2009 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 maintenance

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EBU23470Coolant The coolant level should be checked before each
ride. In addition, the coolant must be changed at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.EBU27940To check the coolant level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-ture.
2. Check the coolant level in the coolant reser-
voir.TIPThe coolant should be between the minimum andmaximum level marks.3. If the coolant is at or below the minimum level
mark, remove the reservoir cap, add coolant
or distilled water to the maximum level mark,
and then install the reservoir cap.
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
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8

If water has been used instead of coolant, re-
place it with coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the cooling system will not be pro-
tected against frost and corrosion.
If water has been added to the coolant, have
a Yamaha dealer check the antifreeze con-
tent of the coolant as soon as possible, oth-
erwise the effectiveness of the coolant willbe reduced.
13. Install the radiator cap, start the engine, let it
idle for several minutes, and then turn it off.
14. Remove the radiator cap to check the coolant
level in the radiator. If it is low, add sufficient
coolant until it reaches the top of the radiator,
and then install the radiator cap.
15. Start the engine, and then check for coolant
leakage.TIPIf any leakage is found, have a Yamaha dealercheck the cooling system.
16. Install the cowling.
17. Install the panels.
EBU23645Cleaning the air filter element The air filter element should be cleaned at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Clean or, if necessary, replace
the air filter element more frequently if you are
riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.TIPThere is a check hose at the bottom of the air filter
case. If dust or water collects in this hose, empty
the hose and clean the air filter element and air fil-ter case.
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.1. Air filter case check hose
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8 11. Insert the air filter element into the air filter
case, and then install the air filter case cover
by hooking the holders onto the air filter case.
12. Install the seat.
TIPThe air filter element should be cleaned every 20–
40 hours. It should be cleaned and lubricated more
often if the ATV is operated in extremely dusty ar-
eas. Each time the air filter element maintenance
is performed, check the air inlet of the air filter case
for obstructions. Check the air filter case rubber
joint to the carburetor fittings and the rubber joint
manifold fittings for an air-tight seal. Tighten all fit-
tings securely to avoid the possibility of unfilteredair entering the engine.NOTICEECB00460
Make sure that the air filter element is prop-
erly seated in the air filter case.
Never operate the engine with the air filter el-
ement removed. This will allow unfiltered air
to enter the engine, causing rapid engine
wear and possible engine damage. Addition-
ally, operation without the air filter elementwill affect carburetor jetting with subsequent
poor performance and possible engine over-
heating.EBU27011Cleaning the spark arrester Be sure the exhaust pipe and muffler are cool be-
fore cleaning the spark arrester.
1. Remove the tailpipe cover by removing the
bolts.
2. Remove the tailpipe by pulling it out of the
muffler.1. Bolt
2. Tailpipe cover
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EBU23930V-belt case drain plug After riding in water deep enough to allow it to en-
ter the V-belt case, remove this plug to drain the
water from the case.TIPIf water drains from the V-belt case after removing
the plug, have a Yamaha dealer check the ATV asthe water may affect other engine parts.
EBU23940Adjusting the carburetor The carburetor should be checked and, if neces-
sary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication chart. The
carburetor is an important part of the engine and
requires very sophisticated adjustment. Therefore,
most carburetor adjustments should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the necessary profes-
sional knowledge and experience. The adjustment
described in the following section, however, may
be performed by the owner as part of routine main-
tenance.NOTICEECB00480The carburetor has been set and extensively
tested at the Yamaha factory. Changing these
settings without sufficient technical knowl-
edge may result in poor performance of ordamage to the engine.EBU24000Adjusting the engine idling speed The engine idling speed must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted as follows at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart.
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EBU24044Adjusting the throttle cable free play The throttle cable free play should be checked
and, if necessary, adjusted at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
The throttle cable free play should measure 3.0–
5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) at the throttle lever. Period-
ically check the throttle cable free play and, if nec-
essary, adjust it as follows.TIPThe engine idling speed must be checked, and ad-
justed if necessary, before adjusting the throttle ca-ble free play.
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. To increase the throttle cable free play, turn
the throttle cable free play adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a). To decrease the throttle cable free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).3. Tighten the locknut.
EBU24060Valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use, resulting in
improper air-fuel mixture and/or engine noise. To
prevent this from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.1. Locknut
2. Throttle cable free play adjusting bolt
3. Throttle cable free play
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EBU24071Adjusting the drive select lever safety
system cable The drive select lever safety system cable stretch-
es with use, which can result in improper function.
Therefore, the safety system cable should be
checked and adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.EBU24130Checking the front and rear brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be checked for
wear at the intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.EBU24171Front brake pads
Check each front brake pad for damage and mea-
sure the lining thickness. If a brake pad is dam-
aged or if the lining thickness is less than 1.0 mm
(0.04 in), have a Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.
TIPThe wheels need to be removed to check thebrake pads. (See page 8-55.)EBU26460Rear brake pads
Each rear brake pad is provided with wear indica-
tor grooves, which allow you to check the brake
pad wear without having to disassemble the brake.
To check the brake pad wear, check the wear indi-
cator grooves. If a brake pad has worn to the point
that the wear indicator grooves have almost disap-
peared, have a Yamaha dealer replace the brake
pads as a set.1. Lining thickness
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8Rear brake
TIPTo check the rear brake fluid level, remove cowlingB. (See page 8-9.)
Observe these precautions:
When checking the fluid level, make sure that
the top of the brake fluid reservoir is level.
Use only the recommended quality brake fluid,
otherwise the rubber seals may deteriorate,
causing leakage and poor braking performance.

Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Mixing
fluids may result in a harmful chemical reaction
and lead to poor braking performance.
Be careful that water does not enter the brake
fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the fluid and may
result in vapor lock.
Brake fluid may deteriorate painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid imme-
diately.
As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause.EBU24291Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the TIP after the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. In addition,
have the oil seals of the master cylinders and cali-
pers as well as the brake hoses replaced at the in-
tervals listed below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two years.
Brake hoses: Replace every four years.
1. Minimum level markRecommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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EBU24393Checking the front brake lever free play The brake lever free play must be checked at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. The brake lever should have no
free play as shown. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
WARNING
EWB02471Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause loss of braking ability,
which could lead to an accident.
After servicing:

Make sure the brakes operate smoothly and
that there is no free play.
Make sure the brakes do not drag.
Make sure the brakes are not spongy. All air
must be bled from the brake system.
Replacement of brake components requires
professional knowledge. These proceduresshould be performed by a Yamaha dealer.EBU26491Adjusting the rear brake lever free play
and checking the brake pedal position The brake lever free play must be adjusted and
brake pedal position must be checked and, if nec-
essary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.TIP
Always perform this maintenance completely in
the following order whenever adjusting the rear
brake.
Before adjusting the brake lever free play and
checking the brake pedal position, check therear brake pads for wear.
1. Brake lever free playU3C263E0.book Page 42 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM