2008 YAMAHA YZ250F check oil

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

3-17
CHASSIS
CHECKING THE DRIVE CHAIN
1. Measure:• Drive chain length (15 links) "a"Out of specification
→Replace.
• While measuring the drive chain
length, push down on the drive
chain to increase its tension.
• Measure the length between drive
chain roller "1" and "16" as shown.
• Perform this measurement at two or three different places.
2. Remove:
• Master link clip
•Joint "1"
• Drive chain "2"
3. Clean: • Drive chain
Place it in kerosene, and brush off
as much dirt as possible. Then re-
move the drive chain from the ker-
osene and dry the drive chain.
4. Check: • Drive chain stiffness "a"
Clean and oil the drive chain and hold as illustrated.
Stiff
→Replace the drive chain.
5. Install: • Drive chain "1"
• Joint "2"
• Master link clip "3"
Be sure to install the master link
clip to the direction as shown.
a. Turning direction
6. Lubricate: • Drive chain
ADJUSTING THE DRIVE CHAIN
SLACK
1. Elevate the rear wheel by placing the suitable stand under the en-
gine.
2. Check:
• Drive chain slack "a"Above the seal guard installation
bolt.
Out of specification
→Adjust.
Before checking and/or adjusting, ro-
tate the rear wheel through several
revolutions and check the slack sev-
eral times to find the tightest point.
Check and/or adjust the drive chain
slack with the rear wheel in this "tight chain" position.
3. Adjust:
• Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack adjustment
steps:
a. Loosen the axle nut "1" and lock- nuts "2".
b. Adjust the drive chain slack by
turning the adjusters "3".
c. Turn each adjuster exactly the same amount to maintain correct
axle alignment. (There are marks
"a" on each side of the drive chain
puller alignment.)
Turn the adjuster so that the drive
chain is in line with the sprocket, as
viewed from the rear.
Too small drive chain slack will
overload the engine and other vital
parts; keep the slack within the
specified limits.
d. Tighten the axle nut while pushing down the drive chain.
e. Tighten the locknuts.
Drive chain length (15
links): : 242.9 mm
(9.563 in)
Drive chain lubricant:SAE 10W-30 motor oil
or suitable chain lubri-
cants
Drive chain slack: 48–58 mm (1.9–2.3 in)
To tighten→Turn the adjuster "3"
counterclockwise.
To loosen
→Turn the adjuster "3"
clockwise and push wheel for-
ward.
Axle nut:125 Nm (12.5 m•kg, 90
ft•lb)
Locknut: 19 Nm (1.9 m•kg, 13
ft•lb)

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

3-23
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

4-17
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)

4-18
CAMSHAFTS
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.
Do not turn the crankshaft during
the camshaft installation. Damage
or improper valve timing will re-
sult.
d. Install the clips, camshaft caps "4" and bolts (camshaft cap) "5".
• Before removing the clips, cover the cylinder head with a clean rag to
prevent the clips from into the cylin-
der head cavity.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the thread of the bolts (camshaft
cap).
• Tighten the bolts to the specified
torque in two or three steps in the
proper tightening sequence as
shown.
The bolts (camshaft cap) must be
tightened evenly, or damage to the
cylinder head, camshaft caps, and
camshaft will result.
2. Install:• Timing chain tensioner
Installation steps:
a. While pressing the tensioner rod
lightly with fingers, use a thin
screwdriver and wind the tension-
er rod up fully clockwise.
b. With the rod fully wound and the chain tensioner UP mark "a" fac-
ing upward, install the gasket "1"
and the timing chain tensioner "2",
and tighten the bolt "3" to the
specified torque.
c. Release the screwdriver, check the tensioner rod to come out and
tighten the gasket "4" and the cap
bolt "5" to the specified torque.
3. Turn:
• CrankshaftCounterclockwise several turns.
4. Check: • Rotor T.D.C. markAlign with the crankcase align
mark.
• Camshaft match marks Align with the cylinder head sur-
face.
Out of alignment
→Adjust. 5. Install:
• Timing mark accessing screw "1"
• Crankshaft end accessing screw "2"
6. Install: • Timing chain guide (top side) "1"
• Cylinder head cover gasket "2"
• Cylinder head cover "3"
• Bolt (cylinder head cover) "4"
Apply the sealant on the cylinder
head cover gasket.
7. Install:• Cylinder head breather hose
• Spark plug
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (timing chain ten-
sioner):10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Tensioner cap bolt: 7 Nm (0.7 m•kg, 5.1
ft•lb)
Bolt (cylinder head cov-
er):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
YAMAHA Bond No. 1215
(ThreeBond
® No. 1215):
90890-85505
Spark plug: 13 Nm (1.3 m•kg, 9.4
ft•lb)

