maintenance
MATTERS
®
A SIMPLE GUIDE FOR THE LONGEVITY OF YOUR OUTBOARD
®
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Summary of Contents for Yamaha V-MAX SHO VF250

  • Page 1 maintenance MATTERS ® A SIMPLE GUIDE FOR THE LONGEVITY OF YOUR OUTBOARD ®...
  • Page 2 Protection and peace of mind WHY MAINTENANCE? Yamaha wants you to have an outstanding ownership experience. Maintenance plays a big part in that. We’ve learned a lot about caring for outboards during our many years as an outboard manufacturer; so here’s some knowledge and simple tips on the subject.
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Outboard maintenance doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. Whether you do it all yourself or have one of approximately 2,000 authorized Yamaha Marine dealers do parts of it for you, we’re committed to helping you maintain your outboard in a way that’s easy to do and easy to understand.
  • Page 4: Let's Get Started

    first things first LET’S GET STARTED We boaters can take a lesson from pilots, who perform a simple walkaround of their craft before each and every use. They know taking a few short minutes to do this every time is key to safety and enjoyment. Each time before you go boating, you should do the same.
  • Page 5 Yamaha dealers stand ready to help. With approximately 2,000 authorized Yamaha Marine dealers nationwide, one can assist you with proper maintenance of your Yamaha outboard. From regular maintenance to installation of parts and accessories, they have the tools and the training to do the job right.
  • Page 6: Corrosion Prevention

    DEFEND AGAINST THE ELEMENTS CORROSION PREVENTION While your Yamaha Marine dealer can help you with, or even do, most of your general and preventative maintenance, corrosion mitigation is something you can only do yourself—and time is of the essence. Regardless of where you boat, corrosion attacks both the inside and the outside of your outboard—every day, all the time.
  • Page 7 I boat exclusively in freshwater, do I still need to? Your Yamaha outboard is raw-water cooled, meaning it uses the water it’s operating on as cooling water. All water, fresh or salt, contains contaminants that will eventually build up in the cooling passages over time.
  • Page 8 If you’re unsure about what to do and when, your Scan here to see a video about corrosion prevention.* authorized Yamaha Marine dealer can help. Rinse it. • Don’t spare the hose when returning from a trip, particularly in saltwater. Rinse the entire outside of the outboard with clean water.
  • Page 9 Don’t be fooled by lesser-quality imitations. There’s too much at stake here to risk it. Yamaha sacrificial anodes are made of a blend of high-quality alloys specifically designed to help protect your Yamaha outboard.
  • Page 10: Fuel & Fuel System

    Keeping your Machine clean FUEL & FUEL SYSTEM The largest source of trouble with marine engines these days lies with the fuel and fuel system. Paying regular attention to both can help prevent major headaches down the road. From hoses and connections to proper filtration and even fuel additives, time spent maintaining your fuel system helps keep you safe and your boat ready for action.
  • Page 11 It filters the gas and allows any water (which is heavier than gas) to safely sink to the bottom of the filter and out of the fuel. Yamaha’s spin-on 10-micron filter traps impurities down to 10 microns in size (1/20th of the diameter of a human hair), to keep your fuel clean, and has an extra-large water-retention area.
  • Page 12 Are there any other fuel filters, and where are they located? Your Yamaha outboard has a system of fuel filters on the engine, as well. It’s important to know the location of these filters and to clean or replace them at the recommended intervals. You can find this information in your service manual or through your authorized Yamaha Marine dealer.
  • Page 13 “Spill-Proof Spout” which shuts off automatically when the container reaches capacity. This helps prevent spills and helps them comply with emissions requirements. All the items in this catalog are available through your local authorized Yamaha Marine dealer. More information can be found at Maintenance.YamahaOutboards.com.
  • Page 14: Electrical System

    TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Today’s modern outboards and onboard electronics require juice to run. That’s why your electrical system is one of the most important systems on your boat. Because boats constantly operate on or are near water, electrical system care is even more important, especially in highly corrosive saltwater environments.
  • Page 15 Many large Yamaha outboards (150hp and up) have a separate battery isolator/charging leads specifically for charging these separate batteries. With proper wiring and components the charging system will be able to charge the starting battery/batteries first to help keep the voltage up and ready to go.
  • Page 16 Note: Do not spray silicone on any oxygen (O ) sensors that your outboard may have. We’ve got the goods. Yamaha offers a complete range of electrical system care products, including original- equipment NGK spark plugs, Yamalube Yamashield Protectant and Lubricant, Yamalube ®...
  • Page 17: Power Trim & Tilt

    (or stay tilted out when running), it may mean that the seals or internal valves are in need of inspection. Have the unit inspected by an authorized Yamaha Marine dealer and, if necessary, disassembled and repaired.
  • Page 18: Propeller Solutions

