2011 YAMAHA YZ250F ignition

3-5
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Before riding for break-in operation, practice or a race, make sure the machine is in good operating condition.
Before using this machine, check the following points.
GENERAL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Item Routine Page
CoolantCheck that coolant is filled up to the radiator cap. Check the cool-
ing system for leakage.P.3-6 – 7
FuelCheck that a fresh gasoline is filled in the fuel tank. Check the fuel
line for leakage.P.1-13
Engine oilCheck that the oil level is correct. Check the crankcase and oil line
for leakage.P.3-9 – 10
Gear shifter and clutchCheck that gears can be shifted correctly in order and that the
clutch operates smoothly.P.3-7
Throttle grip/HousingCheck that the throttle grip operation and free play are correctly
adjusted. Lubricate the throttle grip and housing, if necessary.P.3-7 – 8
Brakes Check the play of front brake and effect of front and rear brake. P.3-14 – 16
Drive chainCheck drive chain slack and alignment. Check that the drive chain
is lubricated properly.P.3-17 – 18
WheelsCheck for excessive wear and tire pressure. Check for loose
spokes and have no excessive play.P.3-20 – 21
SteeringCheck that the handlebar can be turned smoothly and have no ex-
cessive play.P.3-21 – 22
Front forks and rear shock
absorberCheck that they operate smoothly and there is no oil leakage.
P.3-18 – 20
Cables (wires)Check that the clutch and throttle cables move smoothly. Check
that they are not caught when the handlebars are turned or when
the front forks travel up and down.—
Exhaust pipe Check that the exhaust pipe is tightly mounted and has no cracks. P.4-3 – 4
Rear wheel sprocket Check that the rear wheel sprocket tightening bolt is not loose. P.3-17
Lubrication Check for smooth operation. Lubricate if necessary. P.3-23
Bolts and nuts Check the chassis and engine for loose bolts and nuts. P.1-15
Lead connectorsCheck that the CDI magneto, CDI unit, and ignition coil are con-
nected tightly.P.1-7
SettingsIs the machine set suitably for the condition of the racing course
and weather or by taking into account the results of test runs be-
fore racing? Are inspection and maintenance completely done?P.7-1 – 10

3-11
ENGINE
b. Turn the throttle stop screw "1"
until the specified engine idling
speed.
Using a digital engine tachometer for
idle speed adjustment, detect the en-
gine idling speed by bringing the
sensing element "c" of the engine ta-
chometer close to the ignition coil "2".
ADJUSTING THE VALVE
CLEARANCE
• This section is intended for those
who have basic knowledge and skill
concerning the servicing of Yama-
ha motorcycles (e.g., Yamaha deal-
ers, service engineers, etc.) Those
who have little knowledge and skill
concerning servicing are requested
not to undertake inspection, adjust-
ment, disassembly, or reassembly
only by reference to this manual. It
may lead to servicing trouble and
mechanical damage.
• The valve clearance should be ad-
justed when the engine is cool to
the touch.
• The piston must be at Top Dead
Center (T.D.C.) on compression
stroke to check or adjust the valve
clearance.
1. Remove:
•Seat
•Fuel tank
Refer to "SEAT, FUEL TANK
AND SIDE COVERS" section in
the CHAPTER 4.
2. Remove:
• Spark plug
• Cylinder head cover
Refer to "CAMSHAFTS" section
in the CHAPTER 4.
3. Remove:
• Timing mark accessing screw "1"
• Crankshaft end accessing screw
"2"
• O-ring
4. Check:
• Valve clearance
Out of specification→Adjust.
Checking steps:
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclock-
wise with a wrench.
b. Align the T.D.C. mark "a" on the
rotor with the align mark "b" on the
crankcase cover when piston is at
T.D.C. on compression stroke.
In order to be sure that the piston is at
Top Dead Center, the punch mark "c"
on the exhaust camshaft and the
punch mark "d" on the intake cam-
shaft must align with the cylinder
head surface, as shown in the illustra-
tion.
c. Measure the valve clearance "e"
using a feeler gauge "1".
Record the measured reading if the
clearance is incorrect.
5. Adjust:
• Valve clearance
Adjustment steps:
a. Remove the camshaft (intake and
exhaust).
Refer to "CAMSHAFTS" section
in the CHAPTER 4.
b. Remove the valve lifters "1" and
the pads "2".
• Place a rag in the timing chain
space to prevent pads from falling
into the crankcase.
• Identity each valve lifter and pad
position very carefully so that they
can be reinstalled in their original
place.
To increase idle speed→Turn the
throttle stop screw "1" in "a".
To decrease idle speed→Turn the
throttle stop screw "1" out "b".
Engine idling speed:
1,900–2,100 r/min
Valve clearance (cold):
Intake valve:
0.12–0.17 mm
(0.0047–0.0067 in)
Exhaust valve:
0.17–0.22 mm
(0.0067–0.0087 in)

