Yamaha F4A User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
F4A
68D-F8199-77-E0

EMU25051
Read this owner’s manual carefully before operating or working on your
outboard motor. Keep this manual onboard in a waterproof bag when
boating. This manual should stay with the outboard motor if it is sold.

Important manual information
EMU25103
To the owner
Thank you for choosing a Yamaha outboard
motor. This Owner’s Manual contains infor-
mation needed for proper operation, mainte-
nance and care. A thorough understanding
of these simple instructions will help you ob-
tain 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.
The Safety Alert Symbol means
ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
WARNING
EWM00780
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 out-
board motor.
CAUTION:
ECM00700
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 prod-
uct information available at the time of print-
ing, there may be minor discrepancies
between your machine and this manual. If
there is any question concerning this manu-
al, please consult your Yamaha dealer.
To ensure long product life, Yamaha recom-
mends that you use the product and perform
the specified periodic inspections and main-
tenance by correctly following the instruc-
tions in the owner’s manual. Any damage
resulting from neglect of these instructions is
not covered by warranty.
Some countries have laws or regulations re-
stricting users from taking the product out of
the country where it was purchased, and it
may be impossible to register the product in
the destination country. Additionally, the
warranty may not apply in certain regions.
When planning to take the product to another
country, consult the dealer where the prod-
uct was purchased for further information.
If the product was purchased used, please
consult your closest dealer for customer re-
registration, and to be eligible for the speci-
fied services.
NOTE:
The F4AMH and the standard accessories
are used as a base for the explanations and
illustrations in this manual. Therefore some
items may not apply to every model.
EMU25141
F4A
OWNER’S MANUAL
©2007 by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
1st Edition, April 2007
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in France

Table of contents
General information .......................... 1
Identification numbers record.......... 1
Outboard motor serial number .......... 1
EC label........................................... 1
Emission control information ........... 1
SAV models ...................................... 1
Read manuals and labels................ 3
Warning labels .................................. 3
Safety information............................. 6
Safety information ........................... 6
Rotating parts.................................... 6
Hot parts ........................................... 6
Electric shock.................................... 6
Engine shut-off cord.......................... 6
Gasoline............................................ 6
Gasoline exposure and spills ............ 6
Carbon monoxide.............................. 6
Modifications ..................................... 6
Boating safety ................................. 7
Alcohol and drugs ............................. 7
Personal flotation devices ................. 7
People in the water ........................... 7
Passengers ....................................... 7
Overloading....................................... 7
Avoid collisions ................................. 7
Weather ............................................ 8
Passenger training ............................ 8
Boating safety publications ............... 8
Laws and regulations ........................ 8
Basic requirements ........................... 9
Fueling instructions ......................... 9
Gasoline............................................ 9
Engine oil .......................................... 9
Installation requirements ............... 10
Boat horsepower rating................... 10
Mounting motor ............................... 10
Propeller selection .......................... 10
Start-in-gear protection ................. 11
Basic components .......................... 12
Main components.......................... 12
Fuel tank ......................................... 12
Fuel tank ......................................... 13
Fuel joint ......................................... 13
Fuel gauge ...................................... 13
Fuel tank cap................................... 13
Air vent screw.................................. 13
Fuel cock ......................................... 13
Open ............................................... 14
Tiller handle..................................... 14
Gear shift lever................................ 14
Throttle grip ..................................... 15
Throttle indicator ............................. 15
Throttle friction adjuster................... 15
Engine shut-off switch ..................... 16
Engine stop button .......................... 16
Choke knob for pull type .................16
Manual starter handle .....................16
Steering friction adjuster .................17
Trim rod (tilt pin) .............................. 17
Tilt lock mechanism......................... 17
Tilt support bar ................................ 17
Top cowling lock lever (pull up
type) .............................................. 18
Carrying handle ............................... 18
Operation ......................................... 19
Installation..................................... 19
Mounting the outboard motor .......... 19
Clamping the outboard motor.......... 20
Breaking in engine ........................ 21
Procedure for 4-stroke models........ 21
Pre-operation checks.................... 22
Fuel ................................................. 22
Controls ........................................... 22
Stop switches .................................. 22
Engine ............................................. 22
Checking the engine oil level ..........22
Filling fuel...................................... 23
Operating engine .......................... 23
Feeding fuel .................................... 23
Starting engine ................................ 25
Warming up engine....................... 26
Warming up (Manual start
models) ......................................... 26
Shifting.......................................... 27
Stopping boat................................ 28
Stopping engine............................ 28
Procedure........................................ 28
Trimming outboard motor.............. 29
Adjusting trim angle for manual tilt

