2008 YAMAHA YZ450F light

3-9
ENGINE
Replacement steps:
a. Remove the oil filter element cov-
er "1" and oil filter element "2".
b. Check the O-rings "3", if cracked
or damaged, replace them with a
new one.
c. Install the oil filter element and oil
filter element cover.
5. Install:
• Gaskets
• Oil filter drain bolt
• Drain bolt (right crankcase)
• Drain bolt (left crankcase)
6. Fill:
• Engine oil7. Install:
• Oil filler cap
8. Inspect:
• Engine (for oil leaks)
• Oil level
Refer to "ENGINE OIL LEVEL IN-
SPECTION".
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 filter element cover:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Oil filter drain bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Drain bolt (right crank-
case):
20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Drain bolt (left crank-
case):
20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Oil quantity:
Periodic oil change:
0.95 L (0.84 Imp qt,
1.00 US qt)
With oil filter replace-
ment:
1.0 L (0.88 Imp qt, 1.06
US qt)
Total amount:
1.2 L (1.06 Imp qt, 1.27
US qt)
Oil pressure check bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Pilot screw (example):
1-1/2 turns out
Digital tachometer:
YU-39951-B/90890-
06760
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

3-21
CHASSIS
LUBRICATION
To ensure smooth operation of all
components, lubricate your machine
during setup, after break-in, and after
every race.
1. All control cable
2. Clutch lever pivot
3. Shift pedal pivot
4. Footrest pivot
5. Throttle-to-handlebar contact
6. Drive chain
7. Tube guide cable winding por-
tion
8. Throttle cable end
9. Clutch cable end
10. Hot starter cable end
A. Use Yamaha cable lube or
equivalent on these areas.B. Use SAE 10W-30 motor oil or
suitable chain lubricants.
C. Lubricate the following areas
with high quality, lightweight lith-
ium-soap base grease.
Wipe off any excess grease, and
avoid getting grease on the brake
discs.

3-22
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 tachometer
To the ignition coil lead (orange
lead"1").
3. Adjust:
• Engine idling speed
Refer 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

4-4
EXHAUST PIPE AND SILENCER
CHECKING THE SILENCER AND
EXHAUST PIPE
1. Inspect:
• Gasket "1"
Damage
→Replace.
CHANGING THE SILENCER FIBER
1. Remove:
• Rivet (front) "1"
• Inner pipe "2"
Take care not to damage the rivet
fitting holes (ø4.9 mm) "a" in re-
moval.
Pull out the inner pipe while lightly
tapping the stay "b" on the silencer
using a soft hammer.
2. Replace:
• Fiber "1" (for EUROPE)
3. Replace:
• Fiber "1" (except for EUROPE)
Wrap around the inner pipe the fiber
as is vinyl packaged, then secure it
with pieces of tape "2".
4. Install:
• Inner pipe "1"
• Rivet (front) "2"
• Band "3"
• Apply heat resistant sealant along
the plate edge "a" on the inside of
the silencer and also along the si-
lencer edge "b" as shown.
• Take care not to allow the fiber out
of place when installing the inner
pipe.
• Install the band "3" with the mating
ends "c" positioned as shown.
INSTALLING THE SILENCER AND
EXHAUST PIPE
1. Install:
• Gasket
• Exhaust pipe "1"
• Nut (exhaust pipe) "2"
• Bolt (exhaust pipe) "3"
First, temporarily tighten the nut (ex-
haust pipe), then tighten the bolt (ex-
haust pipe) 13 Nm (1.3 m•kg, 9.4
ft•lb). After that, retighten the nut (ex-
haust pipe) 20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14 ft•lb)
and then the bolt (exhaust pipe) 20
Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14 ft•lb).
2. Install:
• Silencer clamp "1"
• Gasket "2"
• Silencer "3"
• Washer "4"
• Bolt (silencer) "5"
• Install the gasket with its meshed
area "a" toward the exhaust pipe
side.
• The gasket should be installed ac-
cording to the dimension shown.
Nut (exhaust pipe):
20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Bolt (exhaust pipe):
20 Nm (2.0 m•kg, 14
ft•lb)
Silencer clamp:
14 Nm (1.4 m•kg, 10
ft•lb)
Bolt (silencer):
30 Nm (3.0 m•kg, 22
ft•lb)
New

