2008 YAMAHA YZ250F radiator

2-19
CABLE ROUTING DIAGRAM
F. Pass the clutch cable in front of the radiator mounting boss.
G. Pass the fuel hose between the hot starter cable and throttle po-
sition sensor lead.
H. Pass the carburetor breater hos- es so that they are not pinched
between the upper engine
bracket and carburetor.
I. Pass the carburetor breather
hoses and overflow hose so that
all there hoses do not contact
the rear shock absorber.

2-20
CABLE ROUTING DIAGRAM
1. Hot starter cable
2. Radiator hose 2
3. Clamp
4. Ignition coil lead
5. Throttle position sensor lead
6. Hump (frame)
7. Oil hose
8. Hose guide
9. Neutral switch lead
10. CDI magneto lead
11. Clutch cable12. Radiator breather hose
13. Engine stop switch lead
14. Sub-wire harness
15. CDI unit bracket
16. CDI unit
17. Throttle cable
18. Cylinder head breather hose
A. Fasten the hot starter cable,
throttle cables, throttle position
sensor lead and ignition coil
lead. B. Fasten the throttle position sen-
sor lead behind the hump of the
frame.
C. Fasten the neutral switch lead on the oil hose.
D. Pass the neutral switch lead on the inside of the oil hose.
E. Fasten the neutral switch lead,
CDI magneto lead and radiator
breather hose.

2-21
CABLE ROUTING DIAGRAM
F. Fasten the neutral switch lead, CDI magneto lead, radiator
breather hose and clutch cable
over the radiator mounting boss.
G. Pass the radiator breather hose in front of the radiator, on the left
of the chassis, and then be-
tween the frame and radiator
hose 4.
H. Fasten the sub-wire harness
and engine stop switch lead to
the CDI unit bracket at the white-
taped portion of the subwire har-
ness and with the clamp ends
facing downward.
I. Locate the clamp ends in the ar-
rowed range.
J. Fasten the neutral switch lead and CDI magneto lead over the
hump of the frame.
K. Fasten the hot starter cable and throttle cable onto the frame. Lo-
cate the clamp ends under the
hot starter cable.

2-22
CABLE ROUTING DIAGRAM
1. Throttle cable (pull)
2. Throttle cable (return)
3. Radiator hose 2
4. Ignition coil
5. Cylinder head breather hose
6. Clamp
7. Rear arm bracket
A. Pass the throttle cables over the radiator hose 2. B. Pass the cylinder head breather
hose so that it does not contact
the ignition coil.
C. Fasten the throttle cables with the clamp so that the cables are
not bent, and pass them under
the rear arm bracket.

3-2
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
CYLINDERInspect and clean
●Inspect score marks.
Replace
●Inspect wear.
CLUTCH Inspect and adjust
●●Inspect housing, friction plate, clutch
plate and spring.
Replace
●
TRANSMISSION Inspect
●
Replace bearing●
SHIFT FORK, SHIFT CAM,
GUIDE BARInspect
●Inspect wear.
ROTOR NUT Retighten
●●
EXHAUST PIPE, SILENCER,
PROTECTORInspect and retighten
●●
Clean●
Replace●* Whichever comes first
CRANK Inspect and clean
●●
CARBURETORInspect, adjust and clean
●●
SPARK PLUGInspect and clean
●●
Replace●
DRIVE CHAIN Use chain lube.
Lubricate, slack, alignment
●●Chain slack: 48–58 mm (1.9–2.3 in)
Replace
●
COOLING SYSTEM Check coolant level and leakage
●●
Check radiator cap operation●
Replace coolant●Every two years
Inspect hoses
●
OUTSIDE NUTS AND BOLTS Retighten
●●Refer to "STARTING AND BREAK-
IN" section in the CHAPTER 1.
AIR FILTER Clean and lubricate
●●Use foam air-filter oil or equivalent oil.
Replace
●
OIL FILTER Replace
●●
Item After
break-
in Every
race
Every third
(or 500 km) Every
fifth (or 1,000 km)
As re-
quired Remarks

