2012 YAMAHA WR 250F engine

5-1
RADIATOR
ENGINE
This section is intended for those who have basic knowledge and skill concerning the servicing of Yamaha motorcycles
(e.g., Yamaha dealers, service engineers, etc.) Those who have little knowledge and skill concerning servicing are request-
ed not to undertake inspection, adjustment, disassembly, or reassembly only by reference to this manual. It may lead to
servicing trouble and mechanical damage.
RADIATOR
REMOVING THE RADIATOR
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks Drain the coolant. Refer to "CHECKING THE COOLANT" sec-
tion in the CHAPTER 3.
Seat, fuel tank and left side cover Refer to "REMOVING THE SEAT, FUEL
TANK AND SIDE COVERS" section in the
CHAPTER 3.
1 Radiator guard 2
2 Radiator hose clamp 10 Only loosening.
3 Radiator hose 1 1
4 Left radiator 1
5 Radiator hose 3 1
6 Radiator pipe 2 1
7 Radiator hose 5 1

5-3
RADIATOR
HANDLING NOTE
Do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine and radiator are
hot. Scalding hot fluid and steam
may be blown out under pressure,
which could cause serious injury.
When the engine has cooled, open
the radiator cap by the following
procedure:
Place a thick rag, like a towel, over
the radiator cap, slowly rotate the
cap counterclockwise to the de-
tent. This procedure allows any re-
sidual pressure to escape. When
the hissing sound has stopped,
press down on the cap while turn-
ing counterclockwise and remove
it.
CHECKING THE RADIATOR
1. Inspect:
• Radiator core "1"
Obstruction→Blow out with com-
pressed air through rear of the ra-
diator.
Bent fin→Repair/replace.
INSTALLING THE RADIATOR
1. Install:
• O-ring "1"
• Radiator pipe 1 "2"
• Bolt (radiator pipe) "3"
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.
2. Install:
• Catch tank hose "1"
• Radiator hose 2 "2"
• Radiator hose 3 "3"
• Radiator pipe 2 "4"
• Radiator hose 5 "5"
• Radiator hose 4 "6"
To right radiator "7".
3. Install:
• Right radiator "1"
• Bolt (right radiator) "2"
• Radiator hose 5 "3"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2.
4. Install:
• Left radiator "1"
• Bolt (left radiator) "2"
• Radiator hose 1 "3"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2.5. Tighten:
• Radiator hose clamp "4"
6. Install:
• Radiator guard "1"
First fit the inner hook portion "a" and
then the outer one "b" onto the radia-
tor.
7. Install:
• Catch tank "1"
• Bolt (catch tank) "2"
• Bolt (catch tank) "3"
• Catch tank hose "4"
• Catch tank breather hose "5"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2. Bolt (radiator pipe):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (right radiator):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (left radiator):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Radiator hose 1:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Radiator hose clamp:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Bolt (catch tank):
7 Nm (0.7 m•kg, 5.1
ft•lb)
Bolt (catch tank):
16 Nm (1.6 m•kg, 11
ft•lb)

5-7
CARBURETOR
HANDLING NOTE
Do not loosen the screw (throttle
position sensor) "1" except when
changing the throttle position sen-
sor due to failure because it will
cause a drop in engine perfor-
mance.
REMOVING THE PILOT SCREW
(For EUROPE)
1. Remove:
• Pilot screw "1"
To optimize the fuel flow at a small
throttle opening, each machine's pilot
screw has been individually set at the
factory. Before removing the pilot
screw, turn it in fully and count the
number of turns. Record this number
as the factory-set number of turns
out.
CHECKING THE CARBURETOR
1. Inspect:
• Carburetor body
Contamination→Clean.
• Use a petroleum based solvent for
cleaning. Blow out all passages and
jets with compressed air.
• Never use a wire.
2. Inspect:
•Main jet "1"
• Pilot jet "2"
• Needle jet "3"
• Starter jet "4"
•Pilot air jet "5"
• Leak jet "6"
• Main air jet "7"
Damage→Replace.
Contamination→Clean.
• Use a petroleum based solvent for
cleaning. Blow out all passages and
jets with compressed air.
• Never use a wire.
CHECKING THE NEEDLE VALVE
1. Inspect:
• Needle valve "1"
• Valve seat "2"
Grooved wear "a" →Replace.
Dust "b" →Clean.
• Filter "c"
Clogged→Clean.
CHECKING THE THROTTLE
VALVE
1. Check:
• Free movement
Stick→Repair or replace.
Insert the throttle valve "1" into the
carburetor body, and check for free
movement.
CHECKING THE JET NEEDLE
1. Inspect:
• Jet needle "1"
Bends/wear→Replace.
• Clip groove
Free play exists/wear→Replace.
MEASURING AND ADJUSTING
THE FLOAT HEIGHT
1. Measure:
• Float height "a"
Out of specification→Adjust.
Measurement and adjustment
steps:
a. Hold the carburetor in an upside
down position.
• Slowly tilt the carburetor in the op-
posite direction, then take the mea-
surement when the needle valve
aligns with the float arm.
• If the carburetor is level, the weight
of the float will push in the needle
valve, resulting in an incorrect mea-
surement.
b. Measure the distance between
the mating surface of the float
chamber and top of the float using
a vernier calipers.
The float arm should be resting on the
needle valve, but not compressing
the needle valve.
c. If the float height is not within
specification, inspect the valve
seat and needle valve.
d. If either is worn, replace them
both.
Float height:
8.0 mm (0.31 in)

