2003 YAMAHA YZ450F engine

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INSP
ADJ
ENGINE OIL LEVEL INSPECTION
4. Inspect:
Oil level
Oil level should be between maximum
a and minimum b marks.
Oil level low → Add oil to proper level.
NOTE:
When inspecting the oil level, do not screw the
oil level gauge into the oil tank.
Insert the gauge lightly.
(For USA and CDN)
CAUTION:
Do not add any chemical additives.
Engine oil also lubricates the clutch and
additives could cause clutch slippage.
Do not allow foreign material to enter the
crankcase.
(Except for USA and CDN)
CAUTION:
Do not add any chemical additives or use
oils with a grade of CD a or higher.
Do not use oils labeled “ENERGY CON-
SERVING II” b or higher. Engine oil also
lubricates the clutch and additives could
cause clutch slippage.
Do not allow foreign materials to enter the
crankcase.
Recommended oil:
At 5 ˚C (40 ˚F) or higher Å
Yamalube 4 (20W-40) or SAE
20W-40 type SG motor oil
(Non-Friction modified)
At 15 ˚C (60 ˚F) or lower ı
Yamalube 4 (10W-30) or SAE
10W-30 type SG motor oil
(Non-Friction modified)
and/or
Yamalube 4-R (15W-50)
(Non-Friction modified)
Recommended oil:
Refer to the following chart for
selection of oils which are suited
to the atmospheric temperatures.
Recommended engine oil classi-
fication:
API STANDARD:
API “SG” or higher grade
(Designed primarily for motor-
cycles)
a
b
-20
-4-10
140
3010
5020
6830
8640 50
104
122°CTemp.
°F
10W-30
10W-40
20W-40
20W-50
15W-40
a
b

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INSP
ADJ
ENGINE OIL REPLACEMENT
5. Start the engine and let it warm up for
several minutes.
CAUTION:
When the oil tank is empty, never start the
engine.
6. Idle the engine more than 10 seconds
while keeping the motorcycle upright.
Then stop the engine and add the oil to
the maximum level.
7. Install:
Oil tank cap
ENGINE OIL REPLACEMENT
1. Start the engine and let it warm up for
several minutes.
2. Stop the engine and place an oil pan
under the drain bolt.
3. Remove:
Oil tank plug 1
Oil filler cap 2
Drain bolt (with gasket) 3
Oil filter drain bolt (O-ring) 4
Drain bolt (with gasket) 5
Drain bolt (with gasket) 6
Drain the crankcase and oil tank
(frame) of its oil.
4. Remove:
Engine skid plate
Engine oil hose clamp 1
Bolt (engine oil hose) 2
Engine oil hose 3
Oil strainer (frame) 4
5. Clean:
Oil strainer (frame)

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INSP
ADJ

ENGINE OIL REPLACEMENT
6. If the oil filter is to be replaced during this
oil change, remove the following parts
and reinstall them.
7. Install:

Plain washer
1


Oil strainer (frame)
2


Engine oil hose
3


Bolt (engine oil hose)
4


Engine oil hose clamp
5


Engine skid plate
8. Install:

Gaskets

Oil filter drain bolt

Drain bolt (crankcase rear)

Drain bolt (crankcase left)

Drain bolt (frame)
9. Fill:

Crankcase
10. Install:

Oil filler plug
11. Inspect:

Engine (for oil leaks)

Oil level
Refer to “ENGINE OIL LEVEL INSPEC-
TION”.
Replacement steps:

Remove the exhaust pipe.

Remove the oil filter cover
1
and oil filter
element
2
.

Check the O-rings
3
, if cracked or dam-
aged, replace them with a new one.

Install the oil filter element and oil filter
cover.
T R..

Oil filter cover:
10 Nm (1.0 m • kg, 7.2 ft • lb)
Oil quantity:
Total amount:
1.2 L (1.06 Imp qt, 1.27 US qt)
Periodic oil change:
1.0 L (0.88 Imp qt, 1.06 US qt)
With oil filter replacement:
1.1 L (0.97 Imp qt, 1.16 US qt)
New
T R..90 Nm (9.0 m · kg, 65 ft · lb)
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
New
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..20 Nm (2.0 m · kg, 14 ft · lb)
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..23 Nm (2.3 m · kg, 17 ft · lb)

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INSP
ADJ
PILOT SCREW ADJUSTMENT
12. Check:
Oil pressure
Checking steps:
Slightly loosen the oil gallery bolt 1.
Start the engine and keep it idling until oil
starts to seep from the oil gallery bolt. If no
oil comes out after one minute, turn the
engine off so it will not seize.
Check oil passages, oil filter and oil pump
for damage or leakage.
Start the engine after solving the prob-
lem(s) and recheck the oil pressure.
Tighten the oil gallery bolt to specification.
T R..
Oil gallery bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m • kg, 7.2 ft • lb)
PILOT SCREW ADJUSTMENT
1. Adjust:
Pilot screw 1
Adjusting steps:
NOTE:
To optimize the fuel flow at a smaller throttle
opening, each machine’s pilot screw has
been individually set at the factory. Before
adjusting the pilot screw, turn it in fully and
count the number of turns. Record this num-
ber as the factory-set number of turns out.
Turn in the pilot screw until it is lightly
seated.
Turn out the pilot screw by the factory-set
number of turns.
Pilot screw:
2 turns out (example)

