2008 YAMAHA WR 450F engine

5-1
RADIATOR
ENGINE
RADIATOR
REMOVING THE RADIATOR
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Drain the coolant.Refer to "CHANGING THE COOLANT" sec-
tion in the CHAPTER 3.
Seat, fuel tank and left side coverRefer to "REMOVING THE SEAT, FUEL
TANK AND SIDE COVERS" section in the
CHAPTER 3.
Exhaust pipeRefer to "REMOVING THE EXHAUST PIPE
AND SILENCER" section in the CHAPTER 3.
1 Radiator guard 2
2 Radiator hose clamp 8
3 Right radiator 1
4 Radiator hose 2 1
5 Radiator hose 3 1
6 Radiator hose 4 1
7 Pipe 2/O-ring 1/1
8 Catch tank hose 1
9 Left radiator 1
10 Radiator hose 1 1
5

5-3
RADIATOR
HANDLING NOTE
Do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine and radiator are
hot. Scalding hot fluid and steam
may be blown out under pressure,
which could cause serious injury.
When the engine has cooled, open
the radiator cap by the following
procedure:
Place a thick rag, like a towel, over
the radiator cap, slowly rotate the
cap counterclockwise to the de-
tent. This procedure allows any re-
sidual pressure to escape. When
the hissing sound has stopped,
press down on the cap while turn-
ing counterclockwise and remove
it.
CHECKING THE RADIATOR
1. Inspect:
• Radiator core "1"
Obstruction→Blow out with com-
pressed air through rear of the ra-
diator.
Bent fin→Repair/replace.
INSTALLING THE RADIATOR
1. Install:
• Pipe 1 "1"
• Radiator hose 1 "2"
• Pipe 2 "3"
• Radiator hose 3 "4"
• Radiator hose 4 "5"2. Install:
• Radiator hose 2 "1"
• Left radiator "2"
3. Install:
• Catch tank hose "1"
• Right radiator "2"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2.
4. Install:
• Radiator guard "1"
First fit the inner hook portion "a" and
then the outer one "b" onto the radia-
tor.
5. Install:
• Catch tank "1"
• Bolt (catch tank) "2"
• Bolt (catch tank) "3"
• Catch tank hose "4"
• Catch tank breather hose "5"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2.
Pipe 1:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Radiator hose 1:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Pipe 2:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Radiator hose 3:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Radiator hose 4:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Radiator hose 2:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Left radiator:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Right radiator:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (catch tank):
7 Nm (0.7 m•kg, 5.1
ft•lb)
Bolt (catch tank):
16 Nm (1.6 m•kg, 11
ft•lb)

5-8
CARBURETOR
HANDLING NOTE
Do not loosen the screw (throttle
position sensor) "1" except when
changing the throttle position sen-
sor due to failure because it will
cause a drop in engine perfor-
mance.
REMOVING THE PILOT SCREW
1. Remove:
• Pilot screw "1"
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.
CHECKING THE CARBURETOR
1. Inspect:
• Carburetor body
Contamination→Clean.
• Use a petroleum based solvent for
cleaning. Blow out all passages and
jets with compressed air.
• Never use a wire.
2. Inspect:
•Main jet "1"
• Pilot jet "2"
• Needle jet "3"
• Starter jet "4"
• Pilot air jet "5"
• Leak jet "6"Damage→Replace.
Contamination→Clean.
• Use a petroleum based solvent for
cleaning. Blow out all passages and
jets with compressed air.
• Never use a wire.
CHECKING THE NEEDLE VALVE
1. Inspect:
• Needle valve "1"
• Valve seat "2"
Grooved wear "a" →Replace.
Dust "b" →Clean.
• Filter "c"
Clogged→Clean.
CHECKING THE THROTTLE
VALVE
1. Check:
• Free movement
Stick→Repair or replace.
Insert the throttle valve "1" into the
carburetor body, and check for free
movement.
CHECKING THE JET NEEDLE
1. Inspect:
• Jet needle "1"
Bends/wear→Replace.
• Clip groove
Free play exists/wear→Replace.
MEASURING AND ADJUSTING
THE FLOAT HEIGHT
1. Measure:
• Float height "a"
Out of specification→Adjust.
Measurement and adjustment
steps:
a. Hold the carburetor in an upside
down position.
• Slowly tilt the carburetor in the op-
posite direction, then take the mea-
surement when the needle valve
aligns with the float arm.
• If the carburetor is level, the weight
of the float will push in the needle
valve, resulting in an incorrect mea-
surement.
b. Measure the distance between
the mating surface of the float
chamber and top of the float using
a vernier calipers.
The float arm should be resting on the
needle valve, but not compressing
the needle valve.
c. If the float height is not within
specification, inspect the valve
seat and needle valve.
d. If either is worn, replace them
both.
Float height:
8.0 mm (0.31 in)

