2012 YAMAHA XJ6F Owners Manual

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-11
6
2. Install the bolt and the quick fas-
tener.
EAU19643
Checkin g the spark plu gsThe spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be
checked periodically, preferably by a
Yamaha dealer. Since heat and depos-
its will cause any spark plug to slowly
erode, they should be removed and
checked in accordance with the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication
chart. In addition, the condition of the
spark plugs can reveal the condition of
the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the
center 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 engine should have the same
color. If any spark plug shows a dis-
tinctly different color, the engine could
be operating improperly. Do not at-
tempt to diagnose such problems
yourself. Instead, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of elec-
trode 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.
Specified
spark plu g:
NGK/CR9E
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plu g g ap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Ti ghtenin g torque:
Spark plug: 13 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-12
6
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
specified torque as soon as possible.
EAU47552
Engine oil an d oil filter car-
tri dgeThe 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 en gine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on the center- stand. 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.
4. Remove the engine oil dipstick and wipe it clean, insert it back
into the 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 theminimum level mark, remove the
oil filler cap, and then add suffi-
cient oil of the recommended type
to raise it to the correct level.1. Engine oil dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1. Engine oil filler cap
1
2
3
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-13
6
6. Insert and tighten the engine oil
dipstick, and then install and tight-
en the oil filler cap.
To chan ge the en gine oil (with or
without oil filter cartri dge replace-
ment) 1. Remove cowling B. (See page 6-8.)
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 withan oil filter wrench.
TIPAn oil filter wrench is available at a
Yamaha dealer.6. Apply a thin coat of clean engineoil 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 cartridgewith an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
1. Oil filter cartridge
2. Oil filter wrench
1
2
1
2
1. O-ring
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-14
68. Install the engine oil drain bolt andits 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.
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-
tem have cooled down.NOTICE
ECA11621
In or der to prevent clutch slip-
pa ge (since the en gine oil also
lu bricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a hi gh-
er quality than specifie d. In
a ddition, do not use oils la beled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
hi gher.
 Make sure that no forei gn 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,
immediately 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
ECA10402
If the oil level warnin g lig ht flickers
or remains on even if the oil level is
correct, immed iately turn the en gine
off an d have a Yamaha d ealer check
the vehicle.11. Turn the engine off, wait a few minutes until the oil settles, and
then check the oil level and cor-
rect it if necessary.
12. Install the cowling.
1. Torque wrenchTi ghtenin g torque:
Oil filter cartridge: 17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Ti ghtenin g torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf, 31 ft·lbf)
1
Recommen ded en gine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity: Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:2.50 L (2.64 US qt, 2.20 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
2.80 L (2.96 US qt, 2.46 Imp.qt)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-15
6
EAU20071
CoolantThe 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.
EAU50543
To check the coolant level1. Place the vehicle on the center- stand.
2. Remove cowling A. (See page 6-8.)TIPThe coolant level must be
checked on a cold engine since
the level varies with engine tem-
perature.
 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.3. Check the coolant level in the
coolant reservoir.TIPThe coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the coolant is at or below theminimum level mark, remove
cowling C. (See page 6-8.)
5. Remove the coolant reservoir breather hose from the guide, and
then remove the coolant reservoir
cap. WARNING! Remove only
the coolant reservoir cap. Never
attempt to remove the ra diator
cap when the en gine is hot.
[EWA15162]
6. Add coolant to the maximum level
mark, and then install the coolant
reservoir cap. NOTICE: If coolant
is not availab le, use distille d wa-
ter or soft tap water instea d. Do
not use har d water or salt water
since it is harmful to the en gine.
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possi ble, other-
wise the coolin g system will not
b e protecte d a gainst frost an d
corrosion. If water has been
a dd ed to the coolant, have a
Yamaha dealer check the anti-
freeze content of the coolant as
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Coolant reservoir breather hose
3. Guide
3
1
2
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-16
6soon as possi
ble, otherwise the
effectiveness of the coolant will
b e re duce d.
[ECA10473]
7. Route the coolant reservoir
breather hose through the guide
as shown.
8. Install the cowlings.
EAU50742
To chan ge the coolant
1. Place the vehicle on the center- stand and let the engine cool if
necessary. 2. Remove cowlings A and C. (See
page 6-8.)