Table of contents
models .......................................... 29
Adjusting boat trim .......................... 30
Tilting up and down ....................... 31
Procedure for tilting up (manual tilt
models) ......................................... 32
Procedure for tilting down (manual
tilt models) .................................... 33
Cruising in shallow water .............. 33
Cruising in shallow water (manual
tilt models) .................................... 34
Cruising in other conditions........... 35
Maintenance..................................... 36
Specifications ................................ 36
Transporting and storing outboard
motor ........................................... 37
Clamp screw mounting models....... 37
Storing outboard motor ................... 38
Procedure ....................................... 38
Lubrication ...................................... 40
Cleaning the outboard motor .......... 40
Checking painted surface of
motor............................................. 41
Periodic maintenance.................... 41
Replacement parts.......................... 41
Severe operating conditions ........... 41
Maintenance chart 1 ....................... 42
Maintenance chart 2 ....................... 44
Greasing ......................................... 45
Cleaning and adjusting spark
plug ............................................... 45
Checking fuel system...................... 46
Checking fuel filter .......................... 47
Inspecting idling speed ................... 47
Changing engine oil ........................ 47
Checking wiring and connectors ..... 49
Exhaust leakage ............................. 49
Water leakage................................. 49
Engine oil leakage........................... 49
Checking propeller .......................... 49
Removing propeller......................... 50
Installing propeller........................... 50
Changing gear oil............................ 51
Cleaning fuel tank ........................... 52
Inspecting and replacing
anode(s)........................................ 52
Checking top cowling ...................... 53
Coating the boat bottom.................. 53
Trouble Recovery............................ 54
Troubleshooting ............................ 54
Temporary action in emergency ... 57
Impact damage ............................... 57
Starter will not operate .................... 57
Emergency starting engine .............58
Treatment of submerged motor .... 59
Procedure........................................ 59

1
General information
EMU25171
Identification numbers record
EMU25183
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 sto-
len.
EMU25202
EC label
Engines affixed with this label conform to
certain portions of the European Parliament
directive relating to machinery. Refer to the
label and the EC Declaration of Conformity
for more details.
EMU25221
Emission control information
EMU25351
SAV models
Engines affixed with the label pictured below
conform to SAV (the Swiss exhaust emission
regulations for Swiss inshore waters).
Approval label of emission control certif-
1. Outboard motor serial number location
1. EC label location
ZMU02651
1
ZMU01696

General information
2
icate
Fuel requirement label
1. Approval label location
1. Fuel requirement label location
1
ZMU04493
YAMAHA MOTOR CO.,LTD.
Motorfamilie
Abgastypenpruf-
Nummer
ZMU04492
1
ZMU04495
ZMU04494

General information
3
EMU33520
Read manuals and labels
Before operating or working on this motor:
●
Read this manual.
●
Read any manuals supplied with the boat.
● Read all labels on the outboard motor and the boat.
If you need any additional information, contact your Yamaha dealer.
EMU33831
Warning labels
If these labels are damaged or missing, contact your Yamaha dealer for replacements.
1
3
4
1
2
ZMU05919

General information
4
EMU35280
Contents of labels
The above warning labels mean as follows.
1
WARNING
EWM01690
Emergency starting does not have start-
in-gear protection. Ensure shift control is
in neutral before starting engine.
2
WARNING
EWM01680
● Keep hands, hair, and clothing away
from rotating parts while the engine is
running.
● Do not touch or remove electrical parts
when starting or during operation.
3
WARNING
EWM01670
●
Read Owner’s Manuals and labels.
●
Wear an approved personal flotation
device (PFD).
●
Attach engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to
your PFD, arm, or leg so the engine
stops if you accidentally leave the
helm, which could prevent a runaway
boat.
4
WARNING
EWM01700
Gasoline is highly flammable and explo-
ZMU05920
12
34

General information
5
sive. Shut off engine before refueling.
Tighten tank cap and air vent screw when
not in use.
EMU33841
Symbols
The following symbols mean as follows.
Caution/Warning
Read Operator’s Manual
Hazard caused by continuous rotation
Electrical hazard
Remote control lever/gear shift lever operat-
ing direction, dual direction
Engine start/ Engine cranking
ZMU05696
ZMU05664
ZMU05665
ZMU05666
ZMU05667
ZMU05668