3-24
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
CHECKING THE SPARK PLUG
1. Remove:
• Spark plug
2. Inspect:
• Electrode "1"
Wear/damage→Replace.
• Insulator color "2"
Normal condition is a medium to
light tan color.
Distinctly different color→Check
the engine condition.
When the engine runs for many hours
at low speeds, the spark plug insula-
tor will become sooty, even if the en-
gine and carburetor are in good
operating condition.
3. Measure:
• Plug gap "a"
Use a wire gauge or thickness
gauge.
Out of specification→Regap.
4. Clean the plug with a spark plug
cleaner if necessary.
5. Tighten:
• Spark plug
• Before installing a spark plug, clean
the gasket surface and plug sur-
face.
• Finger-tighten "a" the spark plug
before torquing to specification "b".
CHECKING THE IGNITION TIMING
1. Remove:
• Timing mark accessing screw "1"
2. Attach:
• Timing light
• Digital tachometer
To the ignition coil lead (orange
lead"1").
3. Adjust:
• Engine idling speed
Refer to "ADJUSTING THE EN-
GINE IDLING SPEED" section.
4. Check:
• Ignition timing
Visually check the stationary
pointer "a" is within the firing
range "b" on the rotor.
Incorrect firing range→Check ro-
tor and pickup assembly.
5. Install:
• Timing mark accessing screw Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm
(0.028–0.031 in)
Spark plug:
13 Nm (1.3 m•kg, 9.4
ft•lb)
Timing light:
YM-33277-A/90890-
03141

4-51
ENGINE REMOVAL
ENGINE REMOVAL
REMOVING THE ENGINE
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Hold the machine by placing the suitable stand
under the frame.Refer to "HANDLING NOTE".
Seat and fuel tank Refer to "SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS" section.
Carburetor Refer to "CARBURETOR" section.
Exhaust pipe and silencer Refer to "EXHAUST PIPE AND SILENCER"
section.
Clutch cable Disconnect at the engine side.
Radiator Refer to "RADIATOR" section.
Shift pedalRefer to "KICK SHAFT AND SHIFT SHAFT"
section.
Cylinder head breather hose Refer to "CAMSHAFTS" section.
Drain the engine oil.Refer to "CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL"
section in the CHAPTER 3.
Oil hose and oil tank breather hose Refer to "OIL PUMP" section.
Ignition coil
Disconnect the CDI magneto lead.
1 Lower engine guard 1

6-2
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND WIRING DIAGRAM
ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS AND
WIRING DIAGRAM
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
1. Engine stop switch
2. Throttle position sensor
3. Neutral switch4. CDI magneto
5. Ignition coil
6. Spark plug 7. CDI unit
WIRING DIAGRAM
1. Engine stop switch
2. Throttle position sensor
3. Neutral switch
4. CDI magneto
5. Ignition coil
6. Spark plug
7. CDI unit COLOR CODE
BBlack
Br Brown
GGreen
LBlue
O Orange
PPink
RRed
Sb Sky blue
WWhite
YYellow B/L Black/Blue
B/W Black/White
B/Y Black/Yellow
G/B Green/Black
L/W Blue/White
R/W Red/White
B/WB/W
B/L
B/Y
SbSb
G/B
LYLY
P
B
B
B
B
G
O
WR
P
GW
R
P
B
Br W
W
B/Y G Br
G
RR
OB
Sb Sb
Y
Y
W Y
W
GG B
P P
Br BrRR
O L
B
Sb Y
LL
B/L
B/W B/W
G/B
B
B
B/L
L
Sb
B/L
G/B
G/B B/Y
B/Y
B/W O
B/W
BrBrP

