2003 YAMAHA YZ450F engine

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ENGCARBURETOR
EC466020
HANDLING NOTE
CAUTION:
Do not loosen the screws {TPS (throttle
position sensor)} 1 except when changing
the TPS (throttle position sensor) due to
failure because it will cause a drop in
engine performance.
1
REMOVAL POINTS
Pilot screw
1. Remove:
Pilot screw 1
NOTE:
To optimize the fuel flow at a small throttle
opening, each machine’s pilot screw has been
individually set at the factory. Before removing
the pilot screw, turn it in fully and count the
number of turns. Record this number as the
factory-set number of turns out.
INSPECTION
Carburetor
1. Inspect:
Carburetor body
Contamination → Clean.
NOTE:
Use a petroleum based solvent for cleaning.
Blow out all passages and jets with com-
pressed air.
Never use a wire.

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ENGCAMSHAFTS
CAMSHAFTS
CYLINDER HEAD COVER
Extent of removal:1 Cylinder head cover removal
Extent of removal Order Part name Q’ty Remarks
CYLINDER HEAD COVER
REMOVAL
Preparation for removal Seat and fuel tank Refer to “SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS” section.
Carburetor Refer to “CARBURETOR” section.
1 Spark plug 1
2 Engine upper bracket (right) 1
3 Engine upper bracket (left) 1
4 Cylinder head breather hose 1
5 Oil tank breather hose 1
6 Bolt (cylinder head cover) 2
7 Cylinder head cover 1
8 Gasket 1
9 Timing chain guide (upper) 1
1

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ENGCAMSHAFTS
Decompression system
1. Check:
Decompression system
Checking steps:
Check that the decompressor cam 1
moves smoothly.
Check that the decompressor lever pin 2
projects from the camshaft.
Timing chain tensioner
1. Check:
While pressing the tensioner rod lightly
with fingers, use a thin screwdriver 1
and wind the tensioner rod up fully
clockwise.
When releasing the screwdriver by
pressing lightly with fingers, make sure
that the tensioner rod will come out
smoothly.
If not, replace the tensioner assembly.
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
1. Install:
Exhaust camshaft 1
Intake camshaft 2
Installation steps:
Turn the crankshaft counterclockwise until
the “I” mark a on the rotor is aligned with
the stationary pointer b on the crankcase
cover.
NOTE:
Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil on the
camshafts.
Apply the engine oil on the decompression
system.

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ENGCAMSHAFTS
Fit the timing chain 3 onto both camshaft
sprockets and install the camshafts on the
cylinder head.
NOTE:
The camshafts should be installed onto the
cylinder head so that the exhaust cam
sprocket punch mark c and the intake cam
sprocket punch mark d align with the sur-
face of the cylinder head.
CAUTION:
Do not turn the crankshaft during the
camshaft installation. Damage or
improper valve timing will result.
Install the clips and camshaft caps 4.
T R..
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m • kg, 7.2 ft • lb)
NOTE:
Apply the engine oil on the thread and con-
tact surface of the bolts (camshaft cap) 5.
Tighten the bolts (camshaft cap) in a criss-
cross pattern.
CAUTION:
The bolts (camshaft cap) must be tight-
ened evenly, or damage to the cylinder
head, camshaft caps, and camshaft will
result.
5
4
E
2. Install:
Timing chain tensioner
Installation steps:
While pressing the tensioner rod lightly
with fingers, use a thin screwdriver and
wind the tensioner rod up fully clockwise.

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ENGVALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
3. Install:
Valve cotters
NOTE:
While compressing the valve spring with a
valve spring compressor 1 install the valve
cotters.
4. To secure the valve cotters onto the
valve stem, lightly tap the valve tip with a
piece of wood.
CAUTION:
Hitting the valve tip with excessive force
could damage the valve.
Valve spring compressor:
YM-4019/90890-04019
5. Install:
Adjusting pad 1
Valve lifter 2
NOTE:
Apply the engine oil on the valve lifters.
Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil on the
valve stem end.
Valve lifter must turn smoothly when rotated
with a finger.
Be careful to reinstall valve lifters and pads
in their original place.

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ENGCYLINDER AND PISTON
Piston pin
1. Inspect:
Piston pin
Blue discoloration/grooves → Replace,
then inspect the lubrication system.
2. Measure:
Piston pin-to-piston clearance
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
Piston
1. Install:
Piston rings
Onto the piston.
NOTE:
Be sure to install the piston rings so that the
manufacturer’s marks or numbers are
located on the upper side of the rings.
Lubricate the piston and piston rings liberally
with engine oil. Measurement steps:
Measure the outside diameter (piston pin)
a.
If out of specification, replace the piston
pin.
Outside diameter (piston pin):
17.991 ~ 18.000 mm
(0.7083 ~ 0.7087 in)
Measure the inside diameter (piston) b.
Inside diameter (piston):
18.004 ~ 18.015 mm
(0.7088 ~ 0.7093 in)
Calculate the piston pin-to-piston clear-
ance with the following formula.
Piston pin-to-piston clearance =
Inside diameter (piston) b –
Outside diameter (piston pin) a
If out of specification, replace the piston.
Piston pin-to-piston clearance:
0.004 ~ 0.024 mm
(0.00016 ~ 0.00094 in)
: 0.07 mm (0.003 in)

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ENGCYLINDER AND PISTON
2. Position:
Top ring
2nd ring
Oil ring
Offset the piston ring end gaps as
shown.
aTop ring end
b2nd ring end
cOil ring end (upper)
dOil ring
eOil ring end (lower)
3. Install:
Piston 1
Piston pin 2
Piston pin clips 3
NOTE:
Apply engine oil onto the piston pin and pis-
ton.
Be sure that the arrow mark a on the piston
points to the exhaust side of the engine.
Before installing the piston pin clip, cover the
crankcase with a clean rag to prevent the
piston pin clip from falling into the crankcase.
Install the piston pin clips with their ends fac-
ing downward.
4. Lubricate:
Piston
Piston rings
Cylinder
NOTE:
Apply a liberal coating of engine oil.
Cylinder
1. Install:
Dowel pins
O-ring
Gasket 1
Cylinder 2
NOTE:
Install the cylinder with one hand while com-
pressing the piston rings with the other hand.
CAUTION:
Pass the timing chain 3 through the tim-
ing chain cavity.
Be careful not to damage the timing chain
guide 4 during installation.
2. Install:
Bolt (cylinder)
45°
135°135°
a
b ced
3New
New
New
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)

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ENGCLUTCH
CLUTCH
CLUTCH
Extent of removal:1 Push rod and push lever removal2 Push pod 1 disassembly
3 Friction plate and clutch plate removal4 Clutch housing removal
Extent of removal Order Part name Q’ty Remarks
CLUTCH REMOVAL
Preparation for removal Drain the engine oil. Refer to “ENGINE OIL REPLACEMENT”
section in the CHAPTER 3.
Brake pedal Refer to “ENGINE REMOVAL” section.
Clutch cable Disconnect at engine side.
1 Clutch cover 1
2 Gasket 1
3 Dowel pin 2
4 Clutch spring 6
5 Pressure plate 1
6 Push rod 1 1
7 Circlip 1
8 Plain washer 1
9 Bearing 1
10 Ball 1
11Push rod 2
1
41
2
3
1