6
Safety information
EMU33621
Safety information
Observe these precautions at all times.
EMU33630
Rotating parts
Hands, feet, hair, jewelry, clothing, PFD
straps, etc. can become entangled with inter-
nal rotating parts of the engine, resulting in
serious injury or death.
Keep the top cowling in place whenever pos-
sible. Do not remove or replace the cowling
with the engine running.
Only operate the engine with the cowling re-
moved according to the specific instructions
in the manual. Keep hands, feet, hair, jewel-
ry, clothing, PFD straps, etc. away from any
exposed moving parts.
EMU33640
Hot parts
During and after operation, engine parts are
hot enough to cause burns. Avoid touching
any parts under the top cowling until the en-
gine has cooled.
EMU33650
Electric shock
Do not touch any electrical parts while start-
ing or operating the engine. They can cause
shock or electrocution.
EMU33670
Engine shut-off cord
Attach the engine shut-off cord so that the
engine stops if the operator falls overboard
or leaves the helm. This prevents the boat
from running away under power and leaving
people stranded, or running over people or
objects.
Always attach the engine shut-off cord to a
secure place on your clothing or your arm or
leg while operating. Do not remove it to leave
the helm while the boat is moving. Do not at-
tach the cord to clothing that could tear
loose, or route the cord where it could be-
come entangled, preventing it from function-
ing.
Do not route the cord where it is likely to be
accidentally pulled out. If the cord is pulled
during operation, the engine will shut off and
you will lose most steering control. The boat
could slow rapidly, throwing people and ob-
jects forward.
EMU33810
Gasoline
Gasoline and its vapors are highly flam-
mable and explosive. Always, refuel ac-
cording to the procedure on page 23 to
reduce the risk of fire and explosion.
EMU33820
Gasoline exposure and spills
Take care not to spill gasoline. If gasoline
spills, wipe it up immediately with dry rags.
Dispose of rags properly.
If any gasoline spills onto your skin, immedi-
ately wash with soap and water. Change
clothing if gasoline spills on it.
If you swallow gasoline, inhale a lot of gaso-
line vapor, or get gasoline in your eyes, get
immediate medical attention. Never siphon
fuel by mouth.
EMU33900
Carbon monoxide
This product emits exhaust gases which
contain carbon monoxide, a colorless, odor-
less gas which may cause brain damage or
death when inhaled. Symptoms include nau-
sea, dizziness, and drowsiness. Keep cock-
pit and cabin areas well ventilated. Avoid
blocking exhaust outlets.
EMU33780
Modifications
Do not attempt to modify this outboard mo-
tor. Modifications to your outboard motor
may reduce safety and reliability, and render
the outboard unsafe or illegal to use.

Safety information
7
EMU33740
Boating safety
This section includes a few of the many im-
portant safety precautions that you should
follow when boating.
EMU33710
Alcohol and drugs
Never operate after drinking alcohol or tak-
ing drugs. Intoxication is one of the most
common factors contributing to boating fatal-
ities.
EMU33720
Personal flotation devices
Have an approved personal flotation device
(PFD) on board for every occupant. Yamaha
recommends that you must 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 boat-
ing conditions.
EMU33730
People in the water
Always watch carefully for people in the wa-
ter, such as swimmers, skiers, or divers,
whenever the engine is running. When
someone is in the water near the boat, shift
into neutral and shut off the motor.
Stay away from swimming areas. Swimmers
can be hard to see.
The propeller can keep moving even when
the motor is in neutral. Shut off the engine
when a person is in the water near you.
EMU33750
Passengers
Consult your boat manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for details about appropriate passenger
locations in your boat and be sure all pas-
sengers are positioned properly before ac-
celerating and when operating above an idle
speed. Standing or sitting in non-designated
locations may result in being thrown either
overboard or within the boat due to waves,
wakes, or sudden changes in speed or direc-
tion. Even when people are positioned prop-
erly, alert your passengers if you must make
any unusual maneuver. Always avoid jump-
ing waves or wakes.
EMU33760
Overloading
Do not overload the boat. Consult the boat
capacity plate or boat manufacturer for max-
imum weight and number of passengers. Be
sure that weight is properly distributed ac-
cording to the boat manufacturers instruc-
tions. Overloading or incorrect weight
distribution can compromise the boats han-
dling and lead to an accident, capsizing or
swamping.
EMU33770
Avoid collisions
Scan constantly for people, objects, and
other boats. Be alert for conditions that limit
your visibility or block your vision of others.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people, ob-
jects, and other boats.
●
Do not follow directly behind other boats or
waterskiers.
● Avoid sharp turns or other maneuvers that
make it hard for others to avoid you or un-
derstand where you are going.
● Avoid areas with submerged objects or
shallow water.
●
Ride within your limits and avoid aggres-
sive maneuvers to reduce the risk of loss
of control, ejection, and collision.
●
Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, boats do not have brakes , and
stopping the engine or reducing throttle
can reduce the ability to steer. If you are
not sure that you can stop in time before
hitting an obstacle, apply throttle and turn
in another direction.

Safety information
8
EMU33790
Weather
Stay informed about the weather. Check
weather forecasts before boating. Avoid
boating in hazardous weather.
EMU33880
Passenger training
Make sure at least one other passenger is
trained to operate the boat in the event of an
emergency.
EMU33890
Boating safety publications
Be informed about boating safety. Additional
publications and information can be obtained
from many boating organizations.
EMU33600
Laws and regulations
Know the marine laws and regulations where
you will be boating- and obey them. Several
sets of rules prevail according to geographic
location, but all are basically the same as the
International Rules of the Road.

9
Basic requirements
EMU25540
Fueling instructions
WARNING
EWM00010
GASOLINE AND ITS VAPORS ARE HIGH-
LY FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE!
● Do not smoke when refueling, and keep
away from sparks, flames, or other
sources of ignition.
● Stop engine before refueling.
●
Refuel in a well-ventilated area. Refuel
portable fuel tanks off the boat.
● Take care not to spill gasoline. If gaso-
line spills, wipe it up immediately with
dry rags.
● Do not overfill the fuel tank.
●
Tighten the filler cap securely after re-
fueling.
● If you should swallow some gasoline,
inhale a lot of gasoline vapor, or get
gasoline in your eyes, get immediate
medical attention.
●
If any gasoline spills onto your skin, im-
mediately wash with soap and water.
Change clothing if gasoline spills on it.
●
Touch the fuel nozzle to the filler open-
ing or funnel to help prevent electro-
static sparks.
CAUTION:
ECM00010
Use only new clean gasoline which has
been stored in clean containers and is not
contaminated with water or foreign mat-
ter.
EMU25580
Gasoline
If knocking or pinging occurs, use a different
brand of gasoline or premium unleaded fuel.
EMU25683
Engine oil
NOTE:
If the recommended engine oil grades are
not available, select an alternative from the
following chart according to the average
temperatures in your area.
Recommended gasoline:
Regular unleaded gasoline with a min-
imum octane rating of 90 (Research
Octane Number).
Recommended engine oil:
4-stroke motor oil with a combination
of the following SAE and API oil classi-
fications
Engine oil type SAE:
10W-30 or 10W-40
Engine oil grade API:
SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, SL
Engine oil quantity (excluding oil filter):
0.5 L (0.53 US qt) (0.44 Imp.qt)

Basic requirements
10
CAUTION:
ECM01050
All 4-stroke engines are shipped from the
factory without engine oil.
EMU33552
Installation requirements
EMU33560
Boat horsepower rating
Before installing the outboard motor(s), con-
firm that the total horsepower of your mo-
tor(s) does not exceed the boats maximum
horsepower rating. See the boats capacity
plate or contact the manufacturer.
WARNING
EWM01560
Overpowering a boat can cause severe
instability.
EMU33570
Mounting motor
Your dealer or other person experienced in
proper rigging should mount the motor using
correct equipment and complete rigging in-
structions. For further information, see page
19.
WARNING
EWM01570
●
Improper mounting of the outboard mo-
tor could result in hazardous condi-
tions such as poor handling, loss of
control, or fire hazards.
● Because the motor is very heavy, spe-
cial equipment and training is required
to mount it safely.
EMU34190
Propeller selection
Next to selecting an outboard, choosing the
right propeller is one of the most important
purchasing decisions a boater can make.
The type, size, and design of your propeller
have a direct impact on acceleration, top
speed, fuel economy, and even engine life.
Yamaha designs and manufactures propel-
lers for every Yamaha outboard motor and
every application.
Your outboard motor came with a Yamaha
propeller chosen to perform well over a
range of applications, but there may be uses
where a different propeller would be more
appropriate.
Your Yamaha dealer can help you select the
right propeller for your boating needs. Select
a propeller that will allow the engine to reach
the middle or upper half of the operating
range at full throttle with the maximum boat-
load. Generally, chose a larger pitch propel-
ler for a smaller operating load and a smaller
pitch propeller for a heavier load. If you carry
ZMU01710