5-17
CAMSHAFTS
4. Measure:
• Camshaft-to-cap clearance
Out of specification→Measure
camshaft outside diameter.
Measurement steps:
a. Install the camshaft onto the cylin-
der head.
b. Position a strip of Plastigauge
®
"1" onto the camshaft.
c. Install the clip, dowel pins and
camshaft caps.
• Tighten the bolts (camshaft cap) in
a crisscross pattern from innermost
to outer caps.
• Do not turn the camshaft when
measuring clearance with the
Plastigauge
®.
d. Remove the camshaft caps and
measure the width of the Plasti-
gauge
® "1".
5. Measure:
• Camshaft outside diameter "a"
Out of specification→Replace the
camshaft.
Within specification→Replace
camshaft case and camshaft
caps as a set.CHECKING THE CAMSHAFT
SPROCKET
1. Inspect:
• Camshaft sprocket "1"
Wear/damage→Replace the
camshaft assembly and timing
chain as a set.
CHECKING THE
DECOMPRESSION SYSTEM
1. Check:
• Decompression system
Checking steps:
a. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam "1" moves
smoothly.
b. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam lever pin "2" proj-
ects from the camshaft.
CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN
TENSIONER
1. Check:
• While pressing the tensioner rod
lightly with fingers, use a thin
screwdriver "1" and wind the ten-
sioner rod up fully clockwise.
• When releasing the screwdriver
by pressing lightly with fingers,
make sure that the tensioner rod
will come out smoothly.
• If not, replace the tensioner as-
sembly.INSTALLING THE CAMSHAFT
1. Install:
• Exhaust camshaft "1"
• Intake camshaft "2"
Installation steps:
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclock-
wise with a wrench.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the camshafts.
• Apply the engine oil on the decom-
pression system.
• Squeezing the decompression le-
ver allows the crankshaft to be
turned easily.
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.
c. Fit the timing chain "3" onto both
camshaft sprockets and install the
camshafts on the cylinder head. Camshaft-to-cap clear-
ance:
0.028–0.062 mm
(0.0011–0.0024 in)
:0.08 mm (0.003
in)
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Camshaft outside diame-
ter:
21.959–21.972 mm
(0.8645–0.8650 in)

5-19
CYLINDER HEAD
CYLINDER HEAD
REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Seat and fuel tank Refer to "REMOVING THE SEAT, FUEL
TANK AND SIDE COVERS" section in the
CHAPTER 3.
Exhaust pipe and silencerRefer to "REMOVING THE EXHAUST PIPE
AND SILENCER" section in the CHAPTER 3.
Radiator hose 1 Disconnect at cylinder head side.
Carburetor Refer to "CARBURETOR" section.
Air cut-off valve assembly Refer to "AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM" section.
Camshaft Refer to "CAMSHAFTS" section.
Upper engine bracket Refer to "ENGINE REMOVAL" section.
1 Radiator pipe 1
2 Oil delivery pipe 1
3Nut 2
4 Bolt [L = 135 mm (5.31 in)] 2
5 Bolt [L = 145 mm (5.71 in)] 2
6 Cylinder head 1
7 Timing chain guide (exhaust side) 1