    Any of these will rob performance and potentially cause damaging vibration to your outboard. If found, get the prop examined and repaired by a qualified propeller repair facility. Your local Yamaha Marine dealer is a great place to start. Something missing? If you’ve noticed a decrease in your boat’s performance, but your outboard checks...
  • Page 19: External Appearance

    Yamaha Marine dealer. Just look for the yellow stripe on the Yamalube label.
  • Page 20: Interval Maintenance

    • Please refer to your owner’s manual or consult with your authorized YAMALUBE STOR-RITE ENGINE FOGGING OIL ® Yamaha Marine dealer for specific requirements of your engine. ENGINE FLUSH PROCEDURE • • • • After each use, especially in salt or brackish water...
  • Page 21: Engine Oil & Lube

    Note: The top and bottom of the crosshatch pattern on the dipstick do not represent “high” and “low.” The correct oil level indication is at the mid-point of the pattern. Use caution when filling or adding oil. Yamaha four-stroke outboards have a tapered oil sump design (smaller at the top than the bottom), so the closer the oil level is to full, the faster it fills.
  • Page 22 What oil should I use? Your Yamaha outboard is vastly different from your automotive engine; so avoid regular automotive engine oils. Use a motor oil specifically formulated for the rigors of the marine environment, like Yamalube 4M for ® four-stroke outboards, and Yamalube ®...
  • Page 23 Can I change my own oil? Absolutely, but you don’t have to. If you’d rather leave it to your Yamaha Marine dealer, they will be happy to take care of it for you in their specially trained and properly equipped service department.
  • Page 24: Lower Unit

    Marine Gearcase Lube. It can perform all of these required ® protection and lubrication duties, even with a full 10% of water present. There’s even an HD formula, to meet the special needs of Yamaha’s top-of-the-line V MAX SHO ® 4.2L V6 Offshore and 5.3L F350 V8 outboard...
  • Page 25 Have the lower unit seals inspected by your Yamaha Marine dealer through a pressure test, and if necessary, have the seals replaced. Pressure testing a lower unit is best performed by an authorized Yamaha Marine dealer, because depending on findings, it may be necessary to disassemble the lower unit for further inspection.
  • Page 26: Other Key Items

    Once RPM increases a bit, however, you should see it. If you don’t, keep a close watch on your temperature gauge and listen for a warning horn. Additionally, Yamaha outboards have an RPM reduction mode (as do most brands) which will limit the engine RPM if an overheat condition is detected.
  • Page 27 Note: If you’re at all uneasy about performing impeller/water pump inspection and replacement procedures, have your local Yamaha Marine dealer do the work. They have the tools, materials and training to do it right, for your peace of mind. Belts and Hoses.
  • Page 28: Extended Storage

    Or worse, fixing damage created in the offseason. Take proper precautions. This is not the time to hurry or compromise. Your Yamaha dealer has the goods if you prefer to DIY. Otherwise, they will be happy to take care of these procedures for you.
  • Page 29 It also keeps your boat looking as good as it did when you wrapped it. Be sure to ask your local Yamaha Marine dealer about it.
  • Page 30: Things To Remember

    Don’t Forget THINGS TO REMEMBER Over the years, Yamaha has learned a thing or two about keeping boating fun and enjoyable—not to mention safe. And proper maintenance plays a big role in this. Here are a few related thoughts to carry with you when preparing for good times out on the water.
  • Page 31 Trailers need love, too. Your trailer takes the good times to the water, but it is an often-neglected item when it comes to maintenance. It’s not difficult to do, and it’s important. Here are a few tips: Lug nuts and a jack. Check the torque on your trailer’s lug nuts regularly. Carry the •...
  • Page 32: Why Yamaha

    Confidence you can count on WHY YAMAHA? No one knows your Yamaha outboard better than Yamaha, including how to care for and maintain it. That’s why the engineers that designed and built your outboard are some of the same engineers that assist in the formulation of specific products designed to help you care for it.
  • Page 33 Yamalube products; so you know they’re right for the job. • Engineered to work better. Yamaha formulates its products to meet the specific needs of your outboard. Aftermarket product manufacturers use a one-size-fits-all approach that may not fully protect your outboard.
  • Page 34: Capacities & Specs

    ** 5W-30 and 10W-30 are correct for all climates. 20W-40 is for consistently warm climates. *** 10W-30 weight oil maximum ‡ Other fuel filters may be present on this engine. Consult your authorized Yamaha Marine dealer or go to “Parts Lookup” under “Care & Maintenance” on YamahaOutboards.com for complete details.
  • Page 35 Yamaha mini-10™ DPR6EB-9 Note: All numbers listed are subject to change without notice. Please verify all listings with your owners manual or check with your local Yamaha Marine Dealer. NGK is a registered trademark of NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
  • Page 36 Insist on Yamaha, and only Yamaha. *Message and data rates may apply. May not be available on all devices. For the name of your Yamaha Marine dealer or for more information on our complete line of Yamaha Outboards, call 1-800-88-YAMAHA or visit us at YamahaOutboards.com.

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