5-15
CAMSHAFTS
CAMSHAFTS
REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Seat and fuel tank Refer to "REMOVING THE SEAT, FUEL
TANK AND SIDE COVERS" section in the
CHAPTER 3.
Air cut-off valve assembly Refer to "AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM" section.
Engine upper bracket (right) Refer to "ENGINE REMOVAL" section.
Engine upper bracket (left)
1 Spark plug 1
2 Cylinder head breather hose 1
3 Bolt (cylinder head cover) 2
4 Cylinder head cover 1
5 Cylinder head cover gasket 1

5-18
CAMSHAFTS
Measurement steps:
a. Install the camshaft onto the cylin-
der head.
b. Position a strip of Plastigauge
®
"1" onto the camshaft.
c. Install the clip, dowel pins and
camshaft caps.
• Tighten the bolts (camshaft cap) in
a crisscross pattern from innermost
to outer caps.
• Do not turn the camshaft when
measuring clearance with the Plas-
tigauge
®.
d. Remove the camshaft caps and
measure the width of the Plasti-
gauge
® "1".
5. Measure:
• Camshaft outside diameter "a"
Out of specification→Replace the
camshaft.
Within specification→Replace
camshaft case and camshaft
caps as a set.CHECKING THE CAMSHAFT
SPROCKET
1. Inspect:
• Camshaft sprocket "1"
Wear/damage→Replace the
camshaft assembly and timing
chain as a set.
CHECKING THE
DECOMPRESSION SYSTEM
1. Check:
• Decompression system
Checking steps:
a. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam "1" moves
smoothly.
b. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam lever pin "2"
projects from the camshaft.
CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN
TENSIONER
1. Check:
• While pressing the tensioner rod
lightly with fingers, use a thin
screwdriver "1" and wind the ten-
sioner 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 as-
sembly.INSTALLING THE CAMSHAFT
1. Install:
• Exhaust camshaft "1"
• Intake camshaft "2"
Installation steps:
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclock-
wise with a wrench.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the camshafts.
• Apply the engine oil on the decom-
pression system.
b. Align the T.D.C. mark "a" on the
rotor with the align mark "b" on the
crankcase cover when piston is at
T.D.C. on compression stroke.
c. Fit the timing chain "3" onto both
camshaft sprockets and install the
camshafts on the cylinder head.
The camshafts should be installed
onto the cylinder head so that the
punch mark "c" on the exhaust cam-
shaft and the punch mark "d" on the
intake camshaft must align with the
cylinder head surface, as shown in
the illustration.
Camshaft-to-cap clear-
ance:
0.028–0.062 mm
(0.0011–0.0024 in)
:0.08 mm (0.003
in)
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Camshaft outside diame-
ter:
21.959–21.972 mm
(0.8645–0.8650 in)