5-24
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
h. Press the valve through the valve
guide and onto the valve seat to
make a clear pattern.
i. Measure the valve seat width
again. If the valve seat width is out
of specification, reface and relap
the valve seat.
CHECKING THE VALVE SPRINGS
1. Measure:
• Valve spring free length "a"
Out of specification→Replace.
2. Measure:
• Compressed spring force "a"
Out of specification→Replace.
b. Installed length3. Measure:
• Spring tilt "a"
Out of specification→Replace.
CHECKING THE VALVE LIFTERS
1. Inspect:
• Valve lifter
Scratches/damage→Replace
both lifters and cylinder head.
INSTALLING THE VALVES
1. Apply:
• Molybdenum disulfide oil
Onto the valve stem and valve
stem seal.
2. Install:
• Valve "1"
• Valve spring seat "2"
• Valve stem seal "3"
• Valve spring "4"
• Valve spring retainer "5"
To cylinder head.
• Make sure that each valve is in-
stalled in its original place, also re-
ferring to the painted color as
follows.
Intake (middle) "a": Orange
Intake (right/left) "b": Green
Exhaust "c": Purple
• Install the valve springs with the
larger pitch "d" facing upward.
e. Smaller pitch
3. Install:
• Valve cotter
While compressing the valve spring
with a valve spring compressor "1" in-
stall the valve cotters.
4. To secure the valve cotters onto
the valve stem, lightly tap the
valve tip with a piece of wood.
Hitting the valve tip with excessive
force could damage the valve.
5. Install:
• Adjusting pad "1"
• Valve lifter "2"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the valve stem end.
• Apply the engine oil on the valve lift-
ers.
• Valve lifter must turn smoothly
when rotated with a finger.
• Be careful to reinstall valve lifters
and pads in their original place.
Free length (valve
spring):
Intake:
36.58 mm (1.44 in)
: 36.81 mm
(1.45 in)
Exhaust:
35.58 mm (1.40 in)
: 36.54 mm
(1.44 in)
Compressed spring
force:
Intake:
103–118 N at 29.13
mm (10.50–12.09 kg at
29.13 mm,
23.15–26.66 lb at 1.15
in)
Exhaust:
126–144 N at 29.30
mm (12.85–14.68 kg at
29.30 mm,
28.32–32.37 lb at 1.15
in)
Spring tilt limit:
Intake:
2.5°/1.6 mm (0.063 in)
Exhaust:
2.5°/1.6 mm (0.063 in)
Valve spring compres-
sor:
YM-4019/90890-04019

5-27
CYLINDER AND PISTON
a. 10 mm (0.39 in)
3. Measure:
• Ring end gap
Out of specification→Replace.
You cannot measure the end gap on
the expander spacer of the oil control
ring. If the oil control ring rails show
excessive gap, replace all three rings.
CHECKING THE PISTON PIN
1. Inspect:
• Piston pin
Blue discoloration/grooves→Re-
place, then inspect the lubrication
system.
2. Measure:
• Piston pin-to-piston clearance
Measurement steps:
a. Measure the outside diameter
(piston pin) "a".
If out of specification, replace the
piston pin.b. Measure the inside diameter (pis-
ton) "b".
c. Calculate the piston pin-to-piston
clearance with the following for-
mula.
d. If out of specification, replace the
piston.
INSTALLING THE PISTON RING
AND PISTON
1. Install:
•Piston ring
Onto the piston.
• Be sure to install the piston rings so
that the manufacturer's marks or
numbers are located on the upper
side of the rings.
• Lubricate the piston and piston
rings liberally with engine oil.
2. Position:
•Top ring
• 2nd ring
• Oil ring
Offset the piston ring end gaps as
shown.a. Top ring end
b. 2nd ring end
c. Oil ring end (upper)
d. Oil ring
e. Oil ring end (lower)
3. Install:
• Piston "1"
• Piston pin "2"
• Piston pin clip "3"
• Apply engine oil onto the piston pin
and piston.
• Be sure that the arrow mark "a" on
the piston points to the exhaust side
of the engine.
• Before installing the piston pin clip,
cover the crankcase with a clean
rag to prevent the piston pin clip
from falling into the crankcase.
• Install the piston pin clips with their
ends facing downward.End gap:
Standard
Top
ring0.15–0.25 mm
(0.006–0.010 in)0.50
mm
(0.020
in)
2nd
ring0.30–0.45 mm
(0.012–0.018 in)0.80
mm
(0.031
in)
Oil
ring0.10–0.40 mm
(0.004–0.016 in)—
Outside diameter (piston
pin):
15.991–16.000 mm
(0.6296–0.6299 in)
Inside diameter (piston):
16.002–16.013 mm
(0.6300–0.6304 in)
Piston pin-to-piston clearance =
Inside diameter (piston) "b" -
Outside diameter (piston pin)
"a"
Piston pin-to-piston
clearance:
0.002–0.022 mm
(0.0001–0.0009 in)
:0.07 mm (0.003
in)
New

5-28
CYLINDER AND PISTON
INSTALLING THE CYLINDER
1. Lubricate:
•Piston
• Piston ring
• Cylinder
Apply a liberal coating of engine oil.
2. Install:
• Dowel pin "1"
• O-ring "2"
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.
3. Install:
• Cylinder gasket "1"
• Cylinder "2"
Install the cylinder with one hand
while compressing the piston rings
with the other hand.
• Pass the timing chain "3"
through the timing chain cavity.
• Be careful not to damage the tim-
ing chain guide "4" during instal-
lation.
4. Install:
• Bolt (cylinder) "5"
Bolt (cylinder):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)