Yamaha F115 Owners Manual

							 
75 
Trouble Recovery 
EMU29424 
Troubleshooting 
A problem in the fuel, compression, or igni-
tion systems can cause poor starting, loss of
power, or other problems. This section de-
scribes basic checks and possible remedies,
and covers all Yamaha outboard motors.
Therefore some items may not apply to your
model.
If your outboard motor requires repair, bring
it to your Yamaha dealer.
If the engine trouble warning indicator is
flashing, consult your Yamaha dealer. 
Starter will not operate. 
Q. Is battery capacity weak or low?
A. Check battery condition. Use battery of
recommended capacity.
Q. Are battery connections loose or corrod-
ed?
A. Tighten battery cables and clean battery
terminals.
Q. Is fuse for electric start relay or electric cir-
cuit blown?
A. Check for cause of electric overload and
repair. Replace fuse with one of correct am-
perage.
Q. Are starter components faulty?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is shift lever in gear?
A. Shift to neutral. 
Engine will not start (starter operates). 
Q. Is fuel tank empty?
A. Fill tank with clean, fresh fuel.
Q. Is fuel contaminated or stale?A. Fill tank with clean, fresh fuel.
Q. Is fuel filter clogged?
A. Clean or replace filter.
Q. Is starting procedure incorrect?
A. See page 42.
Q. Has fuel pump malfunctioned?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Are spark plug(s) fouled or of incorrect
type?
A. Inspect spark plug(s). Clean or replace
with recommended type.
Q. Are spark plug cap(s) fitted incorrectly?
A. Check and re-fit cap(s).
Q. Is ignition wiring damaged or poorly con-
nected?
A. Check wires for wear or breaks. Tighten
all loose connections. Replace worn or bro-
ken wires.
Q. Are ignition parts faulty?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is engine stop switch lanyard not at-
tached?
A. Attach lanyard.
Q. Are engine inner parts damaged?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer. 
Engine idles irregularly or stalls. 
Q. Are spark plug(s) fouled or of incorrect
type?
A. Inspect spark plug(s). Clean or replace
with recommended type. 
						

							 
Trouble Recovery 
76 
Q. Is fuel system obstructed?
A. Check for pinched or kinked fuel line or
other obstructions in fuel system.
Q. Is fuel contaminated or stale?
A. Fill tank with clean, fresh fuel.
Q. Is fuel filter clogged?
A. Clean or replace filter.
Q. Have ignition parts failed?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Has warning system activated?
A. Find and correct cause of warning.
Q. Is spark plug gap incorrect?
A. Inspect and adjust as specified.
Q. Is ignition wiring damaged or poorly con-
nected?
A. Check wires for wear or breaks. Tighten
all loose connections. Replace worn or bro-
ken wires.
Q. Is specified engine oil not being used?
A. Check and replace oil as specified.
Q. Is thermostat faulty or clogged?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Are carburetor adjustments incorrect?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is fuel pump damaged?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is air vent screw on fuel tank closed?
A. Open air vent screw.
Q. Is choke knob pulled out?A. Return to home position.
Q. Is motor angle too high?
A. Return to normal operating position.
 
Q. Is carburetor clogged?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is fuel joint connection incorrect?
A. Connect correctly.
Q. Is throttle valve adjustment incorrect?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is battery cable disconnected?
A. Connect securely. 
Warning buzzer sounds or indicator
lights. 
Q. Is cooling system clogged?
A. Check water intake for restriction.
Q. Is engine oil level low?
A. Fill oil tank with specified engine oil.
Q. Is heat range of spark plug incorrect?
A. Inspect spark plug and replace it with rec-
ommended type.
Q. Is specified engine oil not being used?
A. Check and replace oil with specified type.
Q. Is engine oil contaminated or deteriorat-
ed?
A. Replace oil with fresh, specified type.
Q. Is oil filter clogged?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Has oil feed/injection pump malfunc-
tioned? 
						

							 
Trouble Recovery 
77 
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is load on boat improperly distributed?
A. Distribute load to place boat on an even
plane.
Q. Is water pump or thermostat faulty?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is there excess water in fuel filter cup?
A. Drain filter cup. 
Engine power loss. 
Q. Is propeller damaged?
A. Have propeller repaired or replaced.
Q. Is propeller pitch or diameter incorrect?
A. Install correct propeller to operate out-
board at its recommended speed (r/min)
range.
Q. Is trim angle incorrect?
A. Adjust trim angle to achieve most efficient
operation.
Q. Is motor mounted at incorrect height on
transom?
A. Have motor adjusted to proper transom
height.
Q. Has warning system activated?
A. Find and correct cause of warning.
Q. Is boat bottom fouled with marine growth?
A. Clean boat bottom.
Q. Are spark plug(s) fouled or of incorrect
type?
A. Inspect spark plug(s). Clean or replace
with recommended type.Q. Are weeds or other foreign matter tangled
on gear housing?
A. Remove foreign matter and clean lower
unit.
Q. Is fuel system obstructed?
A. Check for pinched or kinked fuel line or
other obstructions in fuel system.
Q. Is fuel filter clogged?
A. Clean or replace filter.
Q. Is fuel contaminated or stale?
A. Fill tank with clean, fresh fuel.
Q. Is spark plug gap incorrect?
A. Inspect and adjust as specified.
Q. Is ignition wiring damaged or poorly con-
nected?
A. Check wires for wear or breaks. Tighten
all loose connections. Replace worn or bro-
ken wires.
Q. Have electrical parts failed?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is specified fuel not being used?
A. Replace fuel with specified type.
Q. Is specified engine oil not being used?
A. Check and replace oil with specified type.
Q. Is thermostat faulty or clogged?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is air vent screw closed?
A. Open the air vent screw.
Q. Is fuel pump damaged?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer. 
						

