2012 YAMAHA YFM250R engine

8-7
8
14*Chassis fasteners 
Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
15 *Shock absorber as-
semblies 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary. √√√
16 *Steering shaft Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
17 *Steering system 
Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.
 Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
18 Engine oil 
Change.
 Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
19 Engine oil filter ele-
ment 
Replace. √√√
20 *Moving parts and
cables 
Lubricate. √√√√
21 *Throttle lever 
Check operation.
 Check throttle lever free play, and adjust if neces-
sary.
 Lubricate cable and lever housing. √√√√√
22 *Front and rear brake
switches 
Check operation and correct if necessary. √√√√√
23 *Lights and switches 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Adjust headlight beams. √√√√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km
(mi) 320
(200) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U1BT62E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

8-9
8
EBU23213Checking the spark plug The spark plug is an important engine component,
which is easy to check. 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.
To remove the spark plug1. Remove the spark plug cap. 2. Remove the spark plug as shown, with the
spark plug wrench included in the owner ’s tool
kit.
To check the spark plug 1. Check that the porcelain insulator around the center electrode of the spark plug is a medi-
um-to-light tan (the ideal color when the ATV
is ridden normally).
TIPIf the spark plug shows a distinctly different color,
the engine could be operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ATV.
1. Spark plug cap
1
1. Spark plug wrench
1
U1BT62E0.book Page 9 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

8-11
8
EBU28957Engine 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 must be replaced at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
To check the engine oil level1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Check the engine oil level on a cold engine.TIPIf the engine was started before checking the oil
level, be sure to warm up the engine sufficiently,
and then wait at least ten minutes until the oil set-
tles for an accurate reading.3. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then 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 minimumlevel mark, add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type to raise it to the correct level.
NOTICE: Be sure the engine oil is at the
correct level, otherwise engine damage
may result.
[ECB00851]
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
2
34 1
U1BT62E0.book Page 11 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

8-12
8
6. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler hole, and
then tighten the engine oil filler cap.
To change the engine oil (with or without oil fil-
ter element replacement) 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for several min- utes, 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, and then re- move the engine oil drain bolt and its gasket to
drain the oil from the crankcase.
TIPSkip steps 5 –7 if the oil filter element is not being
replaced.5. Remove the oil filter element cover by remov- ing the bolts, and then remove the oil filter el-
ement and the O-rings.
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
12
1. Oil filter element cover
2. Bolt
1
2
U1BT62E0.book Page 12 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

8-13
86. Install a new oil filter element and new O-
rings.
TIPMake sure that the O-rings are properly seated.7. Install the oil filter element cover by installingthe bolts, and then tighten them to the speci-
fied torque. 8. Install the engine oil drain bolt and its new
gasket, and then tighten the bolt to the speci-
fied torque.
9. Refill with the specified amount of the recom- mended engine oil, and then install and tight-
en the engine oil filler cap.
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any parts after the
engine and exhaust system have cooled down.
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
Tightening torque:Engine oil drain bolt:20 Nm (2.0 m ·kgf, 14 ft· lbf)
Recommended oil: See page 10-1.
Oil quantity: Without oil filter element replacement:1.25 L (1.32 US qt, 1.10 Imp.qt)
With oil filter element replacement: 1.35 L (1.43 US qt, 1.19 Imp.qt)
U1BT62E0.book Page 13 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

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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.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.
11. Turn the engine off, wait at least ten minutes, and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.EBU23707Cleaning the air filter element The air filter element should be cleaned at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Clean or, if necessary, replace
the air filter element more frequently if you are
riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
TIPThere is a check hose at the bottom of the air filter
case. If dust or water collects in this hose, empty
the hose and clean the air filter element and air fil-
ter case.1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the seat. (See page 4-11.)
3. Remove the air filter case cover by unhookingthe holders.1. Air filter case check hose
1
U1BT62E0.book Page 14 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

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8. Wash the sponge material gently but thor-
oughly in solvent. WARNING! Always use
parts cleaning solvent to clean the sponge
material. Never use low-flash-point sol-
vents or gasoline to clean the sponge ma-
terial because the engine could catch fire
or explode.
[EWB01941]
9. Squeeze the excess solvent out of the sponge material and let it dry. NOTICE: Do not twist
the sponge material when squeezing it.
[ECB00441]
10. Check the sponge material and replace it if damaged.
11. Apply Yamaha foam air filter oil or other qual- ity foam air filter oil to the sponge material.TIPThe sponge material should be wet but not drip-
ping.12. Pull the sponge material over the air filter ele-ment frame.
13. Apply all-purpose grease to the air filter ele- ment seat.
1. Sponge material
2. Air filter element frame
1
2
U1BT62E0.book Page 16 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM

8-17
814. Install the washer onto the air filter element
frame, and then insert the wing bolt into the
hole in the air filter element frame. NOTICE:
Be sure to install the washer with its
curved side facing outward as shown.
[ECB00453]
15. Insert the air filter element into the air filtercase, and then tighten the wing bolt. NOTICE:
Make sure that the air filter element is
properly seated in the air filter case. Never
operate the engine with the air filter ele-
ment removed. This will allow unfiltered air
to enter the engine, causing rapid engine
wear and possible engine damage. Addi-
tionally, operation without the air filter ele-
ment will affect carburetor jetting with
subsequent poor performance and possi-
ble engine overheating.
[ECB00461]
16. Install the air filter case cover by hooking the holders onto the air filter case.
1. Air filter element seat
1
1. Washer
1
U1BT62E0.book Page 17 Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:06 PM