2008 YAMAHA YZF-R1 Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-9
6
EAU19652
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
they should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of each spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal color
when the vehicle is ridden normally),
and all spark plugs installed in the en-
gine should have the same color. If any
spark plug shows a distinctly different
color, the engine could be operating im-
properly. Do not attempt to diagnose
such problems yourself. Instead, have
a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or other
deposits, it should be replaced.Before installing a spark plug, the spark
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and, if necessary,
adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads.
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR9EK
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.0 ft·lbf)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-10
6
NOTE:If a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-fied torque as soon as possible.CAUTION:
ECA10840
Do not use any tools to remove or in-
stall the spark plug cap, otherwise
the ignition coil coupler may get
damaged. The spark plug cap may
be difficult to remove because the
rubber seal on the end of the cap fits
tightly. To remove the spark plug
cap, simply twist it back and forth
while pulling it out; to install it, twistit back and forth while pushing it in.
EAU19912
Engine oil and oil filter car-
tridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.NOTE:
Make sure that the vehicle is positioned
straight up when checking the oil level.
A slight tilt to the side can result in afalse reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.
NOTE:The engine oil should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is at or below the
minimum level mark, add sufficient
oil of the recommended type to
raise it to the correct level.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Remove cowling C. (See page
6-6.)1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
4. Engine oil filler cap
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-11
6 2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and drain bolt to drain the oil from
the crankcase.
NOTE:Skip steps 5–7 if the oil filter cartridge isnot being replaced.
5. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.
NOTE:An oil filter wrench is available at aYamaha dealer.
6. Apply a thin coat of engine oil to
the O-ring of the new oil filter car-
tridge.
NOTE:
Make sure that the O-ring is properlyseated.
7. Install the new oil filter cartridge
with an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
1. Engine oil drain bolt
1. Oil filter wrench
2. Engine oil filter cartridge
1. O-ring
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-12
68. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.
NOTE:Check the washer for damage and re-place it if necessary.
9. Add the specified amount of the
recommended engine oil, and then
install and tighten the oil filler cap.
NOTE:Be sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-tem have cooled down.CAUTION:
ECA11620


In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a high-
er quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-rial enters the crankcase.10. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
NOTE:After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if theoil level is sufficient.CAUTION:
ECA10400
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha dealercheck the vehicle.
11. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
12. Install the cowling.
1. Torque wrenchTightening torque:
Oil filter cartridge:
17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf, 31 ft·lbf)
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:
2.90 L (3.07 US qt) (2.55 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
3.10 L (3.28 US qt) (2.73 Imp.qt)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-13
6
EAU20070
Coolant The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU42990
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.NOTE:

The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.


Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to theside can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the cool-
ant reservoir.
NOTE:The coolant should be between theminimum and maximum level marks.3. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove cowl-
ing B. (See page 6-6.)
4. Remove the reservoir cap, add
coolant to the maximum level
mark, and then install the reservoir
cap.
CAUTION:
ECA10471


If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water
or salt water since it is harmful
to the engine.


If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the cooling system will not
be protected against frost and
corrosion.
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1. Coolant reservoir cap
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the
maximum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt) (0.22 Imp.qt)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-14
6


If water has been added to the
coolant, have a Yamaha dealer
check the antifreeze content of
the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness ofthe coolant will be reduced.WARNING
EWA10380
Never attempt to remove the radiatorcap when the engine is hot.
5. Install the cowling.NOTE:

The radiator fans are automatically
switched on or off according to the
coolant temperature in the radia-
tor.


If the engine overheats, see page6-44 for further instructions.
EAU42980
To change the coolant
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and let the engine cool if nec-
essary.
2. Remove cowlings B and C. (See
page 6-6.)3. Place a container under the engine
to collect the used coolant.
4. Remove the radiator cap.
WARNING
EWA10380
Never attempt to remove the radiatorcap when the engine is hot.
5. Remove the coolant drain bolt to
drain the cooling system.6. Remove the coolant reservoir cap.
7. Remove the coolant reservoir by
removing the bolts, and then turn
the reservoir upside down to emp-
ty it.1. Radiator cap
1. Coolant drain bolt
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Coolant reservoir
3. Bolt
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-15
6 8. After the coolant is completely
drained, thoroughly flush the cool-
ing system with clean tap water.
9. Install the coolant reservoir by in-
stalling the bolts.
10. Install the coolant drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.
NOTE:Check the washer for damage and re-place it if necessary.
11. Pour the recommended coolant
into the reservoir to the maximum
level mark, and then install the
coolant reservoir cap.
12. Pour the recommended coolant
into the radiator until it is full.
CAUTION:
ECA10471


If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water
or salt water since it is harmful
to the engine.


If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the cooling system will not
be protected against frost and
corrosion.


If water has been added to the
coolant, have a Yamaha dealer
check the antifreeze content ofthe coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of
the coolant will be reduced.
13. Install the radiator cap, start the
engine, let it idle for several min-
utes, and then turn it off.
14. Remove the radiator cap to check
the coolant level in the radiator. If
necessary, add sufficient coolant
until it reaches the top of the radia-
tor, and then install the radiator
cap.
15. Start the engine, and then check
the vehicle for coolant leakage. If
coolant is leaking, have a Yamaha
dealer check the cooling system.
16. Install the cowlings.
Tightening torque:
Coolant drain bolt:
7.0 Nm (0.7 m·kgf, 5.1 ft·lbf)
Antifreeze/water mixture ratio:
1:1
Recommended antifreeze:
High-quality ethylene glycol anti-
freeze containing corrosion inhibitors
for aluminum engines
Coolant quantity:
Radiator capacity (including all
routes):
2.76 L (2.92 US qt) (2.43 Imp.qt)
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the
maximum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt) (0.22 Imp.qt)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-16
6
EAU42960
Replacing the air filter element The air filter element should be re-
placed at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart. Replace the air filter element
more frequently if you are riding in un-
usually wet or dusty areas.
1. Remove the rider seat. (See page
3-19.)
2. Remove panels A and B. (See
page 6-6.)
3. Remove the fuel tank bolts.
4. Lift the front of the fuel tank, and
then tilt it back and away from the
air filter case. (Do not disconnect
the fuel hoses!)
WARNING
EWA10410


Make sure that the fuel tank is
well supported.


Do not tilt or pull the fuel tank
too much, otherwise the fuel
hoses may come loose, whichcould cause fuel leakage.
5. Remove the air filter case cover by
removing the screws.
CAUTION:
ECA12880
When removing the air filter case
cover, be careful not to allow foreign
objects to drop into the air intakemanifold.
6. Pull the air filter element out.
1. Bolt
1. Screw
2. Air filter case cover
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