5-26
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
CHECKING THE VALVE SPRINGS
1. Measure:
• Valve spring free length "a"
Out of specification→Replace.
2. Measure:
• Compressed spring force "a"
Out of specification→Replace.
b. Installed length
3. Measure:
• Spring tilt "a"
Out of specification→Replace.CHECKING THE VALVE LIFTERS
1. Inspect:
• Valve lifter
Scratches/damage→Replace
both lifters and cylinder head.
INSTALLING THE VALVES
1. Apply:
• Molybdenum disulfide oil
Onto the valve stem and valve
stem seal.
2. Install:
• Valves "1"
• Valve spring seats "2"
• Valve stem seals "3"
• Valve springs "4"
• Valve spring retainers "5"
• Make sure that each valve is in-
stalled in its original place, also re-
ferring to the painted color as
follows.
Intake (middle) "a": blue
Intake (right/left) "b": gray
Exhaust "c": brown
• Install the valve springs with the
larger pitch "d" facing upward.
e. Smaller pitch3. Install:
• Valve cotters
While compressing the valve spring
with a valve spring compressor "1" in-
stall the valve cotters.
4. To secure the valve cotters onto
the valve stem, lightly tap the
valve tip with a piece of wood.
Hitting the valve tip with excessive
force could damage the valve.
5. Install:
• Adjusting pad "1"
• Valve lifter "2"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the valve stem end.
• Apply the engine oil on the valve lift-
ers.
• Valve lifter must turn smoothly
when rotated with a finger.
• Be careful to reinstall valve lifters
and pads in their original place.
Free length (valve
spring):
Intake:
39.46 mm (1.55 in)
: 38.46 mm
(1.51 in)
Exhaust:
37.61 mm (1.48 in)
: 36.61 mm
(1.44 in)
Compressed spring
force:
Intake:
130.2–149.8 N at 27.87
mm (13.28–15.28 kg at
27.87 mm, 29.27–
33.68 lb at 1.10 in)
Exhaust:
123.1–141.7 N at 28.38
mm (12.55–14.45 kg at
28.38 mm, 27.67–
31.85 lb at 1.12 in)
Spring tilt limit:
Intake:
2.5°/1.7 mm (0.067 in)
Exhaust:
2.5°/1.6 mm (0.063 in)
Valve spring compres-
sor:
YM-4019/90890-04019

5-29
CYLINDER AND PISTON
3. Measure:
• Ring end gap
Out of specification→Replace.
You cannot measure the end gap on
the expander spacer of the oil control
ring. If the oil control ring rails show
excessive gap, replace all three rings.
CHECKING THE PISTON PIN
1. Inspect:
• Piston pin
Blue discoloration/grooves→Re-
place, then inspect the lubrication
system.
2. Measure:
• Piston pin-to-piston clearance
Measurement steps:
a. Measure the outside diameter
(piston pin) "a".
If out of specification, replace the
piston pin.
b. Measure the inside diameter (pis-
ton) "b".c. Calculate the piston pin-to-piston
clearance with the following for-
mula.
d. If out of specification, replace the
piston.
INSTALLING THE PISTON RING
AND PISTON
1. Install:
•Piston ring
Onto the piston.
• 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.
2. Position:
•Top ring
• 2nd ring
• Oil ring
Offset the piston ring end gaps as
shown.
a. Top ring end
b. 2nd ring end
c. Oil ring end (upper)
d. Oil ring
e. Oil ring end (lower)
3. Install:
•Piston "1"
• Piston pin "2"
• Piston pin clip "3"
• Apply engine oil onto the piston pin
and piston.
• 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 facing downward.
INSTALLING THE CYLINDER
1. Install:
• Dowel pins
• Cylinder gasket "1"
• Cylinder "2"
Install the cylinder with one hand
while compressing the piston rings
with the other hand.
• Pass the timing chain "3"
through the timing chain cavity.
• Be careful not to damage the tim-
ing chain guide "4" during instal-
lation.
2. Install:
• Bolt (cylinder) End gap:
Standard
Top
ring0.20–0.30
mm (0.008–
0.012 in)0.55 mm
(0.022 in)
2nd
ring0.35–0.50
mm (0.014–
0.020 in)0.85 mm
(0.033 in)
Oil
ring0.20–0.50
mm (0.01–
0.02 in)—
Outside diameter (piston
pin):
17.991–18.000 mm
(0.7083–0.7087 in)
Inside diameter (piston):
18.004–18.015 mm
(0.7088–0.7093 in)
Piston pin-to-piston clearance =
Inside diameter (piston) "b" -
Outside diameter (piston pin)
"a"
Piston pin-to-piston
clearance:
0.004–0.024 mm
(0.00016–0.00094 in)
:0.07 mm (0.003
in)
Bolt (cylinder):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
New

5-30
CLUTCH
CLUTCH
REMOVING THE CLUTCH
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Drain the engine oil. Refer to "CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL"
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 Washer 1
9 Bearing 1
10 Ball 1
11 Push rod 2 1
12 Clutch plate 7
13 Friction plate 8