6-3
IGNITION SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
INSPECTION STEPS
Use the following steps for checking the possibility of the malfunctioning engine being attributable to ignition system failure
and for checking the spark plug which will not spark.
*marked: Only when the ignition checker is used.
• Remove the following parts before inspection.
1. Seat
2. Fuel tank
• Use the following special tools in this inspection.
Spark gap test Spark→*Clean or replace spark plug.
No spark↓
Check entire ignition system for connection.
(couplers, leads and ignition coil)No good→
Repair or replace.
OK↓
Check engine stop switch. No good→Replace.
OK↓
Check ignition coil. (primary coil and secondary
coil)No good→
Replace.
OK↓
Check CDI magneto. (pickup coil and charging
coil)No good→
Replace.
OK↓
Check neutral switch. No good→Repair or replace.
OK↓
Replace CDI unit.
Dynamic spark tester:
YM-34487
Ignition checker:
90890-06754
Pocket tester:
YU-3112-C/90890-03112

6-4
IGNITION SYSTEM
SPARK GAP TEST
1. Disconnect the ignition coil from
spark plug.
2. Remove the ignition coil cap.
3. Connect the dynamic spark tester
"1" (ignition checker "2") as
shown.
• Ignition coil "3"
• Spark plug "4"
A. For USA and CDN
B. Except for USA and CDN
4. Kick the kickstarter crank.
5. Check the ignition spark gap.
6. Start engine, and increase spark
gap until misfire occurs. (for USA
and CDN only)
CHECKING THE COUPLERS,
LEADS AND IGNITION COIL
CONNECTION
1. Check:
• Couplers and leads connection
Rust/dust/looseness/short-circuit
→Repair or replace.
• Ignition coil and spark plug as
they are fitted
Push in the ignition coil until it
closely contacts the spark plug
hole in the cylinder head cover.CHECKING THE ENGINE STOP
SWITCH
1. Inspect:
• Engine stop switch conduction
Not conductive while it is pushed→
Replace.
Conductive while it is freed→Re-
place.
Set the tester selection position to "Ω
× 1".
CHECKING THE IGNITION COIL
1. Remove the ignition coil cap.
2. Inspect:
• Primary coil resistance
Out of specification→Replace.3. Inspect:
• Secondary coil resistance
Out of specification→Replace.
4. Inspect:
• Sealed portion of ignition coil "a"
• Spark plug terminal pin "b"
• Threaded portion of spark plug "c"
Wear →Replace.
CHECKING THE CDI MAGNETO
1. Inspect:
• Pickup coil resistance
Out of specification→Replace. Minimum spark gap:
6.0 mm (0.24 in)
Tester (+) lead→Black/White lead
"1"
Tester (-) lead→Black lead "2"
Result
Conductive (while the
engine stop switch is
pushed)
Tester (+) lead→Orange lead "1"
Tester (-) lead→Black lead "2"
Primary
coil resis-
tanceTester se-
lector posi-
tion
0.08–0.10
Ω at 20 °C
(68 °F) Ω × 1
/W BB
Tester (+) lead→Orange lead "1"
Tester (-) lead→Spark plug termi-
nal "2"
Secondary
coil resis-
tanceTester se-
lector posi-
tion
4.6–6.8
kΩat 20 °C
(68 °F) kΩ × 1
Tester (+) lead→Red lead "1"
Tester (-) lead→White lead "2"
Pickup coil
resistanceTester se-
lector posi-
tion
248-372 Ω
at 20 °C (68
°F)Ω ×100
B WBr
GP
R

6-5
IGNITION SYSTEM
2. Inspect:
• Charging coil 1 resistance
Out of specification→Replace.
3. Inspect:
• Charging coil 2 resistance
Out of specification→Replace.CHECKING THE NEUTRAL
SWITCH
1. Inspect:
• Neutral switch conduction
Not conductive while it is in neutral→
Replace.
Conductive while it is engaged→Re-
place.
Set the tester selection position to "Ω
× 1".
CHECKING THE CDI UNIT
Check all electrical components. If no
fault is found, replace the CDI unit.
Then check the electrical compo-
nents again. Tester (+) lead→Brown lead "1"
Tester (-) lead→Green lead "2"
Charging
coil 1 resis-
tanceTester se-
lector posi-
tion
720-1,080
Ω at 20 °C
(68 °F)Ω ×100
Tester (+) lead→Pink lead "1"
Tester (-) lead→Black lead "2"
Charging
coil 2 resis-
tanceTester se-
lector posi-
tion
44-66 Ω at
20 °C (68
°F)Ω ×10
B WBr
GP
R
B WBr
GP
R
Tester (+) lead→Sky blue lead "1"
Tester (-) lead→Ground "2"
Result
Conductive (while gear
is in neutral)