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INSP
ADJIDLE SPEED ADJUSTMENT/
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
EC35M021
IDLE SPEED ADJUSTMENT
1. Start the engine and thoroughly warm it
up.
2. Adjust:
Idle speed
Adjustment steps:
Adjust the pilot screw.
Refer to “PILOT SCREW ADJUSTMENT”
section.
Turn the throttle stop screw 1 until the
engine runs at the lowest possible speed.
To increase idle speed →
Turn the throttle stop screw 1 in a.
To decrease idle speed →
Turn the throttle stop screw 1 out b.
Engine idling speed:
1,900 ~ 2,100 r/min
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
NOTE:
The valve clearance should be adjusted
when the engine is cool to the touch.
The piston must be at Top Dead Center
(T.D.C.) on compression stroke to check or
adjust the valve clearance.
1. Remove:
Seat
Fuel tank
Refer to “SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS” section in the CHAPTER 4.
2. Remove:
Carburetor
Refer to “CARBURETOR” section in
the CHAPTER 4.
Spark plug cap
Engine stay (upper)
Cylinder head cover
Refer to “CAMSHAFTS” section in the
CHAPTER 4.
3. Remove:
Timing plug 1
Straight plug 2
O-ring

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INSP
ADJ
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
Round off the last digit of the installed pad
number to the nearest increment.
Last digit of pad
numberRounded value
0, 1 or 2 0
4, 5 or 6 5
8 or 9 10
EXAMPLE:
Installed pad number = 148
Rounded off value = 150
NOTE:
Pads can only be selected in 0.05 mm incre-
ments.
Locate the rounded-off value and the mea-
sured valve clearance in the chart “PAD
SELECTION TABLE”. The field where
these two coordinates intersect shows the
new pad number to use.
NOTE:
Use the new pad number only as a guide
when verifying the valve clearance adjust-
ment.
Install the new pads 5 and the valve lift-
ers 6.
NOTE:
Apply the engine oil on the valve lifters.
Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil on the
valve stem ends.
Valve lifter must turn smoothly when
rotated with a finger.
Be careful to reinstall valve lifters and
pads in their original place.
Install the camshafts (exhaust and intake),
the timing chain and the camshaft caps.
Refer to “CAMSHAFTS” section in the
CHAPTER 4.
T R..
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m • kg, 7.2 ft • lb)

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INSP
ADJ
DRIVE CHAIN SLACK ADJUSTMENT
5. Install:
Drive chain 1
Joint 2
Master link clip 3
CAUTION:
Be sure to install the master link clip to the
direction as shown.
aTurning direction
6. Lubricate:
Drive chain
Drive chain lubricant:
SAE 10W-30 motor oil or suit-
able chain lubricants
New
DRIVE CHAIN SLACK ADJUSTMENT
1. Elevate the rear wheel by placing the
suitable stand under the engine.
2. Check:
Drive chain slack a
Above the seal guard installation bolt.
Out of specification → Adjust.
NOTE:
Before checking and/or adjusting, rotate the
rear wheel through several revolutions and
check the slack several times to find the tight-
est point. Check and/or adjust chain slack with
rear wheel in this “tight chain” position.
Drive chain slack:
40 ~ 50 mm (1.6 ~ 2.0 in)

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INSP
ADJ
FRONT FORK INSPECTION
3. Adjust:
Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack adjustment steps:
Loosen the axle nut 1 and locknuts 2.
Adjust chain slack by turning the adjusters
3.
To tighten → Turn adjuster 3 counter-
clockwise.
To loosen → Turn adjuster 3 clockwise
and push wheel forward.
Turn each adjuster exactly the same
amount to maintain correct axle alignment.
(There are marks a on each side of chain
puller alignment.)
NOTE:
Turn the adjuster so that the chain is in line
with the sprocket, as viewed from the rear.
CAUTION:
Too small chain slack will overload the
engine and other vital parts; keep the
slack within the specified limits.
Tighten the axle nut while pushing down
the drive chain.
T R..
Axle nut:
125 Nm (12.5 m • kg, 90 ft • lb)
Tighten the locknuts.
T R..
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m • kg, 11 ft • lb)
EC36C000
FRONT FORK INSPECTION
1. Inspect:
Front fork smooth action
Operate the front brake and stroke the
front fork.
Unsmooth action/oil leakage → Repair
or replace.