2002 YAMAHA YZ250F warning

EC020000
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a
Yamaha YZ series. This model is the culmina-
tion of Yamaha’s vast experience in the pro-
duction of pacesetting racing machines. It
represents the highest grade of craftsmanship
and reliability that have made Yamaha a
leader.
This manual explains operation, inspection,
basic maintenance and tuning of your
machine. If you have any questions about this
manual or your machine, please contact your
Yamaha dealer.
NOTE:

As improvements are made on this model,
some data in this manual may become out-
dated. If you have any questions, please con-
sult your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING

PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
AND COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING
THIS MACHINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
OPERATE THIS MACHINE UNTIL YOU
HAVE ATTAINED A SATISFACTORY
KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CONTROLS AND
OPERATING FEATURES AND UNTIL YOU
HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN SAFE AND
PROPER RIDING TECHNIQUES. REGULAR
INSPECTIONS AND CAREFUL MAINTE-
NANCE, ALONG WITH GOOD RIDING
SKILLS, WILL ENSURE THAT YOU SAFETY
ENJOY THE CAPABILITIES AND THE RELI-
ABILITY OF THIS MACHINE.

EC080000
HOW TO USE
THIS MANUAL
EC081000
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
The Safety Alert Symbol means ATTENTION!
BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS
INVOLVED!
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 machine.
A CAUTION indicates special precautions that
must be taken to avoid damage to the
machine.
NOTE:
A NOTE provides key information to make pro-
cedures easier or clearer.
WARNING
CAUTION:

EC082000
FINDING THE REQUIRED PAGE
1. This manual consists of seven chapters;
“General information”, “Specifications”,
“Regular inspection and adjustments”,
“Engine”, “Chassis”, “Electrical” and
“Tuning”.
2. The table of contents is at the beginning
of the manual. Look over the general lay-
out of the book before finding then
required chapter and item.
Bend the book at its edge, as shown, to
find the required fore edge symbol mark
and go to a page for required item and
description.

1 - 13
GEN
INFO
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
EC15F000
VALVE JOINT
This valve joint 1 prevents fuel from flowing
out and is installed to the fuel tank breather
hose.
CAUTION:
In this installation, make sure the arrow
faces the fuel tank and also downward.
EC15R001
DETACHABLE SIDESTAND
This sidestand 1 is used to support only the
machine when standing or transporting it.
WARNING
Never apply additional force to the side-
stand.
Remove this sidestand before starting
out.
FLAP
In order to prevent water from entering the car-
buretor while the machine is operated in the
rain, attach the accessory flap 1 to the frame
at the rear of the fuel tank.
NOTE:
Riding with the flap attached when it is not
raining can help keep out dust, dirt and sand.

1 - 15
GEN
INFO
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
WARNING
Never start or run the engine in a closed
area. The exhaust fumes are poisonous;
they can cause loss of consciousness and
death in a very short time. Always operate
the machine in a well-ventilated area.
CAUTION:
The carburetor on this motorcycle has a
built-in accelerator pump. Therefore,
when starting the engine, do not operate
the throttle or the spark plug will foul.
Unlike a two-stroke engine, this engine
cannot be kick started when the throttle is
open because the kick starter may kick
back. Also, if the throttle is open the air/
fuel mixture may be too lean for the
engine to start.
Never use the decompression lever after
the engine is started. The engine may be
damaged if you use the decompression
lever while it is running.
Before starting the machine, perform the
checks in the pre-operation check list.
STARTING A COLD ENGINE
1. Inspect the coolant level.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Shift the transmission into neutral.
4. Fully open the cold starter knob.
5. Without pulling in the decompression
lever, slowly depress the kickstarter
crank until the compression stroke is
found. When considerable resistance of
the kickstarter crank is felt, the engine is
on the compression stroke. If the engine
is on the exhaust stroke, resistance will
only be felt when the kickstarter crank is
initially depressed, not through the entire
range of depression (as when the engine
is on the compression stroke); therefore,
depress the kickstarter crank a few more
times.
STARTING AND BREAK-IN

1 - 16
GEN
INFO
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
6. Pull the decompression lever to the han-
dlebar and depress the kickstarter crank
10 ~ 20˚.
7. Release the decompression lever and
return the kickstarter crank to its original
position and then kick the kickstarter
crank.
WARNING
Do not open the throttle while kicking the
kickstarter crank. Otherwise, the kick
starter may kick back.
8. Return the cold starter knob to its original
position and run the engine at 3,000 ~
5,000 r/min for 1 or 2 minutes.
NOTE:
Since this model is equipped with an accelera-
tor pump, if the engine is raced (the throttle
opened and closed), the air/fuel mixture will be
too rich and the engine may stall. Also unlike a
two-stroke engine, this model can idle.
CAUTION:
Do not warm up the engine for extended
periods of time.

3 - 5
INSP
ADJ
EC350000
ENGINE
COOLANT LEVEL INSPECTION
WARNING
Do not remove the radiator cap 1, drain
bolt and hoses when the engine and radia-
tor are hot. Scalding hot fluid and steam
may be blown out under pressure, which
could cause serious injury.
When the engine has cooled, place a thick
towel over the radiator cap, slowly rotate
the cap counterclockwise to the detent.
This procedure allows any residual pres-
sure to escape. When the hissing sound
has stopped, press down on the cap while
turning counterclockwise and remove it.
CAUTION:
Hard water or salt water is harmful to the
engine parts. You may use distilled water, if
you can’t get soft water.
1. Place the machine on a level place, and
hold it in an upright position.
2. Remove:
Radiator cap
3. Check:
Coolant level a
Coolant level low → Add coolant.
1Radiator
1a
ENGINE/COOLANT LEVEL INSPECTION

3 - 6
INSP
ADJ
COOLANT REPLACEMENT
COOLANT REPLACEMENT
WARNING
Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot.
CAUTION:
Take care so that coolant does not splash
on painted surfaces. If it splashes, wash it
away with water.
1. Place a container under the engine.
2. Remove:
Coolant drain bolt 1
3. Remove:
Radiator cap
Drain the coolant completely.
4. Clean:
Cooling system
Thoroughly flush the cooling system
with clean tap water.
5. Install:
Copper washer
Coolant drain bolt
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
6. Fill:
Radiator
Engine
To specified level.
Recommended coolant:
High quality ethylene glycol
anti-freeze containing anti-
corrosion for aluminum engine
Coolant 1 and water (soft water) 2
mixing ratio:
50 %/50 %
Coolant capacity:
0.9 L (0.79 Imp qt, 0.95 US qt)

3 - 7
INSP
ADJ
RADIATOR CAP INSPECTION
CAUTION:
Do not mix more than one type of ethyl-
ene glycol antifreeze containing corro-
sion inhibitors for aluminum engine.
Do not use water containing impurities or
oil.
7. Install:
Radiator cap
Start the engine and warm it up for a
several minutes.
8. Check:
Coolant level
Coolant level low → Add coolant. Handling notes of coolant:
The coolant is harmful so it should be han-
dled with special care.
WARNING
When coolant splashes to your eye.
Thoroughly wash your eye with water
and see your doctor.
When coolant splashes to your clothes.
Quickly wash it away with water and
then with soap.
When coolant is swallowed.
Quickly make him vomit and take him
to a doctor.
EC355000
RADIATOR CAP INSPECTION
1. Inspect:
Seal (radiator cap) 1
Valve and valve seat 2
Crack/damage → Replace.
Exist fur deposits 3 → Clean or
replace.