2008 YAMAHA YZ250F check engine

3-18
CHASSIS
CHECKING THE FRONT FORK
1. Inspect:• Front fork smooth actionOperate the front brake and
stroke the front fork.
Unsmooth action/oil leakage
→
Repair or replace.
CLEANING THE FRONT FORK OIL
SEAL AND DUST SEAL
1. Remove: •Protector
• Dust seal "1"
Use a thin screw driver, and be care-
ful not to damage the inner fork tube
and dust seal.
2. Clean:• Dust seal "a"
•Oil seal "b"
•Clean the dust seal and oil seal af-
ter every run.
• Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the inner tube.
RELIEVING THE FRONT FORK
INTERNAL PRESSURE
If the front fork initial movement feels
stiff during a run, relieve the front fork
internal pressure.
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing a suitable stand under the engine.
2. Remove the air bleed screw "1" and release the internal pressure
from the front fork.
3. Install: • Air bleed screw
ADJUSTING THE FRONT FORK
REBOUND DAMPING FORCE
1. Adjust: • Rebound damping force
By turning the adjuster "1".
• STANDARD POSITION: This is the position which is back
by the specific number of clicks
from the fully turned-in position.
Do not force the adjuster past the
minimum or maximum extent of
adjustment. The adjuster may be
damaged.
Always adjust each front fork to
the same setting. Uneven adjust-
ment can cause poor handling and
loss of stability.
ADJUSTING THE FRONT FORK
COMPRESSION DAMPING FORCE
1. Adjust:• Compression damping force
By turning the adjuster "1".
• STANDARD POSITION: This is the position which is back
by the specific number of clicks
from the fully turned-in position.
Do not force the adjuster past the
minimum or maximum extent of
adjustment. The adjuster may be
damaged.
Always adjust each front fork to
the same setting. Uneven adjust-
ment can cause poor handling and
loss of stability.
CHECKING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER
1. Inspect:• Swingarm smooth action
Abnormal noise/unsmooth action
→Grease the pivoting points or
repair the pivoting points.
Damage/oil leakage
→Replace.
Air bleed screw:
1 Nm (0.1 m•kg, 0.7
ft•lb)
Stiffer "a"
→Increase the re-
bound damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" in.)
Softer "b"
→Decrease the re-
bound damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" out.)
Extent of adjustment:
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position 20 clicks out
(from maximum
position)
Standard position: 11 clicks out
* 10 clicks out
* For EUROPE
Stiffer "a" →Increase the com-
pression damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" in.)
Softer "b"
→Decrease the com-
pression damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" out.)
Extent of adjustment:
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position 20 clicks out
(from maximum
position)
Standard position: 9 clicks out
* 10 clicks out
* For EUROPE

3-20
CHASSIS
• STANDARD POSITION:This is the position which is back
by the specific number of clicks
from the fully turned-in position.
(Which align the punch mark "a"
on the adjuster with the punch
mark "b" on the high compression
damping adjuster.)
Do not force the adjuster past the
minimum or maximum extent of
adjustment. The adjuster may be
damaged.
ADJUSTING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER HIGH COMPRESSION
DAMPING FORCE
1. Adjust:• High compression damping force
By turning the adjuster "1".
• STANDARD POSITION: This is the position which is back
by the specific number of turns
from the fully turned-in position.
(Which align the punch mark "a"
on the adjuster with the punch
mark "b" on the adjuster body.)
Do not force the adjuster past the
minimum or maximum extent of
adjustment. The adjuster may be
damaged.
CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE
1. Measure:
• Tire pressureOut of specification
→Adjust.
•Check the tire while it is cold.
• Loose bead stoppers allow the tire
to slip off its position on the rim
when the tire pressure is low.
• A tilted tire valve stem indicates that
the tire slips off its position on the
rim.
• If the tire valve stem is found tilted,
the tire is considered to be slipping
off its position. Correct the tire posi-
tion.
CHECKING AND TIGHTENING THE
SPOKES
1. Inspect:• Spokes "1"Bend/damage
→Replace.
Loose spoke
→Retighten.
2. Tighten: •Spokes
Be sure to retighten these spokes be-
fore and after break-in. After a prac-
tice or a race check spokes for
looseness.
CHECKING THE WHEELS
1. Inspect:
• Wheel runoutElevate the wheel and turn it.
Abnormal runout
→ Replace.
2. Inspect: • Bearing free play
Exist play
→Replace.
CHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE
STEERING HEAD
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing a suitable stand under the engine.
2. Check:
• Steering stemGrasp the bottom of the forks and
gently rock the fork assembly
back and forth.
Free play
→Adjust steering head.
Standard position:
About 8 clicks out
Stiffer "a"
→Increase the high
compression damping force.
(Turn the adjuster "1" in.)
Softer "b"
→Decrease the high
compression damping force.
(Turn the adjuster "1" out.)
Extent of adjustment:
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position 2 turns out
(from maximum
position)
Standard position:
About 1-1/2 turns out
Standard tire pressure: 100 kPa (1.0 kgf/cm
2,
15 psi)
Spokes: 3 Nm (0.3 m•kg, 2.2
ft•lb)

