2008 YAMAHA YZ250F ignition

3-5
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Before riding for break-in operation, practice or a race, make sure the machine is in good operating condition.
Before using this machine, check the following points.
GENERAL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCEItem RoutinePage
Coolant Check that coolant is filled up to the radiator cap. Check the cool-
ing system for leakage. P.3-6 – 7
Fuel Check that a fresh gasoline is filled in the fuel tank. Check the fuel
line for leakage. P.1-8 – 9
Engine oil Check that the oil level is correct. Check the crankcase and oil line
for leakage. P.3-8 – 10
Gear shifter and clutch Check that gears can be shifted correctly in order and that the
clutch operates smoothly. P.3-7
Throttle grip/Housing Check that the throttle grip operation and free play are correctly
adjusted. Lubricate the throttle grip and housing, if necessary. P.3-7 – 8
Brakes Check the play of front brake and effect of front and rear brake. P.3-14 – 16
Drive chain Check drive chain slack and alignment. Check that the drive chain
is lubricated properly. P.3-17
Wheels Check for excessive wear and tire pressure. Check for loose
spokes and have no excessive play. P.3-20
Steering Check that the handlebar can be turned smoothly and have no ex-
cessive play. P.3-20 – 21
Front forks and rear shock
absorber Check that they operate smoothly and there is no oil leakage.
P.3-18 – 20
Cables (wires) Check that the clutch and throttle cables move smoothly. Check
that they are not caught when the handlebars are turned or when
the front forks travel up and down.
—
Exhaust pipe Check that the exhaust pipe is tightly mounted and has no cracks. P.4-3 – 4
Rear wheel sprocket Check that the rear wheel sprocket tightening bolt is not loose. P.3-16 – 17
Lubrication Check for smooth operation. Lubricate if necessary. P.3-22
Bolts and nuts Check the chassis and engine for loose bolts and nuts. P.1-11
Lead connectors Check that the CDI magneto, CDI unit, and ignition coil are con-
nected tightly. P.1-3
Settings Is the machine set suitably for the condition of the racing course
and weather or by taking into account the results of test runs be-
fore racing? Are inspection and maintenance completely done?
P.7-1 – 10

3-10
ENGINE
• Oil hose clamp
9. Install: • Copper washer
• Oil filter element drain bolt
• Crankcase oil drain bolt
• Oil tank drain bolt
• Lower engine guard
10. Fill: • Engine oil
11. Check: • Oil leakage
12. Install: • Oil filler cap
• Washer (oil tank) • Bolt (oil tank)
13. Check: • Engine oil level
CHECKING THE OIL PRESSURE
1. Check: • Oil pressure
Checking steps:
a. Slightly loosen the oil pressure check bolt "1".
b. Start the engine and keep it idling until oil starts to seep from the oil
pressure check bolt. If no oil
comes out after one minute, turn
the engine off so it will not seize.
c. Check oil passages and oil pump for damage or leakage.
d. Start the engine after solving the
problem(s) and recheck the oil
pressure.
e. Tighten the oil pressure check
bolt.
ADJUSTING THE PILOT SCREW
1. Adjust:• Pilot screw "1"
Adjustment steps:
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 number
as the factory-set number of turns
out.
a. Turn in the pilot screw until it is lightly seated.
b. Turn out the pilot screw by the factory-set number of turns.
ADJUSTING THE ENGINE IDLING
SPEED
1. Start the engine and thoroughly warm it up.
2. Adjust: • Engine idling speed
Adjustment steps:
a. Adjust the pilot screw. Refer to "ADJUSTING THE PI-
LOT SCREW" section.
b. Turn the throttle stop screw "1"
until the specified engine idling
speed.
Using a digital engine tachometer for
idle speed adjustment, detect the en-
gine idling speed by bringing the
sensing element "c" of the engine ta-
chometer close to the ignition coil "2".
Oil hose clamp:2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Oil filter element drain
bolt: 10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Crankcase oil drain bolt: 20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Oil tank drain bolt: 18 Nm (1.8 m•kg, 13
ft•lb)
Lower engine guard: 10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Oil quantity: Periodic oil change:1.05 L (0.92 Imp qt,
1.11 US qt)
With oil filter replace-
ment: 1.15 L (1.01 Imp qt,
1.22 US qt)
Total amount:
1.30 L (1.14 Imp qt,
1.37 US qt)Bolt (oil tank): 7 Nm (0.7 m•kg, 5.1
ft•lb)
Oil pressure check bolt: 10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Pilot screw (example): 2-3/8 turns out
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

3-23
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
CHECKING THE SPARK PLUG
1. Remove:• Spark plug
2. Inspect:
• Electrode "1"Wear/damage
→Replace.
• Insulator color "2"
Normal condition is a medium to
light tan color.
Distinctly different color
→Check
the engine condition.
When the engine runs for many hours
at low speeds, the spark plug insula-
tor will become sooty, even if the en-
gine and carburetor are in good
operating condition.
3. Measure: • Plug gap "a"Use a wire gauge or thickness
gauge.
Out of specification
→Regap.
4. Clean the plug with a spark plug cleaner if necessary.
5. Tighten: • Spark plug
• Before installing a spark plug, clean the gasket surface and plug sur-
face.
• Finger-tighten "a" the spark plug before torquing to specification "b".
CHECKING THE IGNITION TIMING
1. Remove:• Timing mark accessing screw "1" 2. Attach:
• Timing light
• Inductive tachometerTo the ignition coil lead (orange
lead"1").
3. Adjust: • Engine idling speedRefer to "ADJUSTING THE EN-
GINE IDLING SPEED" section.
4. Check: • Ignition timing
Visually check the stationary
pointer "a" is within the firing
range "b" on the rotor.
Incorrect firing range
→Check ro-
tor and pickup assembly.
5. Install: • Timing mark accessing screw
Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–
0.031 in)
Spark plug: 13 Nm (1.3 m•kg, 9.4
ft•lb)
Timing light:YM-33277-A/90890-
03141

4-51
ENGINE REMOVAL
ENGINE REMOVAL
REMOVING THE ENGINEOrder Part name Q'ty Remarks Hold the machine by placing the suitable stand
under the frame. Refer to "HANDLING NOTE".
Seat and fuel tank Refer to "SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS" section.
Carburetor Refer to "CARBURETOR" section.
Exhaust pipe and silencer Refer to "EXHAUST PIPE AND SILENCER"
section.
Clutch cable Disconnect at the engine side.
Radiator Refer to "RADIATOR" section.
Shift pedal Refer to "KICK SHAFT AND SHIFT SHAFT"
section.
Cylinder head breather hose Refer to "CAMSHAFTS" section.
Drain the engine oil. Refer to "CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL"
section in the CHAPTER 3.
Oil hose and oil tank breather hose Refer to "OIL PUMP" section.
Ignition coil
Disconnect the CDI magneto lead.
Right engine guard

6-1
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND WIRING DIAGRAM
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS AND
WIRING DIAGRAM
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
1. Engine stop switch
2. Throttle position sensor
3. Neutral switch4. CDI magneto
5. Ignition coil
6. Spark plug7. CDI unit
WIRING DIAGRAM
1. Engine stop switch
2. Throttle position sensor
3. Neutral switch
4. CDI magneto
5. Ignition coil
6. Spark plug
7. CDI unit COLOR CODE
BBlack
Br Brown
GGreen
LBlue
OOrange
PPink
RRed
Sb Sky blue
WWhiteYYellow
B/L Black/Blue
B/W Black/White
B/Y Black/Yellow
G/B Green/Black
L/W Blue/White
R/W Red/White
B/WB/W
B/L
B/Y
SbSb
G/B
LYLY
P
B
B
B
B
G
O
WR
P
GW
R
P
B
Br W
W
B/Y G Br
G
RR
OB
Sb Sb
Y
Y
W Y
W
GG B
P P
Br BrRR
O L
B
Sb Y
LL
B/L
B/W
B/W
G/B
B
B
B/L
L
Sb
B/L
G/B
G/B B/Y
B/Y
B/W O
B/W
BrBrP