Basic requirements
11
loads that vary widely, chose the propeller
that lets the engine run in the proper range
for your maximum load but remember that
you may need to reduce your throttle setting
to stay within the recommended engine
speed range when carrying lighter loads.
For instructions on propeller removal and in-
stallation, see page 49.
EMU25770
Start-in-gear protection
Yamaha outboard motors or Yamaha-ap-
proved remote control units are equipped
with start-in-gear protection device(s). This
feature permits the engine to be started only
when it is in neutral. Always select neutral
before starting the engine.
1. Propeller diameter in inches
2. Propeller pitch in inches
3. Type of propeller (propeller mark)
ZMU04604
-
x
123

12
Basic components
EMU2579D
Main components
NOTE:
* May not be exactly as shown; also may not be included as standard equipment on all mod-
els.
F4A
EMU25802
Fuel tank
If your model was equipped with a portable
1
2
4
8
7
6
9
3
5
10
2
11
14
18
17
16
13
12
15
19
ZMU04483
20
21
1. Top cowling
2. Top cowling lock lever
3. Carrying handle
4. Steering friction screw
5. Anti-cavitation plate
6. Propeller
7. Cooling water inlet
8. Trim rod
9. Clamp bracket
10. Tiller handle
11. Air vent screw
12. Fuel tank cap
13. Manual starter handle
14. Engine stop button/Engine shut-off switch
15. Clamp screw
16. Rope attachment
17. Fuel joint
18. Choke knob
19. Gear shift lever
20. Fuel tank*
21. Clip

Basic components
13
fuel tank, its function is as follows.
WARNING
EWM00020
The fuel tank supplied with this engine is
its dedicated fuel reservoir and must not
be used as a fuel storage container. Com-
mercial users should conform to relevant
licensing or approval authority regula-
tions.
EMU25821
Fuel tank
If your model included a fuel tank, its parts
and functions are as follows.
EMU25830
Fuel joint
This joint is used to connect the fuel line.
EMU25841
Fuel gauge
This gauge is located on either the fuel tank
cap or on the fuel joint base. It shows the ap-
proximate amount of fuel remaining in the
tank.
EMU25850
Fuel tank cap
This cap seals the fuel tank. When removed,
the tank can be filled with fuel. To remove the
cap, turn it counterclockwise.
EMU25860
Air vent screw
This screw is on the fuel tank cap. To loosen
the screw, turn it counterclockwise.
EMU25872
Fuel cock
The fuel cock turns on and off the supply of
fuel from the fuel tank to the engine.
EMU25881
Close
To stop fuel flow to the engine, turn the lever
or knob to close position.
Always turn the lever or knob to close posi-
tion when the engine is not running.
1. Air vent screw
2. Fuel gauge
3. Fuel joint
4. Fuel tank cap
1. Air vent screw
2. Built-in fuel tank
3. Fuel tank cap
ZMU01992
32
41
ZMU02658
1
3
2
1. Fuel cock
ZMU02659
1

Basic components
14
EMU25901
Open
The fuel cock has two open positions, one for
selecting fuel flow from the built-in fuel tank,
and one for an external tank.
Fuel flows to the carburetor with the lever or
knob in either open position. These are the
normal running positions.
EMU25911
Tiller handle
To change direction, move the tiller handle to
the left or right as necessary.
EMU25922
Gear shift lever
Pulling the gear shift lever towards you puts
the engine in forward gear so that the boat
moves ahead. Pushing the lever away from
you puts the engine in reverse gear so that
the boat moves astern.
1. Close position
1. “OPEN”position for the built-in tank
ZMU02659
1
ZMU02661
1
1. “OPEN”position for the portable tank
ZMU02652
1
ZMU02662

Basic components
15
EMU25941
Throttle grip
The throttle grip is on the tiller handle. Turn
the grip counterclockwise to increase speed
and clockwise to decrease speed.
EMU25961
Throttle indicator
The fuel consumption curve on the throttle
indicator shows the relative amount of fuel
consumed for each throttle position. Choose
the setting that offers the best performance
and fuel economy for the desired operation.
EMU25971
Throttle friction adjuster
A friction device provides adjustable resis-
tance to movement of the throttle grip or the
remote control lever, and can be set accord-
ing to operator preference.
To increase resistance, turn the adjuster
clockwise. To decrease resistance, turn the
adjuster counterclockwise.
WARNING
EWM00031
Do not overtighten the friction adjuster. If
there is too much resistance, it could be
difficult to move the remote control lever
or throttle grip, which could result in an
accident.
When constant speed is desired, tighten the
adjuster to maintain the desired throttle set-
ting.
1. Forward “”
2. Neutral “”
3. Reverse “”
2
N
1
F
3
R
ZMU02663
ZMU02664
1. Throttle indicator
1
ZMU02665
ZMU02666