.9 (250) @ 5,000
670–730

2-stroke, V6
3,342 (203.9)

93.0 × 82.0 (3.66 × 3.23)
TCI system
BKR6EKU

1.5–1.6 (0.059–0.062)
Remote control
Electric start

512
675
182
12-50
Electronic fuel injection

Forward-Neutral-Reverse

1.81 (29/16)
Power trim and tilt
T, M

Regular unleaded gasoline
Minimum 86
—
Yamalube 2-M outboard oil or another
outboard motor manufacturer’s factory­brand oil with TC-W3 rating
oil injection system

1.2 (1.3, 1.1)

10.5 (11.1, 9.2)
Hypoid gear oil (SAE90)
1,150 (38.9, 40.5)

868 (34.2)
568 (22.4)
— / 1,830 (72.0) / 1,957 (77.0)
— / 641 (25.2) / 768 (30.2)
— / 247 (545) / 252 (556)

4,500–5,500

183.9 (250) @ 5,000
670–730

2-stroke, V6
3,342 (203.9)

93.0 × 82.0 (3.66 × 3.23)
TCI system
BKR6EKU

1.5–1.6 (0.059–0.062)
Remote control
Electric start

512
675
182
12-50
Electronic fuel injection

Forward-Neutral-Reverse

1.81 (29/16)
Power trim and tilt
TL, ML

Regular unleaded gasoline
Minimum 86
—
Yamalube 2-M outboard oil or another
outboard motor manufacturer’s factory­brand oil with TC-W3 rating
oil injection system

1.2 (1.3, 1.1)

10.5 (11.1, 9.2)
Hypoid gear oil (SAE90)
1,000 (33.8, 35.2)

906 (35.7)
568 (22.4)
1,714 (67.5) / — / —
493 (19.4) / — / —
245 (540) / — / —

4,500–5,500

183.9 (250) @ 5,000
700–760

2-stroke, V6
3,342 (203.9)

93.0 × 82.0 (3.66 × 3.23)
TCI system
BKR6EKU

1.5–1.6 (0.059–0.062)
Remote control
Electric start

512
675
182
12-50
Electronic fuel injection

Forward-Neutral-Reverse

1.75 (28/16)
Power trim and tilt
T

Regular unleaded gasoline
Minimum 86
—
Yamalube 2-M outboard oil or another
outboard motor manufacturer’s factory­brand oil with TC-W3 rating
oil injection system

1.2 (1.3, 1.1)

10.5 (11.1, 9.2)
Hypoid gear oil (SAE90)
1,000 (33.8, 35.2)

25 (2.55, 18.44)
54 (5.51, 39.83)

25 (2.55, 18.44)
54 (5.51, 39.83)

25 (2.55, 18.44)
54 (5.51, 39.83)

4-2

E

001590

EMU01369

TRANSPORTING AND

STORING OUTBOARD MOTOR

w

Leaking fuel is a fire hazard. When trans­porting and storing the outboard motor,
close the air vent screw and fuel cock to
prevent fuel from leaking.

EMU00326

TRAILERING OUTBOARD MOTOR

The motor should be trailered and stored in
the normal running position. If there is insuf­ficient road clearance in this position, then
trailer the motor in the tilt position using a
motor support device such as a transom
saver bar.
For further details, consult your Yamaha
dealer.

w

8 Never get under the lower unit while it

is tilted, even if a motor support bar is
used. Severe injury could occur if the
outboard accidentally falls.

8 USE CARE when transporting fuel

tank, whether in a boat or car.

8 DO NOT fill fuel container to maximum

capacity. Gasoline will expand consid­erably as it warms up and can build up
pressure in the fuel container.This can
cause fuel leakage and a potential fire
hazard.

4-3

cC

Do not use the tilt support lever/knob
when trailering the boat. The outboard
motor could shake loose from the tilt
support and fall. If the motor can not be
trailered in the down position, use an
additional support device to secure it in
the up position.

102074

E

EMU01908

STORING OUTBOARD MOTOR

When storing your Yamaha outboard motor
for prolonged periods of time (2 months or
longer), several important procedures must
be performed to prevent expensive damage.
This is especially important for your oil
injection-equipped outboard motor due to
the lean oil ratios used at idle prior to shut­ting the engine off for the season. It is advis­able to have your outboard motor serviced
by an authorized Yamaha dealer prior to
storage. However, the following procedures
can be performed by you, the owner, with a
minimum of tools.

cC

Do not use any chemical goods contain­ing Silicon, Phosphorus, or Lead.
Consult your Yamaha dealer for details
on the use of chemical goods for stor­age.

