2010 YAMAHA YZF-R1 Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-10
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.
TIPIf 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.NOTICE
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, twist
it back and forth while pushing it in.
Specified spark plug:
NGK/LMAR9E-J
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)
U14BE1E0.book Page 10 Friday, July 24, 2009 10:55 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-11
6
EAU47281
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. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false 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.TIPThe engine oil should be between the
minimum 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 cowlings C and D. (See
page 6-7.)
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,
the engine oil drain bolt and its
gasket to drain the oil from the
crankcase.
TIPSkip steps 5–7 if the oil filter cartridge is
not being replaced.5. Remove the oil filter cartridge with
an oil filter wrench.
1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
4. Engine oil filler cap
2 4
13
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
1 1
2
U14BE1E0.book Page 11 Friday, July 24, 2009 10:55 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-12
6
TIPAn oil filter wrench is available at a
Yamaha dealer.6. Apply a thin coat of clean engine
oil to the O-ring of the new oil filter
cartridge.
TIPMake sure that the O-ring is properly
seated.7. Install the new oil filter cartridge
with an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.8. Install the engine oil drain bolt and
its new gasket, and then tighten
the bolt to the specified torque.
9. Refill with the specified amount of
the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
1. Engine oil filter cartridge
2. Oil filter wrench
1
2
1. O-ring
1. Torque wrench
Tightening 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)
1
U14BE1E0.book Page 12 Friday, July 24, 2009 10:55 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-13
6
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-
tem have cooled down.NOTICE
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.TIPAfter the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient.NOTICE
ECA10401
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on even if the oil level is
correct, immediately turn the engine
off and have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.11. Turn the engine off, wait a few min-
utes until the oil settles, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
12. Install the cowlings.
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.
EAU38173
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.TIP

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 the
side can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the cool-
ant reservoir.TIPThe coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:
3.73 L (3.94 US qt, 3.28 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
3.93 L (4.15 US qt, 3.46 Imp.qt)
U14BE1E0.book Page 13 Friday, July 24, 2009 10:55 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-14
6 3. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir cover by remov-
ing the bolts, remove the coolant
reservoir cap, and then add cool-
ant to the maximum level mark.
WARNING! Remove only the
coolant reservoir cap. Never at-
tempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.
[EWA15161]
NOTICE: 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 insteadof 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 anti-
freeze content of the coolant as
soon as possible, otherwise the
effectiveness of the coolant will
be reduced.
[ECA10472]
4. Install the reservoir cap, and then
install the coolant reservoir cover
by installing the bolts.
EAU47302
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 6-7.)
3. Place a container under the engine
to collect the used coolant.
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
3 2
1. Coolant reservoir cover
2. Bolt
1
2
1. Coolant reservoir cap
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to
the maximum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
1
U14BE1E0.book Page 14 Friday, July 24, 2009 10:55 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-15
64. Remove the radiator cap.
WARNING! Never attempt to re-
move the radiator cap when the
engine is hot.
[EWA10381]
5. Remove the coolant drain bolt and
its gasket to drain the cooling sys-
tem.6. Remove the coolant reservoir cov-
er by removing the bolts, and then
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.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 its
new gasket, and then tighten the
bolt to the specified torque.
11. Pour the recommended coolant
into the reservoir to the maximum
level mark, and then install the
coolant reservoir cap.1. Radiator cap
1. Coolant drain bolt
2. Gasket
1
11
2
1. Coolant reservoir cover
2. Bolt
1
2
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Coolant reservoir cap
3. BoltTightening torque:
Coolant drain bolt:
7 Nm (0.7 m·kgf, 5.1 ft·lbf)
12
3
U14BE1E0.book Page 15 Friday, July 24, 2009 10:55 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-16
6 12. Pour the recommended coolant
into the radiator until it is full.
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 coolant reservoir cover
by installing the bolts.
17. Install the cowlings.
EAU36764
Air filter element The air filter element must be replaced
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
Have a Yamaha dealer replace the air
filter element.
Antifreeze/water mixture ratio:
1:1
Recommended antifreeze:
High-quality ethylene glycol anti-
freeze containing corrosion inhibi-
tors for aluminum engines
Coolant quantity:
Radiator capacity (including all
routes):
2.73 L (2.89 US qt, 2.40 Imp.qt)
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the
maximum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
U14BE1E0.book Page 16 Friday, July 24, 2009 10:55 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-17
6
EAU44734
Checking the engine idling
speed Check the engine idling speed and, if
necessary, have it corrected by a
Yamaha dealer.
EAU21382
Checking the throttle cable
free play The throttle cable free play should mea-
sure 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in) at the
throttle grip. Periodically check the
throttle cable free play and, if neces-
sary, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.
EAU21401
Valve 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 intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
Engine idling speed:
1150–1250 r/min
1. Throttle cable free play
1
U14BE1E0.book Page 17 Friday, July 24, 2009 10:55 AM