2003 YAMAHA YZ250F engine

IMPORTANT NOTICE
THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED STRICTLY
FOR COMPETITION USE, ONLY ON A
CLOSED COURSE. It is illegal for this
machine to be operated on any public street,
road, or highway. Off-road use on public lands
may also be illegal. Please check local regula-
tions before riding.
1. THIS MACHINE IS TO BE OPERATED
BY AN EXPERIENCED RIDER ONLY.
Do not attempt to operate this
machine at maximum power until you
are totally familiar with its character-
istics.
2. THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED TO BE
RIDDEN BY THE OPERATOR ONLY.
Do not carry passengers on this
machine.
3. ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE
APPAREL.
When operating this machine, always
wear an approved helmet with gog-
gles or a face shield. Also wear heavy
boots, gloves, and protective cloth-
ing. Always wear proper fitting cloth-
ing that will not be caught in any of
the moving parts or controls of the
machine.
4. ALWAYS MAINTAIN YOUR MACHINE
IN PROPER WORKING ORDER.
For safety and reliability, the machine
must be properly maintained. Always
perform the pre-operation checks
indicated in this manual. Correcting a
mechanical problem before you ride
may prevent an accident.
5. GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.
Always turn off the engine while refu-
eling. Take care to not spill any gaso-
line on the engine or exhaust system.
Never refuel in the vicinity of an open
flame, or while smoking.
SAFETY INFORMATION

6. GASOLINE CAN CAUSE INJURY.
If you should swallow some gasoline,
inhale excess gasoline vapors, or
allow any gasoline to get into your
eyes, contact a doctor immediately. If
any gasoline spills onto your skin or
clothing, immediately wash skin areas
with soap and water, and change your
clothes.
7. ONLY OPERATE THE MACHINE IN AN
AREA WITH ADEQUATE VENTILA-
TION.
Never start the engine or let it run for
any length of time in an enclosed area.
Exhaust fumes are poisonous. These
fumes contain carbon monoxide,
which by itself is odorless and color-
less. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous
gas which can cause unconscious-
ness or can be lethal.
8. PARK THE MACHINE CAREFULLY;
TURN OFF THE ENGINE.
Always turn off the engine if you are
going to leave the machine. Do not
park the machine on a slope or soft
ground as it may fall over.
9. THE ENGINE, EXHAUST PIPE, MUF-
FLER, AND OIL TANK WILL BE VERY
HOT AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN
RUN.
Be careful not to touch them or to
allow any clothing item to contact
them during inspection or repair.
10. PROPERLY SECURE THE MACHINE
BEFORE TRANSPORTING IT.
When transporting the machine in
another vehicle, always be sure it is
properly secured and in an upright
position and that the fuel cock is in
the “OFF” position. Otherwise, fuel
may leak out of the carburetor or fuel
tank.

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.

ILLUSTRATED SYMBOLS
(Refer to the illustration)
Illustrated symbols
1
to
7
are designed as
thumb tabs to indicate the chapter’s number
and content.
1
General information
2
Specifications
3
Regular inspection and adjustments
4
Engine
5
Chassis
6
Electrical
7
Tuning
Illustrated symbols
8
to
D
are used to identify
the specifications appearing in the text.
8
With engine mounted
9
Special tool
0
Filling fluid
A
Lubricant
B
Tightening
C
Specified value, Service limit
D
Resistance (
Ω
), Voltage (V), Electric current (A)
Illustrated symbols
E
to
H
in the exploded
diagrams indicate grade of lubricant and loca-
tion of lubrication point.
E
Apply engine oil
F
Apply molybdenum disulfide oil
G
Apply lightweight lithium-soap base grease
H
Apply molybdenum disulfide grease
Illustrated symbols
I
to
J
in the exploded
diagrams indicate where to apply a locking
agent and where to install new parts.
IApply locking agent (LOCTITE®)
JUse new one 12
34
56
78
90
AB
CD
EF
GH
IJ
GEN
INFOSPEC
INSP
ADJENG
CHAS–+ELEC
TUN
T R..
EM
BM

EC090010
INDEX
GENERAL INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
REGULAR INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENTS
ENGINE
CHASSIS
ELECTRICAL
TUNING

EC0A0000
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION .......................................... 1-1
MACHINE IDENTIFICATION .................... 1-2
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ................... 1-3
CHECKING OF CONNECTION ................ 1-6
SPECIAL TOOLS ...................................... 1-7
CONTROL FUNCTIONS ......................... 1-10
FUEL ....................................................... 1-13
STARTING AND BREAK-IN ................... 1-14
TORQUE-CHECK POINTS ..................... 1-18
CLEANING AND STORAGE .................. 1-19
CHAPTER 2
SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS .................. 2-1
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS ......... 2-4
GENERAL TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS .................................. 2-17
DEFINITION OF UNITS .......................... 2-17
CABLE ROUTING DIAGRAM ................ 2-18
CHAPTER 3
REGULAR INSPECTION AND
ADJUSTMENTS
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS ................... 3-1
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION
AND MAINTENANCE ............................... 3-4
ENGINE ..................................................... 3-5
CHASSIS ................................................. 3-24
ELECTRICAL .......................................... 3-45

CHAPTER 4
ENGINE
SEAT, FUEL TANK
AND SIDE COVERS ................................. 4-1
EXHAUST PIPE AND SILENCER ............ 4-3
RADIATOR ................................................ 4-5
CARBURETOR ......................................... 4-8
CAMSHAFTS .......................................... 4-21
CYLINDER HEAD ................................... 4-30
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS ........... 4-33
CYLINDER AND PISTON ....................... 4-42
CLUTCH .................................................. 4-49
OIL FILTER ELEMENT, WATER PUMP
AND RIGHT CRANKCASE COVER ...... 4-56
BALANCER ............................................ 4-63
OIL PUMP ............................................... 4-66
KICK SHAFT AND SHIFT SHAFT .......... 4-71
CDI MAGNETO ....................................... 4-78
ENGINE REMOVAL ................................ 4-82
CRANKCASE AND CRANKSHAFT ....... 4-87
TRANSMISSION, SHIFT CAM
AND SHIFT FORK .................................. 4-96
CHAPTER 5
CHASSIS
FRONT WHEEL AND REAR WHEEL ...... 5-1
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE ..... 5-10
FRONT FORK ......................................... 5-26
HANDLEBAR .......................................... 5-39
STEERING .............................................. 5-45
SWINGARM ............................................ 5-50
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ................... 5-58

CHAPTER 6
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
AND WIRING DIAGRAM .......................... 6-1
MAP-CONTROLLED CDI UNIT ................ 6-2
IGNITION SYSTEM ................................... 6-3
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR
SYSTEM .................................................... 6-7
CHAPTER 7
TUNING
ENGINE ..................................................... 7-1
CHASSIS ................................................. 7-11