4-20
CYLINDER HEAD
CHECKING THE CYLINDER HEAD
1. Eliminate:• Carbon deposits (from the com-bustion chambers)
Use a rounded scraper.
Do not use a sharp instrument to
avoid damaging or scratching:
• Spark plug threads
•Valve seats
2. Inspect:
• Cylinder headScratches/damage
→Replace.
3. Measure: • Cylinder head warpageOut of specification
→Resurface.
Warpage measurement and resur-
facing steps:
a. Place a straightedge and a feeler
gauge across the cylinder head.
b. Use a feeler gauge to measure
the warpage.
c. If the warpage is out of specifica- tion, resurface the cylinder head.
d. Place a 400–600 grit wet sandpa- per on the surface plate, and re-
surface the head using a figure-
eight sanding pattern.
To ensure an even surface rotate the
cylinder head several times.
INSTALLING THE CYLINDER
HEAD
1. Install:• Dowel pin "1"
• Cylinder head gasket "2"
• Timing chain guide (exhaust side) "3"
• Cylinder head "4"
While pulling up the timing chain, in-
stall the timing chain guide (exhaust
side) and cylinder head.
2. Install: •Washer "1"
• Cable guide "2"
• Bolts [L = 145 mm (5.71 in)] "3"
• Bolts [L = 135 mm (5.31 in)] "4"
•Nuts "5"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide grease on the thread and contact
surface of the bolts.
• Follow the numerical order shown in the illustration. Tighten the bolts
and nuts in two stages.
3. Install:• Copper washer "1"
• Oil delivery pipe "2"
• Union bolt (M8) "3"
• Union bolt (M10) "4"
4. Install: • Radiator pipe "1"
• Bolt (radiator pipe) "2"
Cylinder head warpage:
Less than 0.05 mm
(0.002 in)
Bolts [L = 145 mm (5.71
in)]:38 Nm (3.8 m•kg, 27
ft•lb)
Bolts [L = 135 mm (5.31
in)]: 38 Nm (3.8 m•kg, 27
ft•lb)
Nuts: 10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Union bolt (M8):
18 Nm (1.8 m•kg, 13
ft•lb)
Union bolt (M10): 20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Bolt (radiator pipe): 10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)

4-23
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
4. Measure:• Margin thickness "a"Out of specification
→Replace.
5. Measure: • Runout (valve stem)Out of specification
→Replace.
• When installing a new valve always
replace the guide.
• If the valve is removed or replaced
always replace the oil seal.
6. Eliminate:• Carbon deposits(from the valve face and valve
seat)
7. Inspect: •Valve seat
Pitting/wear
→Reface the valve
seat.
8. Measure:
• Valve seat width "a"Out of specification
→Reface the
valve seat.
Measurement steps:
a. Apply Mechanic's blueing dye
(Dykem) "b" to the valve face.
b. Install the valve into the cylinder head.
c. Press the valve through the valve guide and onto the valve seat to
make a clear pattern.
d. Measure the valve seat width. Where the valve seat and valve
face made contact, blueing will
have been removed.
e. If the valve seat is too wide, too
narrow, or the seat is not cen-
tered, the valve seat must be re-
faced.
9. Lap:• Valve face
• Valve seat
After refacing the valve seat or re-
placing the valve and valve guide, the
valve seat and valve face should be
lapped.
Lapping steps:
a. Apply a coarse lapping compound to the valve face.
Do not let the compound enter the
gap between the valve stem and
the guide.
b. Apply molybdenum disulfide oil to the valve stem. c. Install the valve into the cylinder
head.
d. Turn the valve until the valve face and valve seat are evenly pol-
ished, then clean off all of the
compound.
For best lapping results, lightly tap
the valve seat while rotating the valve
back and forth between your hands.
e. Apply a fine lapping compound to the valve face and repeat the
above steps.
After every lapping operation be sure
to clean off all of the compound from
the valve face and valve seat.
f. Apply Mechanic's blueing dye
(Dykem) to the valve face.
g. Install the valve into the cylinder head.
h. Press the valve through the valve guide and onto the valve seat to
make a clear pattern.
i. Measure the valve seat width again. If the valve seat width is out
of specification, reface and relap
the valve seat.
CHECKING THE VALVE SPRINGS
1. Measure:• Valve spring free length "a"Out of specification
→Replace.
Margin thickness:
Intake:
0.8 mm (0.0315 in)
Exhaust: 0.7 mm (0.0276 in)
Runout limit: 0.01 mm (0.0004 in)
Valve seat width: Intake:0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–
0.0433 in)
:1.6 mm
(0.0630 in)
Exhaust:
0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–
0.0433 in)
:1.6 mm
(0.0630 in)
Free length (valve
spring): Intake:37.81 mm (1.49 in)
: 36.81 mm
(1.45 in)
Exhaust:
37.54 mm (1.48 in)
: 36.54 mm
(1.44 in)