3. Place a container under the en- gine to collect the used coolant.
4. Remove the radiator cap. WARNING! Never attempt to re-
move the ra diator cap when the
en gine is hot.
[EWA10382]
5. Remove the coolant reservoir
breather hose from the guide, and
then remove the coolant reservoir
cap. 6. Remove the coolant reservoir cov-
er and coolant reservoir by remov-
ing the bolts.
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to
the maximum level mark):0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)1. Coolant reservoir breather hose
2. Guide
2
1
1. Radiator cap
1
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Coolant reservoir breather hose
3. Guide
1. Bolt
2. Coolant reservoir cover
3. Coolant reservoir
3
1
2
23
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-17
6
7. Drain the coolant from the coolant
reservoir by turning it upside
down.
8. Remove the coolant drain bolt and its gasket to drain the cooling sys-
tem.
9. After the coolant is completely drained, thoroughly flush the cool-
ing system with clean tap water.
10. Install the coolant drain bolt and its new gasket, and then tighten
the bolt to the specified torque. 11. Install the coolant reservoir and its
cover by placing them in the origi-
nal position, and then installing the
bolts.
12. Pour the specified amount of the recommended coolant into the ra-
diator and reservoir.
13. Install the radiator cap.
14. Install the coolant reservoir cap.
15. Start the engine, let it idle for sev- eral minutes, and then turn it off.
16. Remove the radiator cap to check the coolant level in the radiator. If
necessary, add sufficient coolant
until it reaches the top of the radi-
ator, and then install the radiator
cap. 17. Check the coolant level in the res-
ervoir. If necessary, remove the
coolant reservoir cap, add coolant
to the maximum level mark, and
then install the cap.
18. Route the coolant reservoir breather hose through the guide
as shown.
19. Start the engine, and then check the vehicle for coolant leakage. If
coolant is leaking, have a Yamaha
dealer check the cooling system.
20. Install the cowlings.
1. Coolant drain bolt
2. GasketTi ghtenin g torque:
Coolant drain bolt: 10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
2
1
Antifreeze/water mixture ratio:
1:1
Recommen ded antifreeze:
High-quality ethylene glycol anti-
freeze containing corrosion inhibi-
tors for aluminum engines
Coolant quantity:
Radiator (including all routes):2.00 L (2.11 US qt, 1.76 Imp.qt)
Coolant reservoir (up to the maxi-
mum level mark): 0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
1. Coolant reservoir breather hose
2. Guide
2
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-18
6
EAU32888
Replacing the air filter ele-
mentThe air filter element should be re-
placed at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart. Replace the air filter element
more frequently if you are riding in un-
usually wet or dusty areas.
1. Remove the seat. (See page 3-18.)
2. Remove panels B and C. (See page 6-8.)
3. Remove the fuel tank bolts, and then lift the fuel tank away from
the air filter case.
4. Remove the air filter case cover by removing the screws. NOTICE:
When removin g the air filter case cover,
be careful not to al-
low forei gn o bjects to d rop into
the air intake manifol d.
[ECA12882]
5. Pull the air filter element out. 6. Insert a new air filter element into
the air filter case. NOTICE: Make
sure that the air filter element is
properly seate d in the air filter
case. The en gine shoul d never
b e operated without the air filter
element installe d, otherwise the
piston(s) an d/or cylin der(s) may
b ecome excessively worn.
[ECA10482]
7. Install the air filter case cover by
installing the screws.
8. Place the fuel tank in its original position. Make sure that the fuel
hoses are properly connected and
routed, and are not pinched. Be
sure to place the hoses in their
original position. WARNING! Be-
fore placin g the fuel tank in the
ori ginal position, make sure that
all hoses (i.e., fuel hose, fuel
tank breather hose, fuel tank
overflow hose) are not dam-
a g ed , that they are properly
connected and route d, an d that
they are not pinche d. If any hose
is damag ed , have a Yamaha
d ealer replace the hose before
1. Fuel tank bolt
1
1. Air filter case cover
2. Screw
1. Air filter element
2. Air intake manifold
12
2
2
2
1
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