EMU03350

Filling Fuel Tank

Fill the fuel tank with fresh fuel and add one
ounce of “Yamaha Fuel Conditioner and
Stabilizer” (Part No. LUB-FUELC-12-00) to
each gallon of fuel.

NOTE:

The use of “Yamaha Fuel Conditioner and
Stabilizer” eliminates the need to drain the
fuel system. Consult your Yamaha dealer or
other qualified mechanic if the fuel system
is to be drained instead.

4-4

903021

Z250, LZ250

E

EMU00338

Flushing Cooling System and Fogging
Engine

Cooling system flushing is essential to pre­vent the cooling system from clogging up
with salt, sand, or dirt. In addition, fogging of
the engine is mandatory to prevent expen­sive engine damage due to rust. Perform
the flushing and fogging at the same time.

w

8 Do not touch or remove electrical

parts when starting or during opera­tion.

8 Keep hands, hair and clothes away

from flywheel and other rotating parts
while engine is running.

EMU01544

Flushing with the Flushing Attachment

cC

Avoid running the outboard at high
speed while on the flushing attachment,
or overheating could occur.

Z250, LZ250

4-5

605014

1) Remove the top cowling and silencer
cover. Remove the propeller.

2) Install a flushing attachment to the
lower unit. (A flushing attachment is
available from a Yamaha dealer).

3) Run the engine at a fast idle for 10-15
minutes while supplying water.

4) Just prior to turning off the engine,
quickly spray “Yamaha Stor-Rite Engine
Fogging Oil” (Part No. LUB-STRRT-12-

00) alternately into each intake mani­fold. When properly done, the engine
will smoke excessively and almost stall.

5) Remove the flushing attachment and
wipe off any excess water.

6) Install the silencer cover and top cowl­ing. Install the propeller.

E

EMU01568

Lubrication

1) Remove the spark plug(s). Spray
“Yamaha Stor-Rite Engine Fogging Oil”
into each cylinder for 5 seconds.
Grease the spark plug threads and
reinstall the spark plug(s) and torque to
proper specification. (Refer to the sec­tion “CLEANING AND ADJUSTING
SPARK PLUG” for details).

2) Turn the engine over with the stop lan­yard disconnected to work the fogging
oil into the piston rings.

3) Fill the oil tanks. This prevents the for­mation of condensation. For models
with a remote tank, it may be necessary
to manually override the control unit to
completely fill the engine main tank.
(Refer to the section “FILLING OIL” for
details).

4) Change the gear-case oil. (Refer to the
section “CHANGING GEAR OIL” for
details). Inspect the oil for the presence
of water which indicates a leaky seal.
Seal replacement should be performed
by an authorized Yamaha dealership
prior to use.

5) Grease all grease fittings. (Refer to the
section “GREASING” for details).

EMU01904

Cleaning and Anti-corrosion Measure

1) Wash down the exterior of the outboard
with fresh water and dry off completely.

2) Spray the engine’s exterior with
“Yamaha Silicone Protectant” (Part No.
LUB-SILCNE-13-00).

cC

Do not spray when the engine is run­ning. Also, do not spray near the silencer
or into the engine.

3) Wax the cowling with a non-abrasive
wax such as “Yamaha Silicone Wax”
(Part No. ACC-11000-15-02).

4-6

E

901015

UPPER LEVEL

LOWER LEVEL

EMU01545

Battery Care

w

Battery electrolyte is poisonous and
dangerous, causing severe burns, etc. It
contains sulfuric acid. Avoid contact
with skin, eyes, or clothing.
Antidote:
EXTERNAL: Flush with water.
INTERNAL: Drink large quantities of
water or milk. Follow with milk of magne­sia, beaten egg, or vegetable oil. Call
physician immediately.
EYES: Flush with water for 15 minutes
and get prompt medical attention.
Batteries produce explosive gases: Keep
sparks, flame, cigarettes, etc. away.
Ventilate when charging or using in a
closed space. Always wear eye protec­tion when working near batteries.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

4-7

Batteries vary among manufacturers.
Therefore the following procedures may not
always apply. Consult your battery manufac­turer’s instructions.

1) Disconnect and remove the battery
from the boat. Always disconnect the
black negative lead first to prevent the
risk of shorting.

2) Clean the battery casing and terminals.
Fill each cell to the upper level with dis­tilled water.

