2009 YAMAHA YFZ450R check engine

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EBU19880
OPERATION
EBU19900
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV.
WARNING

EWB00630
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury. If there is a control or func-
tion you do not understand, ask your Yamaha
dealer.
EBU29482
Starting the engine
WARNING

EWB00640
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.NOTICE
ECB00150
See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-4
prior to operating the engine for the first time.
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the key to “ON” and the engine stop
switch to “ ”.
NOTICE

ECB00950
The coolant temperature warning light, fuel
level warning light and engine trouble warning
light should come on, then go off.
If a warning light does not go off, see page 4-2
for the corresponding warning light circuit
check.
3. Shift the transmission into neutral. The neutral
indicator light should come on, if it does not
come on, have a Yamaha dealer check the
electrical circuit.
TIP

This model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. The engine can be started under the

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not designed to withstand the shock of
forced shifting and can be damaged by shift-
ing without using the clutch.
EBU20672
Engine break-in
TIP


For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour
meter, follow the figures given in km (mi) or the
figures given in hours.

For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or
hour meter, follow the figures given in hours.
There is never a more important period in the life of
your engine than the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours of riding. For this reason, you should read
the following material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not put an ex-
cessive load on it for the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours. The various parts in the engine wear and
polish themselves to the correct operating clear-
ances. During this period, prolonged full-throttle
operation or any condition that might result in en-
gine overheating must be avoided.
0–160 km (0–100 mi) or 0–10 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2 throttle. Vary
the speed of the ATV regularly. Do not operate it at
one set throttle position.
160–320 km (100–200 mi) or 10–20 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle. Rev
the engine through the gears freely, but do not use
full throttle at any time.
320 km (200 mi) or 20 hours and beyond
The ATV can now be operated normally.NOTICE

ECB00220
If any engine trouble should occur during the
engine break-in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the ATV.
EBU26760
Parking
When parking the ATV, stop the engine, shift into
first gear, and then apply the parking brake.

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*
Swingarm pivots

Check operation and for excessive play, and
replace bearings if necessary.

Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
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Upper and lower
arm pivots


Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
12 Drive chain

Check chain slack and adjust if necessary.

Check rear wheel alignment and correct if neces-
sary.

Clean and lubricate.
√√√√√
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Drive chain rollers


Check for wear and replace if necessary.
√√√
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*
Chassis fasteners


Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened.
√√√√√
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*
Shock absorber
assemblies


Check operation and correct if necessary.

Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
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Rear suspension
relay arm and con-
necting arm pivot-
ing points


Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√
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Steering shaft


Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
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Steering system


Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.

Check toe-in and adjust if necessary.
√√√√√
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Engine mount


Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary.
√√√
NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth 1 3 6 6 12
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320

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20 Engine oil

Change.

Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.
√ √√√
21Engine oil filter ele-
ment

Replace.
√√√
22 Cooling system

Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary.
√√√√√

Replace coolant. Every 2 years
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*
Moving parts and
cables

Lubricate.
√√√√
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Throttle lever hous-
ing and cable


Check operation and correct if necessary.

Check throttle cable free play and adjust if neces-
sary.

Lubricate throttle lever housing and cable.
√√√√√
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Front and rear brake
switches

Check operation and correct if necessary.
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Lights and switches

Check operation and correct if necessary.

Adjust headlight beams.
√√√√√
NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320

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EBU29440
Checking the spark plug
The spark plug is an important engine component,
which should be checked periodically, preferably
by a Yamaha dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked in accor-
dance with the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the center elec-
trode of the spark plug should be a medium-to-light
tan (the ideal color when the vehicle is ridden nor-
mally). If the spark plug shows a distinctly different
color, the engine could be operating improperly.
Do not attempt to diagnose such problems your-
self. Instead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ve-
hicle.
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 gaugeand, 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/CR8E
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)

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TIP

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 specified torque as
soon as possible.
EBU29492
Engine oil and oil filter element
The engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and
the oil filter element replaced at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Start the engine, warm it up until the engine oil
has reached a normal temperature of 40 °C
(104 °F), let it continue to idle for ten seconds
or more, and then turn the engine off.
TIP

To achieve the proper engine oil temperature for
an accurate oil level reading, the engine must have
first completely cooled down, and then warmed up
again for several minutes to normal operating tem-
perature.
3. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap, and
wipe the dipstick off with a clean rag.
4. Insert the dipstick into the filler hole (without
screwing it in), and then remove it again to
check the oil level.TIP

The engine oil should be between the minimum
1. Engine oil tank filler cap
2. Dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
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6. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap and the
engine oil tank drain bolt.7. Check the washers for damage, and replace if
necessary.
TIP

Skip steps 8–11 if the oil filter element is not being
replaced.
8. Remove the oil filter element cover by remov-
ing the bolts, and then remove the oil filter el-
ement.
1. Crankcase engine oil drain bolt
1

1. Engine oil tank drain bolt
1

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minutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
15. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil lev-
el and correct it if necessary.
16. Install the engine guard by installing the bolts,
and then tighten them to the specified torque.
NOTICE

ECB00370
Be sure to apply LOCTITE® to the engine
guard bolts before installing them.
EBU23470
Coolant
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.
EBU23482
To check the coolant level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.TIP

The 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.
TIP

The coolant should be between the minimum and
maximum 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. Tightening torque:
Engine guard bolt:
7 Nm (0.7 m·kgf, 5 ft·lbf)