6-2
IGNITION SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
INSPECTION STEPS
Use the following steps for checking the possibility of the malfunctioning engine being attributable to ignition system failure
and for checking the spark plug which will not spark.
*marked: Only when the ignition checker is used.
• Remove the following parts before inspection.
1. Seat
2. Fuel tank
• Use the following special tools in this inspection.
Spark gap test Spark→*Clean or replace spark plug.
No spark
↓
Check entire ignition system for connection.
(couplers, leads and ignition coil) No good→Repair or replace.
OK
↓
Check engine stop switch. No good→Replace.
OK
↓
Check ignition coil. (primary coil and secondary
coil) No good→Replace.
OK
↓
Check CDI magneto. (pickup coil and charging
coil) No good→Replace.
OK
↓
Check neutral switch. No good→Repair or replace.
OK
↓
Replace CDI unit.
Dynamic spark tester: YM-34487
Ignition checker: 90890-06754
Pocket tester:
YU-3112-C/90890-03112
6

6-3
IGNITION SYSTEM
SPARK GAP TEST
1. Disconnect the ignition coil from spark plug.
2. Remove the ignition coil cap.
3. Connect the dynamic spark tester
"1" (ignition checker "2") as
shown.
• Ignition coil "3"
• Spark plug "4"
A. For USA and CDN
B. Except for USA and CDN
4. Kick the kickstarter crank.
5. Check the ignition spark gap.
6. Start engine, and increase spark gap until misfire occurs. (for USA
and CDN only)
CHECKING THE COUPLERS,
LEADS AND IGNITION COIL
CONNECTION
1. Check: • Couplers and leads connection
Rust/dust/looseness/short-circuit
→Repair or replace.
• Ignition coil and spark plug as
they are fitted
Push in the ignition coil until it
closely contacts the spark plug
hole in the cylinder head cover.
CHECKING THE ENGINE STOP
SWITCH
1. Inspect: • Engine stop switch conduction Not conductive while it is pushed
→
Replace.
Conductive while it is freed
→Re-
place.
Set the tester selection position to
"
Ω × 1".
CHECKING THE IGNITION COIL
1. Remove the ignition coil cap.
2. Inspect:
• Primary coil resistanceOut of specification
→Replace.
3. Inspect: • Secondary coil resistanceOut of specification
→Replace. 4. Inspect:
• Sealed portion of ignition coil "a"
• Spark plug terminal pin "b"
• Threaded portion of spark plug "c"Wear
→Replace.
CHECKING THE CDI MAGNETO
1. Inspect: • Pickup coil resistanceOut of specification
→Replace.
2. Inspect: • Charging coil 1 resistanceOut of specification
→Replace.
Minimum spark gap:
6.0 mm (0.24 in)
Tester (+) lead
→Black/White
lead "1"
Tester (-) lead
→Black lead "2"
Result
Conductive (while the
engine stop switch is
pushed)
Tester (+) lead
→Orange lead "1"
Tester (-) lead
→Black lead "2"
Primary
coil resis- tance Tester se-
lector posi- tion
0.08–0.10
Ω at 20 °C
(68 °F) Ω × 1
Tester (+) lead
→Orange lead "1"
Tester (-) lead
→Spark plug termi-
nal "2"
Secondary coil resis- tance Tester se-
lector posi- tion
4.6–6.8
k
Ωat 20 °C
(68 °F) kΩ × 1
Tester (+) lead→Red lead "1"
Tester (-) lead
→White lead "2"
Pickup coil resistance Tester se-
lector posi- tion
248-372
Ω
at 20 °C (68 °F)Ω ×100
Tester (+) lead
→Brown lead "1"
Tester (-) lead
→Green lead "2"
Charging
coil 1 resis- tance Tester se-
lector posi- tion
720-1,080
Ω at 20 °C
(68 °F)Ω ×100

6-4
IGNITION SYSTEM
3. Inspect:• Charging coil 2 resistanceOut of specification
→Replace.
CHECKING THE NEUTRAL
SWITCH
1. Inspect: • Neutral switch conduction
Not conductive while it is in neutral
→
Replace.
Conductive while it is engaged
→Re-
place.
Set the tester selection position to
"
Ω × 1".
CHECKING THE CDI UNIT
Check all electrical components. If no
fault is found, replace the CDI unit.
Then check the electrical compo-
nents again. Tester (+) lead
→Pink lead "1"
Tester (-) lead
→Black lead "2"
Charging
coil 2 resis- tance Tester se-
lector posi- tion
44-66
Ω at
20 °C (68
°F)
Ω ×10
Tester (+) lead
→Sky blue lead
"1"
Tester (-) lead
→Ground "2"
Result Conductive (while gear
is in neutral)