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

3-6
ENGINE
ENGINE
CHECKING THE COOLANT LEVEL
Do not remove the radiator cap
"1", drain bolt and hoses when the
engine and radiator are hot. Scald-
ing hot fluid and steam may be
blown out under pressure, which
could cause serious injury. When
the engine has cooled, place a
thick towel over the radiator cap,
slowly rotate the cap counter-
clockwise to the detent. This pro-
cedure allows any residual
pressure to escape. When the
hissing sound has stopped, press
down on the cap while turning
counterclockwise and remove it.
Hard water or salt water is harmful
to the engine parts. You may use
distilled water, if you can't get soft
water.
1. Place the machine on a level place, and hold it in an upright po-
sition.
2. Remove: • Radiator cap
3. Check: • Coolant level "a"Coolant level low
→Add coolant.
1. Radiator
CHANGING THE COOLANT
Do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine is hot.
Take care so that coolant does not
splash on painted surfaces. If it
splashes, wash it away with water.
1. Place a container under the en- gine.
2. Remove: • Coolant drain bolt "1"
3. Remove: •Radiator capDrain the coolant completely.
4. Clean:
• Cooling systemThoroughly flush the cooling sys-
tem with clean tap water.
5. Install: • Copper washer
• Coolant drain bolt
6. Fill: •Radiator
•EngineTo specified level.
• Do not mix more than one type of ethylene glycol antifreeze con-
taining corrosion inhibitors for
aluminum engine.
• Do not use water containing im-
purities or oil.
Handling notes of coolant:
The coolant is harmful so it should be
handled with special care.
• When coolant splashes to your eye.
Thoroughly wash your eye with
water and see your doctor.
• When coolant splashes to your
clothes.
Quickly wash it away with water
and then with soap.
• When coolant is swallowed. Quickly make him vomit and take
him to a doctor.
7. Install:•Radiator capStart the engine and warm it up
for a several minutes.
8. Check:
• Coolant levelCoolant level low
→Add coolant.
CHECKING THE RADIATOR CAP
1. Inspect: • Seal (radiator cap) "1"
• Valve and valve seat "2"
Crack/damage
→Replace.
Exist fur deposits "3"
→Clean or
replace.
CHECKING THE RADIATOR CAP
OPENING PRESSURE
1. Attach: • Radiator cap tester "1" and adapt-
er "2"
Apply water on the radiator cap seal.
3. Radiator cap
Coolant drain bolt: 10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Recommended coolant: High quality ethylene
glycol anti-freeze con-
taining anti-corrosion
for aluminum engine
Coolant "1" and water
(soft water) "2" mixing ra-
tio: 50%/50%
Coolant capacity:
0.99 L (0.87 Imp qt, 1.05
US qt)
Radiator cap tester:YU-24460-01/90890-
01325
Radiator cap tester
adapter: YU-33984/90890-01352

3-7
ENGINE
2. Apply the specified pressure.
3. Inspect:•PressureImpossible to maintain the speci-
fied pressure for 10 seconds
→
Replace.
CHECKING THE COOLING
SYSTEM
1. Inspect: • Coolant level
2. Attach: • Radiator cap tester "1" and adapt-
er "2"
3. Apply the specified pressure.
ΠDo not apply pressure more than
specified pressure.
• Radiator should be filled fully.
4. Inspect: •Pressure
Impossible to maintain the speci-
fied pressure for 10 seconds
→
Repair.
• Radiator "1"
• Radiator hose joint "2" Coolant leakage
→Repair or re-
place.
• Radiator hose "3" Swelling
→Replace. ADJUSTING THE CLUTCH CABLE
FREE PLAY
1. Check:
• Clutch lever free play "a"
Out of specification
→Adjust.
2. Adjust: • Clutch lever free play
Clutch lever free play adjustment
steps:
a. Loosen the locknuts "1".
b. Turn the adjuster "2" until free play "a" is within the specified lim-
its.
c. Tighten the locknuts.
ΠBefore adjustment, expose the ad-
juster by moving the boot "3" and
cap "4" away.
• Make minute adjustment on the le- ver side using the adjuster "5".
• After adjustment, check proper op-
eration of clutch lever.
3. Install:•Cap "1"
•Boot "2"
Place the tip "a" of the cap in the boot.
ADJUSTING THE THROTTLE
CABLE FREE PLAY
1. Check:• Throttle grip free play "a"
Out of specification
→Adjust.
2. Adjust: • Throttle grip free play
Throttle grip free play adjustment
steps:
a. Slide the adjuster cover.
b. Loosen the locknut "1".
c. Turn the adjuster "2" until the specified free play is obtained.
d. Tighten the locknut.
Before adjusting the throttle cable
free play, the engine idle speed
should be adjusted.
After adjusting the throttle cable
free play, start the engine and turn
the handlebar to right and left and
make sure that the engine idling
does not run faster.
LUBRICATING THE THROTTLE
1. Remove: • Cover (throttle cable cap) "1"
• Cover (grip cap) "2"
• Throttle grip cap "3"
Radiator cap opening
pressure:
110 kPa (1.1 kg/cm
2,
15.6 psi)
Radiator cap tester: YU-24460-01/90890-
01325
Radiator cap tester
adapter: YU-33984/90890-01352
Standard pressure: 180 kPa (1.8 kg/cm
2,
25.6 psi)
Clutch lever free play "a"
: 8–13 mm (0.31–0.51 in)
Locknut: 4 Nm (0.4 m•kg, 2.9
ft•lb)Throttle grip free play
"a":3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
Locknut: 4 Nm (0.4 m•kg, 2.9
ft•lb)