2003 YAMAHA YZF-R6 Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-8
6 To install the panel
1. Fit the tabs on the panel into the
slots and slide it backward.
2. Install the bolts.
EAU01639
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
they should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of each spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal col-
or when the motorcycle is ridden nor-
mally), and all spark plugs installed in
the engine should have the same color.
If any spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be defec-
tive. Do not attempt to diagnose such
problems yourself. Instead, have a
Yamaha dealer check the motorcycle.
If a spark plug shows signs of electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or other
deposits, it should be replaced.
1. Tab (× 2)
2. Slot (× 2)
Specified spark plug:
CR9EK, CR10EK (NGK)
U5SLE0.book Page 8 Wednesday, September 11, 2002 11:46 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
6Before installing a spark plug, the spark
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and, if necessary,
adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads.
NOTE:
@
If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-
fied torque as soon as possible. @
ECA00021
CAUTION:@ Do not use any tools to remove or
install the spark plug cap, otherwise
the ignition coil coupler may get
damaged. The spark plug cap may
be difficult to remove because the
rubber seal on the end of the cap fits
tightly. To remove the spark plug
cap, simply twist it back and forth
while pulling it out; to install it, twist
it back and forth while pushing it in. @
EAU04941
Engine oil and oil filter
cartridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:_ Make sure that the motorcycle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking the oil
level. A slight tilt to the side can result in
a false reading. _2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles.
a. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf)
U5SLE0.book Page 9 Wednesday, September 11, 2002 11:46 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6 4. Remove the engine oil dipstick
and wipe it clean, insert it back into
the hole (without screwing it in),
and then remove it again to check
the oil level.
NOTE:_ The engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks. _
5. If the engine oil is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove the
oil filler cap, and then add suffi-
cient oil of the recommended type
to raise it to the correct level.
6. Insert and tighten the engine oil
dipstick, and then install and tight-
en the oil filler cap.To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
2. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.
1. Engine oil dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level markRight side
1. Engine oil filler cap
U5SLE0.book Page 10 Wednesday, September 11, 2002 11:46 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-11
63. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:_ Skip steps 4–10 if the oil filter cartridge
is not being replaced. _
4. Remove the coolant reservoir cov-
er by removing the bolts.
5. Remove cowling B. (See page 6-5
for cowling removal and installa-
tion procedures.)6. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.
NOTE:_ An oil filter wrench is available at a
Yamaha dealer. _
1. Engine oil drain boltLeft side
1. Coolant reservoir cover
2. Bolt (× 2)
1. Oil filter wrench
2. Oil filter cartridge
U5SLE0.book Page 11 Wednesday, September 11, 2002 11:46 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-12
6 7. Apply a thin coat of engine oil to
the O-ring of the new oil filter car-
tridge.
NOTE:_ Make sure that the O-ring is properly
seated. _
8. Install the new oil filter cartridge
with an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
9. Install the cowling.
10. Install the coolant reservoir cover
by installing the bolts.
11. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.
NOTE:_ Check the washer for damage and re-
place it if necessary. _12. Add the specified amount of the
recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
1. O-ring
1. Torque wrenchTightening torque:
Oil filter cartridge:
17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf)
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge
replacement:
2.4 L
With oil filter cartridge
replacement:
2.6 L
Total amount (dry engine):
3.4 L
U5SLE0.book Page 12 Wednesday, September 11, 2002 11:46 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-13
6
ECA00133
CAUTION:_

In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a
higher quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
_13. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking,
immediately turn the engine off
and check for the cause.NOTE:_ After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient. _
EC000067
CAUTION:_ If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha deal-
er check the vehicle. _14. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
EAU04945
Coolant The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
To check the coolant level
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.NOTE:_

The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.


Make sure that the motorcycle is
positioned straight up when
checking the coolant level. A slight
tilt to the side can result in a false
reading.
_
U5SLE0.book Page 13 Wednesday, September 11, 2002 11:46 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-14
6 2. Check the coolant level in the
coolant reservoir.
NOTE:_ The coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks. _
3. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir cover by remov-
ing the bolts, remove the reservoir
cap, and then add coolant to the
maximum level mark.
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level markLeft side
1. Coolant reservoir cover
2. Bolt (× 2)Coolant reservoir capacity
(up to the maximum level mark):
0.25 L
1. Coolant reservoir cap
U5SLE0.book Page 14 Wednesday, September 11, 2002 11:46 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-15
6
EC000080
CAUTION:_

If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water
or salt water since it is harmful
to the engine.


If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the engine may not be
sufficiently cooled and the cool-
ing system will not be protected
against frost and corrosion.


If water has been added to the
coolant, have a Yamaha dealer
check the antifreeze content of
the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of
the coolant will be reduced.
_
EW000067
WARNING
_ Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap when the engine is hot. _4. Install the reservoir cap, and then
install the coolant reservoir cover
by installing the bolts.NOTE:_

The radiator fan is automatically
switched on or off according to the
coolant temperature in the radia-
tor.


If the engine overheats, see page
6-53 for further instructions.
_
EAU04970
To change the coolant
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and let the engine cool if
necessary.
2. Remove panel A and cowling A.
(See pages 6-5–6-8 for panel and
cowling removal and installation
procedures.)
3. Place a container under the en-
gine to collect the used coolant.
U5SLE0.book Page 15 Wednesday, September 11, 2002 11:46 AM