							 
Trouble Recovery 
78 
Q. Is fuel joint connection incorrect?
A. Connect correctly.
Q. Is heat range of spark plug incorrect?
A. Inspect spark plug and replace it with rec-
ommended type.
Q. Is high pressure fuel pump drive belt bro-
ken?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Is engine not responding properly to shift
lever position?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer. 
Engine vibrates excessively. 
Q. Is propeller damaged?
A. Have propeller repaired or replaced.
Q. Is propeller shaft damaged?
A. Have serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Q. Are weeds or other foreign matter tangled
on propeller?
A. Remove and clean propeller.
Q. Is motor mounting bolt loose?
A. Tighten bolt.
Q. Is steering pivot loose or damaged?
A. Tighten or have serviced by a Yamaha
dealer. 
EMU29433 
Temporary action in 
emergency 
EMU29440 
Impact damage
WARNING
 
EWM00870  
The outboard motor can be seriouslydamaged by a collision while operating or
trailering. Damage could make the out- 
board motor unsafe to operate. 
If the outboard motor hits an object in the wa-
ter, follow the procedure below.
1. Stop the engine immediately.
2. Inspect the control system and all com-
ponents for damage. Also inspect the
boat for damage.
3. Whether damage is found or not, return
to the nearest harbor slowly and careful-
ly.
4. Have a Yamaha dealer inspect the out-
board motor before operating it again. 
EMU29450 
Running single engine 
When using only engine in an emergency, be
sure to keep the unused one tilted up and op-
erate the other engine at low speed.
CAUTION:
 
ECM00370  
If the boat is operated with one engine in
the water but not running, water may run
into the exhaust pipe due to wave action, 
causing engine trouble.
NOTE:
 
When you are maneuvering at low speed,
such as near a dock, it is recommended that
both engines be running with one in neutral 
gear if possible. 
						

							 
Trouble Recovery 
79 
EMU29480 
Replacing fuse 
If the fuse has blown on an electric start
model, remove the electrical cover, open the
fuse holder, and replace the fuse with a new
one of the proper amperage.
WARNING
 
EWM00630  
Be sure to use the specified fuse. An in-
correct fuse or a piece of wire could allow
excessive current flow. This could cause 
electric system damage and a fire hazard.
NOTE:
 
Consult your Yamaha dealer if the new fuse 
immediately blows again. 
EMU29522 
Power trim and tilt / power tilt will not 
operate 
If the engine cannot be tilted up or down with 
1. Electrical cover
2. Fuse holder
3. Fuse (20 A  
× 
 2, 30 A  
×  
 2)
4. Spare fuse (20 A, 30 A)
5. Fuse puller
1. Fuse puller
1 223
4
5
ZMU04279
1
ZMU04280 
						

							 
Trouble Recovery 
80 
the power trim and tilt / the power tilt because
of a discharged battery or a failure with the
power trim and tilt unit / the power tilt unit, the
engine can be tilted manually.
1. Loosen the manual valve screw by turn-
ing it counterclockwise until it stops.
2. Put the engine in the desired position,
then tighten the manual valve screw by
turning it clockwise. 
EMU31780 
Water separator warning indicator 
blinks while cruising
WARNING
 
EWM01500  
Gasoline is highly flammable, and its va-
pors are flammable and explosive. 
 
Do not perform this procedure on a hot
or running engine. Allow the engine to
cool. 
 
There will be fuel in the fuel filter. Keep
away from sparks, cigarettes, flames or
other sources of ignition. 
 
This procedure will allow some fuel to
spill. Catch fuel in a rag. Wipe up any
spilled fuel immediately. 
 