3) Store the battery on a level surface in a
cool, dry, well-ventilated place out of
direct sunlight.

4) Once a month, check the specific gravi­ty of the electrolyte and recharge as
required to prolong battery life.

E

EMU01569

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE

w

Be sure to turn off the engine when you
perform maintenance unless otherwise
specified. If the owner is not familiar with
machine servicing, this work should be
done by a Yamaha dealer or other quali­fied mechanic.

Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and sys­tems may be performed by any marine
engine repair establishment or individ­ual. All warranty repairs, however,
including those to the emission control
system, must be performed by an autho­rized Yamaha marine dealership.

A service manual is available for purchase
through a Yamaha dealer for owners who
have the mechanical skills, tools, and other
equipment necessary to perform mainte­nance not covered by this owner’s manual.

EMU00356

REPLACEMENT PARTS

If replacement parts are necessary, use
only genuine Yamaha parts or equivalents
of the same type and of equivalent strength
and materials. Any part of inferior quality
may malfunction, and the resulting loss of
control could endanger the operator and
passengers.
Yamaha genuine parts and accessories are
available from a Yamaha dealer.

4-8

E

10 hours 50 hours 100 hours 200 hours

(1 month) (3 months) (6 months) (1 year)

Spark plug(s)

Cleaning / adjustment /
replacement

●●●

Greasing points Greasing ●

Gear oil Change ●●

Fuel system Inspection ●●●

Fuel filter (can be
disassembled)

Inspection / cleaning ●●●

Fuel tank (Yamaha
portable tank)

Inspection / cleaning ●

High pressure fuel pump
drive belt

Inspection / replacement

11

High pressure fuel pump
oil level

Inspection / filling

1

Idling speed (EFI, HPDI
models)

Inspection / adjustment

1

Anode(s) (external) Inspection / replacement ●/1 ●/1

Anode(s) (internal) Inspection / replacement

1

Cooling water passages Cleaning ●●

Propeller and cotter pin Inspection / replacement ●●

Battery Inspection / charging ●/1

Throttle link / throttle cable
/ throttle pick-up timing

Inspection / adjustment

1

Shift link / shift cable Inspection / adjustment

1

Throttle position sensor Inspection / adjustment

1

Oil tank water drain Inspection / cleaning ●/1 ●/1 ● /1

Oil pump Inspection / adjustment

1

Thermostat Inspection

1

PCV (Pressure Control
Valve)

Inspection

1

Power trim and tilt unit Inspection

1

Water pump Inspection

1

Cowling clamp Inspection ●

Actions

Item
Initial

Every

EMU19500

MAINTENANCE CHART

Frequency of maintenance operations may be adjusted according to the operating condi­tions, but the following table gives general guidelines. Refer to the sections in this chapter
for explanations of each owner-specific action.
The mark (●) indicates the check-ups which you may carry out yourself.
The mark (1) indicates work to be carried out by your Yamaha dealer.

NOTE:

When operating in salt water, turbid or muddy water, the engine should be flushed with
clean water after each use.

4-9

EMU00366

001599

500 hours 1000 hours

(2.5 years) (5 years)

High pressure fuel pump drive
belt

Replacement

1

Actions

Item

Every

GREASING

Yamaha marine grease
(Water resistant grease)

E

4-10

E

EMU01202

CLEANING AND ADJUSTING SPARK
PLUG

w

When removing or installing a spark
plug, be careful not to damage the insu­lator. A damaged insulator could allow
external sparks, which could lead to
explosion or fire.

The spark plug is an important engine com­ponent and is easy to inspect. The condition
of the spark plug can indicate something
about the condition of the engine. For exam­ple, if the center electrode porcelain is very
white, this could indicate an intake air leak
or carburetion problem in that cylinder. Do
not attempt to diagnose any problems your­self. Instead, take the outboard motor to a
Yamaha dealer. You should periodically
remove and inspect the spark plug because
heat and deposits will cause the spark plug
to slowly break down and erode. If electrode
erosion becomes excessive, or if carbon
and other deposits are excessive, you
should replace the spark plug with another
of the correct type.

4-11

Standard spark plug:

Refer to “SPECIFICATIONS”,
page 4-1.

Before fitting the spark plug, measure the
electrode gap with a wire thickness gauge;
adjust the gap to specification if necessary.

Spark plug gap:

Refer to “SPECIFICATIONS”,
page 4-1.

E

q

qw

000790

When fitting the plug, always clean the gas­ket surface and use a new gasket. Wipe off
any dirt from the threads and screw in the
spark plug to the correct torque.

