2008 YAMAHA YFZ450 engine oil

8-15
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Start the engine, warm it up until the engine oil
has reached a normal temperature of 40 °C
(104 °F), let it continue to idle for ten seconds
or more, and then turn the engine off.
NOTE:

To achieve the proper engine oil temperature for
an accurate oil level reading, the engine must have
first completely cooled down, and then warmed up
again for several minutes to normal operating tem-
perature.
3. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap, wipe the
dipstick off with a clean rag.
4. Insert the dipstick into the filler 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, add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type through the engine oil tank filler
hole to raise it to the correct level.
1. Engine oil tank filler cap
2. Dipstick
3. Engine oil tank
4. Engine oil filler cap
5. Maximum level mark
6. Minimum level mark
4 3 1 1
2
5
6

8-16
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11
NOTE:

When adding oil, be careful not to overfill the en-
gine oil tank; the oil level rises faster starting from
the half-level-portion on the dipstick.
6. Insert the dipstick into the engine oil tank filler
hole, and then tighten the engine oil tank filler
cap.
CAUTION:

ECB00360
Make sure that the engine oil tank filler cap is
securely tightened, otherwise oil may seep out
when the engine is running.
To change the engine oil (with or without oil
filter element replacement)
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the engine guard by removing the
bolts.3. Start the engine, warm it up for several min-
utes, and then turn it off.
4. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect
the used oil.
5. Remove the crankcase engine oil filler cap
and the crankcase engine oil drain bolt.
1. Engine guard
2. Bolt
1
2

8-17
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

6. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap and the
engine oil tank drain bolt.7. Check the washers for damage, and replace if
necessary.NOTE:

Skip steps 8–11 if the oil filter element is not being
replaced.
8. Remove the oil filter element cover by remov-
ing the bolts, and then remove the oil filter el-
ement.
1. Crankcase engine oil drain bolt
1

1. Engine oil tank drain bolt
1

8-19
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

12. Install the crankcase engine oil drain bolt and
the engine oil tank drain bolt, and then tighten
them to the specified torques.
13. Pour the specified amount of the recommend-
ed engine oil through the engine oil tank filler
hole, and then install and tighten the engine oil
tank filler cap.
14. Pour the specified amount of the recommend-
ed engine oil through the crankcase engine oil
filler hole, and then install and tighten the
crankcase engine oil filler cap.NOTE:

Be sure to wipe off spilled oil on any parts after the
engine and exhaust system have cooled down.CAUTION:

ECB00300

In order to prevent clutch slippage (since the
engine oil also lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do not use oils
with a diesel specification of “CD” or oils of
a higher quality than specified. In addition,
Tightening torques:
Crankcase engine oil drain bolt:
20 Nm (2.0 m·kgf, 14 ft·lbf)
Engine oil tank drain bolt:
19 Nm (1.9 m·kgf, 14 ft·lbf)
Recommended oil:
See page 10-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter element replacement:
Quantity in oil tank:
1.55 L (1.64 US qt) (1.36 Imp.qt)
Quantity in crankcase:
0.20 L (0.21 US qt) (0.18 Imp.qt)
With oil filter element replacement:
Quantity in oil tank:
1.55 L (1.64 US qt) (1.36 Imp.qt)
Quantity in crankcase:
0.30 L (0.32 US qt) (0.26 Imp.qt)

8-20
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

do not use oils labeled “ENERGY CONSERV-
ING II” or higher.

Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.
15. 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.
16. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil lev-
el and correct it if necessary.
17. Install the engine guard by installing the bolts,
and then tighten them to the specified torque.
CAUTION:

ECB00370
Be sure to apply LOCTITE® to the engine
guard bolts before installing them.
EBU23470
Coolant
The coolant level should be checked before each
ride. In addition, the coolant must be changed atthe intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EBU23490
To check the coolant level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
NOTE:

The coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.
2. Check the coolant level in the coolant reser-
voir.
NOTE:

The coolant should be between the minimum and
maximum level marks. Tightening torque:
Engine guard bolt:
7 Nm (0.7 m·kgf, 5.1 ft·lbf)

8-26
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

7. Wash the sponge material gently but thor-
oughly in solvent.
WARNING

EWB01940
Always use parts cleaning solvent to clean the
sponge material. Never use low-flash-point
solvents or gasoline to clean the sponge mate-
rial because the engine could catch fire or ex-
plode.
8. Squeeze the excess solvent out of the sponge
material and let it dry.CAUTION:

ECB00440
Do not twist the sponge material when squeez-
ing it.
9. Check the sponge material and replace it if
damaged.
10. Apply a quality foam air filter oil to the sponge
material.
NOTE:

The sponge material should be wet but not drip-
ping.
11. Pull the sponge material over the air filter ele-
ment frame.
1. Sponge material
2. Air filter element frame
1 2

8-41
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

EBU24880
Lubricating the drive chain
The drive chain must be cleaned and lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or wet areas.
Service the drive chain as follows.
CAUTION:

ECB00560
The drive chain must be lubricated after wash-
ing the ATV or riding in the rain.
1. Clean the drive chain with kerosene and asmall soft brush.
CAUTION:

ECB00570
To prevent damaging the O-rings, do not clean
the drive chain with steam cleaners, high-pres-
sure washers or inappropriate solvents.
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a
special O-ring chain lubricant.
CAUTION:

ECB00580
Do not use engine oil or any other lubricants
for the drive chain, as they may contain sub-
stances that could damage the O-rings.
EBU24900
Checking and lubricating the cables
The operation and the condition of all control ca-
bles should be checked before each ride, and the
cables and cable ends should be lubricated if nec-
essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
1. O-rings
1

Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil

9-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
89
10
11

increasing the chance of an accident. Test the
brakes after washing. Apply the brakes several
times at slow speeds to let friction dry out the
linings.
EBU25932
Storage
Short-term
Always store your ATV in a cool, dry place and, if
necessary, protect it against dust with a porous
cover.
CAUTION:

ECB00720

Storing the ATV in a poorly ventilated room
or covering it with a tarp while it is still wet,
will allow water and humidity to seep in and
cause rust.

To prevent corrosion, avoid damp cellars,
stables (because of the presence of ammo-
nia) and areas where strong chemicals are
stored.
Long-term
Before storing your ATV for several months:
1. Follow all the instructions in the “Cleaning”section of this chapter.
2. Turn the fuel cock lever to “OFF”.
3. Drain the carburetor float chamber by loosen-
ing the drain bolt; this will prevent fuel deposits
from building up. Pour the drained fuel into the
fuel tank.
4. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel stabilizer (if
available) to prevent the fuel from deteriorat-
ing.
5. Perform the following steps to protect the cyl-
inder, piston rings, etc. from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug cap and spark
plug.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into the
spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug cap onto the spark
plug, and then place the spark plug on the
cylinder head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit sparking during
the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times with
the starter. (This will coat the cylinder wall Specified amount:
7.5 ml of stabilizer to each liter of fuel (or 1 oz
of stabilizer to each gallon of fuel)