4-12
CARBURETOR
9. Install:
• Push rod "1"
While holding down the lever 1 "2", in-
sert the push rod farthest into the car-
buretor.
10. Install:
• Starter jet "1"
• Pilot jet "2"
• Spacer "3"
• Needle jet "4"
•Main jet "5"
11. Install:
• Needle valve "1"
• Float "2"
• Float pin "3"
• After installing the needle valve to
the float, install them to the carbure-
tor.• Check the float for smooth move-
ment.
12. Install:
• Pilot screw "1"
• Spring "2"
• Washer "3"
• O-ring "4"
Note the following installation
points:
a. Turn in the pilot screw until it is
lightly seated.
b. Turn out the pilot screw by the
number of turns recorded before
removing.
13. Install:
• O-ring
• Leak jet "1"
• Float chamber "2"
• Bolt (float chamber) "3"
• Cable holder (throttle stop screw
cable) "4"
• Hose holder (carburetor breather
hose) "5"
14. Install:
• Diaphragm (accelerator pump)
"1"
• Spring "2"
• O-ring "3"
• Accelerator pump cover "4"
• Hose holder (drain hose) "5"
• Screw (accelerator pump cover)
"6"
Install the diaphragm (accelerator
pump) with its mark "a" facing the
spring.
15. Install:
• Jet needle "1"
•Collar "2"
• Spring "3"
• Needle holder "4"
• Throttle valve plate "5"
To throttle valve "6".
16. Install:
• Throttle valve assembly "1"
• Screw (throttle shaft) "2"
Install the valve lever rollers "3" into
the slits "a" of the throttle valve.
17. Install:
• O-ring "1"
• Valve lever housing cover "2"
• Bolt (valve lever housing cover)
"3"
18. Install:
• Carburetor breather hose "1"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM"section in the CHAPTER
2.
Pilot screw (example):
1-1/2 turns out

4-13
CARBURETOR
ADJUSTING THE ACCELERATOR
PUMP TIMING
Adjustment steps:
In order for the throttle valve height
"a" to achieve the specified value,
tuck under the throttle valve plate "1"
the rod "2" etc. with the same outer di-
ameter as the specified value.
a. Fully turn in the accelerator pump
adjusting screw "3".
b. Check that the link lever "4" has
free play "b" by pushing lightly on
it.
c. Gradually turn out the adjusting
screw while moving the link lever
until it has no more free play.
INSTALLING THE CARBURETOR
1. Install:
• Carburetor joint "1"2. Install:
• Carburetor "1"
Install the projection "a" between the
carburetor joint slots.
3. Install:
• Hot starter plunger "1"
4. Tighten:
• Bolt (carburetor joint) "1"
• Bolt (air filter joint) "2"
5. Install:
• Throttle cable (pull) "1"
• Throttle cable (return) "2"6. Adjust:
• Throttle grip free play
Refer to "ADJUSTING THE
THROTTLE CABLE FREE PLAY"
section in the CHAPTER 3.
7. Install:
• Throttle cable cover "1"
• Bolt (throttle cable cover) "2"
8. Install:
• Throttle position sensor lead cou-
pler "1"
• Clamp "2"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2. Throttle valve height:
1.25 mm (0.049 in)
Carburetor joint:
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Hot starter plunger:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Bolt (carburetor joint):
3 Nm (0.3 m•kg, 2.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (air filter joint):
3 Nm (0.3 m•kg, 2.2
ft•lb)
Throttle cable (pull):
4 Nm (0.4 m•kg, 2.9
ft•lb)
Throttle cable (return):
11 Nm (1.1 m•kg, 8.0
ft•lb)Bolt (throttle cable cov-
er):
4 Nm (0.4 m•kg, 2.9
ft•lb)

4-17
CAMSHAFTS
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.
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.
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.
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
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",
the timing chain tensioner "2", and
the gasket "3", and tighten the bolt
"4" to the specified torque.
c. Release the screwdriver, check
the tensioner rod to come out and
tighten the gasket "5" and the cap
bolt "6" to the specified torque.
3. Turn:
• Crankshaft
Counterclockwise several turns.
4. Check:
• Rotor T.D.C. mark
Align with the crankcase align
mark.
• Camshaft match marks
Align with the cylinder head sur-
face.
Out of alignment
→Adjust. 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)