2011 YAMAHA YFZ450R Owners Manual

8-11
8 Panels B and C
To remove one of the panels
1. Remove panel A.
2. Pull the panel off.
To install one of the panels1. Place the panel in the original position.2. Install panel A.
Cowling
To remove the cowling
1. Remove panels A, B and C.
2. Remove the bolts, and then take the cowling
off.
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8-12
8To install the cowling
1. Place the cowling in the original position, and
then install the bolts.
2. Install panels B, C and A.EBU29441Checking 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 the spark plug shows signs of electrode erosion
and excessive carbon or other deposits, it should
be replaced.
1. Bolt
1. Bolt
11
1
1
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8-13
8 Before installing the 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
the 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.EBU29498Engine 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. Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR8E
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
13 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)
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8-14
8
TIPTo 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 engine oil 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.TIPThe engine oil should be between the minimum
and maximum level marks.
5. If the engine oil is at or below the minimum
level mark, add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type through the engine oil tank filler
hole to raise it to the correct level. NOTICE:
Be sure the engine oil is at the correct lev-
el, otherwise engine damage may result.
[ECB00851]
1. Engine oil tank filler cap
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Half-level mark
5. Minimum level mark11
2
3
54
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8-15
8
TIPWhen adding oil, be careful not to overfill the en-
gine oil tank; the oil level rises faster starting from
the half-level-portion on the dipstick.6. Insert the dipstick into the engine oil tank filler
hole, and then tighten the engine oil tank filler
cap. NOTICE: Make sure that the engine oil
tank filler cap is securely tightened; other-
wise, oil may seep out when the engine is
running.
[ECB00362]
To change the engine oil (with or without oil fil-
ter element replacement)
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the engine guard by removing the
bolts.3. Start the engine, warm it up for several min-
utes, and then turn it off.
4. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect
the used oil.
5. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap, and then
remove the engine oil tank drain bolt and its
gasket.
1. Engine guard
2. Bolt
221
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8-16
86. Remove the crankcase engine oil drain bolt
and its gasket.
TIPSkip steps 7–10 if the oil filter element is not being
replaced.7. Remove the oil filter element cover by remov-
ing the bolts.
1. Engine oil tank drain bolt
2. Gasket
1
2
1. Crankcase engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
12
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8-17
8 8. Remove the oil filter element and the O-rings.
9. Install a new oil filter element and new O-
rings.
TIPMake sure that the O-rings are properly seated.10. Install the oil filter element cover by installing
the bolts, and then tighten them to the speci-
fied torque.
1. Oil filter element cover
2. Bolt
1
2
1. Oil filter element
2. O-ringTightening torque:
Oil filter element cover bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
1
2
2
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8-18
811. Install the crankcase engine oil drain bolt, the
engine oil tank drain bolt and their new gasket,
and then tighten the bolts to their specified
torques.
12. Refill with the specified amount of the recom-
mended engine oil through the engine oil tank
filler hole, and then install and tighten the en-
gine oil tank filler cap.
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any parts after the
engine and exhaust system have cooled down.NOTICEECB00300
In order to prevent clutch slippage (since the
engine oil also lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do not use oils
with a diesel specification of “CD” or oils of
a higher quality than specified. In addition,
do not use oils labeled “ENERGY CONSERV-
ING II” or higher.
Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.13. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several
minutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
14. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil lev-
el and correct it if necessary. Tightening torques:
Crankcase engine oil drain bolt:
20 Nm (2.0 m·kgf, 14 ft·lbf)
Engine oil tank drain bolt:
20 Nm (2.0 m·kgf, 14 ft·lbf)
Recommended oil:
See page 10-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter element replacement:
1.40 L (1.48 US qt, 1.23 Imp.qt)
With oil filter element replacement:
1.45 L (1.53 US qt, 1.28 Imp.qt)
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