Spark plug torque:

Refer to “SPECIFICATIONS”,
page 4-1.

NOTE:

If a torque-wrench is not available when you
are fitting a spark plug, a good estimate of
the correct torque is 1/4 to 1/2 a turn past
finger-tight. Have the spark plug adjusted to
the correct torque as soon as possible with
a torque-wrench.

Initial of spark

plug I.D. mark

B 21 mm (13/16 in.)

C/BK 16 mm (5/8 in.)

D 18.3 mm (23/32 in.)

1 Spark plug gap
2 Spark plug I.D. mark (NGK)

Plug wrench size

4-12

E

001587

EMU01509

CHECKING FUEL SYSTEM

w

Gasoline (petrol) and its vapors are high­ly flammable and explosive. Keep away
from sparks, cigarettes, flames or other
sources of ignition.

Check the fuel line for leaks, cracks, or mal­functions. If any problem is found, it should
be repaired immediately by Yamaha dealer
or other qualified mechanic.

Checkpoints

8 Fuel system parts leakage.
8 Fuel hose joint leakage.
8 Fuel hose cracks or other damage.
8 Fuel connector leakage.

w

Leaking fuel can result in fire or explo­sion.

8 Check for fuel leakage regularly.
8 If any fuel leakage is found, the fuel

system must be repaired by a qualified
mechanic. Improper repairs can make
the outboard unsafe to operate.

4-13

001588

E

q

001903

e

EMU00370

INSPECTING FUEL FILTER

w

Gasoline (petrol) is highly flammable,
and its vapors are flammable and explo­sive.
8 If you have any question about proper-

ly doing this procedure, consult your
Yamaha dealer.

8 Do not perform this procedure on a hot

or running engine. Allow the engine to
cool.

8 There will be fuel in the fuel filter. Keep

away from sparks, cigarettes, flames
or other sources of ignition.

8 This procedure will allow some fuel to

spill. Catch fuel in a rag. Wipe up any
spilled fuel immediately.

8 The fuel filter must be reassembled

carefully with O-ring, filter cup, and
hoses in place. Improper assembly or
replacement can result in a fuel leak,
which could result in a fire or explo­sion hazard.

t

u

w

y

r

001578

EMU19920

NOTE:

If any water is in the fuel, the float 7 will
rise. If so, remove the cup and drain the
water.

1) Lift up and hold the spring 1 to loosen
the filter cup ring nut 2.

2) Remove the filter cup 3, catching any
spilled fuel in a rag.

3) Remove the filter element 4, and wash
it in solvent. Allow it to dry. Inspect the
filter element and O-ring 5 to make
sure they are in good condition.
Replace them if necessary. If any water
is found in the fuel, the Yamaha
portable fuel tank or other fuel tanks
should be checked and cleaned.

4-14

E

4) Reinstall the filter element. Make sure
the O-ring is in position in the cup.
Insert the cup and O-ring into the filter
housing 6. Lift up and hold the spring
to screw the ring nut onto the filter
housing until the ring is lightly seated.

5) Tighten the ring nut approximately an
additional 1/4 turn until the ring nut is
tight. Align one of the four larger ring
nut tabs with the spring and release it
to lock the ring nut in position.

6) Run the engine and check the filter and
lines for leaks.

EMU01905

INSPECTING IDLING SPEED

w

8 Do not touch or remove electrical

parts when starting or during opera­tion.

8 Keep hands, hair and clothes away

from flywheel and other rotating parts
while engine is running.

4-15

cC

This procedure must be performed while
the outboard motor is in the water. A test
tank can be used.

E

213033

q

w

A diagnostic tachometer should be used for
this procedure.

1) Start the engine and allow it to warm up
fully in neutral until it is running smooth­ly. If the outboard motor is mounted on
a boat, be sure the boat is tightly
moored.

2) Verify whether the idle speed is set to
specification. For idle speed specifica­tions, see “Specifications” in this chap­ter.

NOTE:

Correct idle speed inspection is only possi­ble if the engine is fully warmed up. If not
warmed up fully, the idle speed will measure
higher than normal. If you have difficulty
verifying the idle speed, or the idle speed
requires adjustment, consult your Yamaha
dealer or other qualified mechanic.

EMU00377

CHECKING WATER IN ENGINE OIL
TANK

There is a trap at the bottom of the engine
oil tank. If water or foreign matter is visible
in this trap, consult a Yamaha dealer.