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

4-6
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: • O-ring "1"
• Radiator pipe 1 "2"
• Bolt (radiator pipe) "3"
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.
2. Install:• Radiator breather hose "1"
• Radiator hose 2 "2"
• Radiator hose 3 "3"
• Radiator hose 4 "4"
To right radiator "5". 3. Install:
• Right radiator "1"
• Bolt (right radiator) "2"
• Radiator hose 3 "3"Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2.
4. Install: • Left radiator "1"
• Bolt (left radiator) "2"
• Radiator hose 1 "3"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2.
5. Tighten: • Radiator hose clamp "4"
6. Install: • Radiator guard "1"
First fit the inner hook portion "a" and
then the outer one "b" onto the radia-
tor.
Bolt (radiator pipe): 10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (right radiator):10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (left radiator): 10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Radiator hose 1: 2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Radiator hose clamp: 2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)

4-10
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 bodyContamination
→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 movementStick
→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.
• Clip position 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.
e. If both are fine, adjust the float height by bending the float tab "b"
on the float.
Standard clip position:No.5 Groove
Float height:
8.0 mm (0.31 in)

4-17
CAMSHAFTS
4. Measure:• Camshaft-to-cap clearanceOut of specification
→Measure
camshaft outside diameter.
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.
• Squeezing the decompression le- ver allows the crankshaft to be
turned easily.
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.
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)

4-24
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
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 lifterScratches/damage
→Replace
both lifters and cylinder head. INSTALLING THE VALVES
1. Apply:
• Molybdenum disulfide oilOnto the valve stem and valve
stem seal.
2. Install: •Valve "1"
• Valve spring seat "2"
• Valve stem seal "3"
• Valve spring "4"
• Valve spring retainer "5"
To cylinder head.
• Make sure that each valve is in-stalled in its original place, also re-
ferring to the painted color as
follows.
Intake (middle) "a": Orange
Intake (right/left) "b": Green
Exhaust "c": Purple
• Install the valve springs with the
larger pitch "d" facing upward.
e. Smaller pitch
3. Install:
• Valve cotter
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.
Compressed spring
force: Intake:99–114 N at 29.13 mm
(9.9–11.4 kg at 29.13
mm, 22.27–25.57 lb at
1.15 in)
Exhaust:
126–144 N at 29.30
mm (12.6–14.4 kg at
29.30 mm, 28.44–
32.41 lb at 1.15 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

4-27
CYLINDER AND PISTON
3. Measure:• Ring end gapOut 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 ringOnto 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 ringOffset 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. Lubricate:•Piston
• Piston ring
• Cylinder
Apply a liberal coating of engine oil.
2. Install:• Dowel pin "1"
• O-ring "2"
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.
3. Install:• Cylinder gasket "1"
• Cylinder "2"
End gap:
Standard it>
Top
ring 0.15–0.25 mm
(0.006–0.010 in) 0.50
mm
(0.020 in)
2nd
ring 0.30–0.45 mm
(0.012–0.018 in) 0.80
mm
(0.031 in)
Oil
ring 0.10–0.40 mm
(0.004–0.016 in) —
Outside diameter (piston
pin): 15.991–16.000 mm
(0.6296–0.6299 in)
Inside diameter (piston): 16.002–16.013 mm
(0.6300–0.6304 in)
Piston pin-to-piston clearance = Inside diameter (piston) "b" -
Outside diameter (piston pin)
"a"
Piston pin-to-piston
clearance:0.002–0.022 mm
(0.0001–0.0009 in)
:0.07 mm (0.003
in)
New