The fuel filter must be reassembled
carefully with the O-ring, filter cup, and
hoses in place. Improper assembly or
replacement could result in a fuel leak,which could result in a fire or explosion 
hazard. 
If the water separator warning indicator on
the tachometer blinks, perform the following
procedure.
1. Stop the engine.
2. Remove the top cowling.
3. Disconnect the water detection switch
coupler.
CAUTION:
 
ECM01570  
Be careful not to get any water on the wa-
ter detection switch coupler, otherwise a 
malfunction could occur. 
4. Unscrew the filter cup from the filter
housing. 
1. Manual valve screw
ZMU03464
1
 
1. Water separator warning indicator
1. Water detection switch coupler
1ZMU05480 
						

							 
Trouble Recovery 
81
NOTE:
 
Be careful not to twist the water detection 
switch lead when unscrewing the filter cup.
5. Drain the water in the filter cup by soak-
ing it up with a rag.
NOTE:
 
Properly dispose of the rag.
6. Firmly screw the filter cup onto the filter
housing.
NOTE:
 
Be careful not to twist the water detection
switch lead when screwing the filter cup onto 
the filter housing.
7. Connect the water detection switch cou-
pler securely until a click is heard.8. Install the top cowling.
9. Start the engine and make sure that the
water separator warning indicator re-
mains off.
NOTE:
 
Have a Yamaha dealer inspect the outboard 
motor after returning to port. 
EMU29541 
Starter will not operate 
If the starter mechanism does not operate
(the engine cannot be cranked with the start-
er), the engine can be started manually with
an emergency starter rope. However, the en-
gine cannot be started manually if the battery
voltage is low. If the battery is discharged to
9 volts or below, the electric fuel pump will
not operate.
WARNING
 
EWM01021  
 
Use this procedure only in an emergen-
cy to return to the nearest port for re-
pairs. 
 
When the emergency starter rope is
used to start the engine, the start-in-
gear protection device does not oper-
ate. Make sure the remote control lever
is in neutral. Otherwise the boat could
unexpectedly start to move, which
could result in an accident. 
 
Attach the engine stop switch lanyard
to a secure place on your clothing, or
your arm or leg while operating the
boat. 
 
Do not attach the lanyard to clothing
that could tear loose. Do not route the
cord where it could become entangled,
preventing it from functioning. 
 
Avoid accidentally pulling the lanyard
during normal operation. Loss of en-
gine power means the loss of most
steering control. Also, without engine 
1. Filter cup
2. Water detection switch lead
1. Water detection switch coupler
1
2ZMU05479
1ZMU05503 
						

							 
Trouble Recovery 
82 
power, the boat could slow rapidly. This
could cause people and objects in the
boat to be thrown forward. 
 
Make sure no one is standing behind
you when pulling the starter rope. It
could whip behind you and injure
someone. 
 
An unguarded, rotating flywheel is very
dangerous. Keep loose clothing and
other objects away when starting the
engine. Use the emergency starter rope
only as instructed. Do not touch the fly-
wheel or other moving parts when the
engine is running. Do not install the
starter mechanism or top cowling after
the engine is running. 
 
Do not touch the ignition coil, spark
plug wire, spark plug cap, or other elec-
trical components when starting or op-
erating the motor. You could get an 
electrical shock. 
EMU29643 
Emergency starting engine 
1. Remove the top cowling.
2. Remove the two bolts holding the fly-
wheel cover.
3. Lift up the rear of flywheel cover and pull
it forward to remove it.
4. Prepare the engine for starting. For fur-
ther information, see page 42. Be sure
the engine is in neutral and that the en-gine stop switch lanyard lock plate is at-
tached to the engine stop switch. The
main switch must be “” (on).
5. Insert the knotted end of the emergency
starter rope into the notch in the flywheel
rotor and wind the rope around the fly-
wheel clockwise.
6. Pull the rope slowly until resistance is
felt.
7. Remove the rope from the flywheel tem-
porarily.
ZMU04250
ZMU02334
ON
STARTOFFON
STARTOFF
ZMU04589 
						

							 
Trouble Recovery 
83 
8. Rewind the rope around the flywheel ap-
proximately 3/4 of a turn clockwise.
9. Give a strong pull straight out to crank
and start the engine. Repeat if neces-
sary. 
EMU29760 
Treatment of submerged motor 
If the outboard motor is submerged, immedi-
ately take it to a Yamaha dealer. Otherwise
some corrosion may begin almost immedi-
ately.
If you cannot immediately take the outboard
motor to a Yamaha dealer, follow the proce-
dure below in order to minimize engine dam-
age. 
EMU29790 
Procedure 
1. Thoroughly wash away mud, salt, sea-
weed, and so on, with fresh water.
2. Remove the spark plugs and face the
spark plug holes downward to allow any
water, mud, or contaminants to drain.
3. Drain the fuel from the vapor separator,
fuel filter, and fuel line.
4. Feed fogging oil or engine oil through
the intake manifold and spark plug holes
while cranking with the emergency start-
er rope.
5. Take the outboard motor to a Yamahadealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION:
 
ECM00400  
Do not attempt to run the outboard motor 
until it has been completely inspected.
ZMU04272 
						

							 
84 
Consumer information 
EMU29811 
Important warranty information for U.S.A. and Canada