1 Tr a p
2 Engine oil tank

4-16

E

EMU00383

CHECKING WIRING AND
CONNECTORS

1) Check that each grounding wire is
properly secured.

2) Check that each connector is engaged
securely.

EMU00384

EXHAUST LEAKAGE

Start the engine and check that no exhaust
leaks from the joints between the exhaust
cover, cylinder head and crank case.

EMU00385

WATER LEAKAGE

Start the engine and check that no water
leaks from the joints between the exhaust
cover, cylinder head and crank case.

4-17

E

EMU01690

CHECKING POWER TRIM AND TILT
SYSTEM

w

8 Never get under the lower unit while it

is tilted, even when the tilt-support
lever is locked. Severe injury could
occur if the outboard accidentally falls.

8 Make sure no one is under the out-

board before performing this test.

1) Check the power trim and tilt unit for
any sign of oil leaks.

2) Operate each of the power trim and tilt
switches on remote control and engine
bottom cowling (if equipped) to check
that all switches work.

3) Tilt up the motor and check that the tilt
rod 1 and trim rods 2 are pushed out
completely.

4) Use the tilt support lever 3 to lock the
motor in the UP position. Operate the
tilt down switch briefly so the motor is
supported the tilt support lever.

5) Check that the tilt rod and trim rods are
free of corrosion or other flaws.

6) Activate the tilt-down switch until the
trim rods have gone completely into the
cylinders.

7) Activate the trim-up switch until the tilt
rod is fully extended. Unlock the tilt sup­port lever.

8) Operate the motor to tilt down. Check
that the tilt rod and trim rods operate
smoothly.

NOTE:

If any operation is abnormal, consult a
Yamaha dealer.

Recommended fluid:

Yamaha power trim & tilt fluid or ATF
(DEXRON-

2).

4-18

210012

602051

E

EMU00388

CHECKING PROPELLER

w

You could be seriously injured if the
engine accidentally starts while you are
near the propeller.
8 Before inspecting, removing or

installing the propeller, remove the
spark plug caps from the spark plugs.
Also, put the shift control in Neutral,
put the main switch in the “OFF” posi­tion and remove the key, and remove
the lanyard from the engine stop
switch. Turn off the battery cut-off
switch if your boat has one.

8 Do not use your hand to hold the pro-

peller when loosening or tightening
the propeller nut. Put a wood block
between the cavitation plate and the
propeller to prevent the propeller from
turning.

4-19

y

q

t

602036

r

w

e

602074

EMU00390

Propeller Checking Point

8 Check each of the propeller blades for

wear, erosion from cavitation or ventila­tion, or other damage.

8 Check the splines for wear and damage.
8 Check for fish line winding around the

propeller shaft.

8 Check the propeller shaft oil seal for dam-

age.

EMU00976

Removing the Propeller

1) Straighten the cotter-pin 1 and pull it
out using a pair of pliers.

2) Remove the propeller nut 2, washer 3
and spacer 4.

3) Remove the propeller 5 and thrust
washer 6.

E

602053

EMU01560

Installing the Propeller

cC

8 Be sure to install the thrust washer

before installing propeller, otherwise
the lower case and propeller boss may
be damaged.

8 Be sure to use a new cotter pin and

bend the ends over securely.
Otherwise, the propeller could come
off during operation and be lost.

1) Apply Yamaha Marine grease or
Corrosion resistant grease to the pro­peller shaft.

2) Install the thrust washer and propeller
on the propeller shaft.

3) Install the spacer and washer. Tighten
the propeller nut to the specified torque.

Tightening torque:

Refer to “SPECIFICATIONS” page 4-1.

4) Align the propeller nut with the propeller
shaft hole. Insert a new cotter pin in the
hole and bend the cotter pin ends.

NOTE:

If the propeller nut does not align with the
propeller shaft hole after tightening to the
specified torque, then tighten the nut further
to align it with the hole.

4-20

001392

q

w

q

w

001681

E

EMU01460*

CHANGING GEAR OIL

w

8 Be sure the outboard motor is securely

fastened to the transom or a stable
stand. You could be severely injured if
the outboard motor falls on you.

8 Never get under the lower unit while it

is tilted, even when the tilt support
lever or knob is locked. Severe injury
could occur if the outboard motor acci­dentally falls.

1) Tilt the outboard motor so that the gear
oil drain screw is at the lowest point
possible.

2) Place a suitable container under the
gear case.

VZ225, VZ250

3) Remove the cooling water inlet covers
on both sides of the gear case. Be
careful not to lose the bolt and nut.

4) Remove the gear oil drain screw 1.

NOTE:

The gear oil drain screw is magnetic.
Remove all metal particles from the screw
before installing it.

4-21

5) Remove the oil level plug 2 to allow

the oil to drain completely.

cC

Inspect the used oil after it has been
drained. If the oil is milky, water is get­ting into the gear case which can cause
gear damage. Consult a Yamaha dealer
for repair of the lower unit seals.

NOTE:

For disposal of used oil consult your
Yamaha dealer.

601033

001682

603024

E

6) With the outboard motor in a vertical
position, and using a flexible or pressur­ized filling device, inject the gear oil into
the gear oil drain screw hole.

Gear oil grade and capacity:

See “Specifications” in this chapter.

7) When the oil begins to flow out of the
oil level plug hole, insert and tighten the
oil level plug.

8) Insert and tighten the gear oil drain
screw.

VZ225, VZ250

9) Securely install the cooling water inlet
covers on both sides of the gear case
using the bolt and nut removed earlier.

EMU14622

INSPECTING AND REPLACING
ANODE(S)

Yamaha outboard motors are protected
from corrosion by sacrificial anodes. Inspect
the external anodes periodically. Remove
scales from the surfaces of the anodes.
Consult a Yamaha dealer for replacement of
external anodes.

cC

Do not paint anodes, as this would ren­der them ineffective.

NOTE:

Inspect ground leads attached to external
anodes on equipped models. Consult a
Yamaha dealer for inspection and replace­ment of internal anodes attached to the
power unit.

4-22

E

901015

UPPER LEVEL

LOWER LEVEL

EMU04041

CHECKING BATTERY (for Electric
start models)

w

Battery electrolytic fluid is dangerous; it
contains sulfuric acid and therefore is
poisonous and highly caustic.
Always follow these preventive mea­sures:
8 Avoid bodily contact with electrolytic

fluid as it can cause severe burns or
permanent eye injury.

8 Wear protective eye gear when han-

dling or working near batteries.

Antidote (EXTERNAL):

8 SKIN - Flush with water.
8 EYES - Flush with water for 15 minutes

and get immediate medical attention.

Antidote (INTERNAL):
8 Drink large quantities of water or milk

followed by milk of magnesia, beaten
egg, or vegetable oil. Get immediate

medical attention.
Batteries also generate explosive hydro­gen gas; therefore, you should always
follow these preventive measures:
8 Charge batteries in a well-ventilated

area.
8 Keep batteries away from fire, sparks,

or open flames (e.g., welding equip-

ment, lighted cigarettes, etc.).
8 DO NOT SMOKE when charging or

handling batteries.
8 KEEP BATTERIES AND ELECTROLYT-

IC FLUID OUT OF REACH OF CHIL-

DREN.

4-23

E

UPPER LEVEL

LOWER LEVEL

000639

cC

8 A poorly maintained battery will quick-

ly deteriorate.
8 Ordinary tap-water contains minerals

harmful to a battery, and should not be

used for topping-up.

1) Check the electrolyte level at least once

a month. Fill to the manufacturer’s rec­ommended level when necessary. Top
up only with distilled water (or pure de­ionized water suitable to use in batter­ies).

2) Always keep the battery in a good state

of charge. Installing a voltmeter will help
you monitor your battery. If you will not
use the boat for a month or more,
remove the battery from the boat and
store it in a cool, dark place.
Completely recharge the battery before
using it.

3) If the battery will be stored for longer

than a month, check the specific gravity
of the fluid at least once a month and
recharge the battery when it is low.

NOTE:

Consult a Yamaha dealer when charging or
re-charging batteries.

4-24

E

UPPER LEVEL

LOWER LEVEL

901012

q

w

e

EMU01847

Connecting the Battery

w

Mount the battery holder securely in a
dry, well-ventilated, vibration-free loca­tion in the boat. Install the fully charged
battery in the holder.

cC

8 Make sure the main switch (on applica-

ble models) is “OFF” before working

on the battery.
8 Reversal of the battery leads will dam-

age the electrical parts.
8 Connect the RED lead first when

installing the battery and disconnect

the BLACK lead first when removing it.

Otherwise, the electrical parts can be

damaged.
8 The electrical contacts of the battery

and cables must be clean and properly

connected, or the battery will not start

the engine.

4-25

Connect the RED lead to the POSITIVE (+)
terminal first. Then connect the BLACK lead
to the NEGATIVE (-) terminal.

1 Red lead
2 Black lead
3 Battery