2016 YAMAHA YFZ450R maintenance

8-14
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 speci-
fied torque as soon as possible. EBU2949AEngine oil and oil filter elementThe 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 60
°C (140 °F), let it continue to idle for ten sec-
onds 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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8-20
8
15. Install the engine guard by installing the bolts,
and then tighten them to the specified torque.
NOTICE: Be sure to apply LOCTITE
® to the
engine guard bolts before installing them.
[ECB00372]
EBU29861
CoolantThe coolant level should be checked before each
ride. In addition, the coolant must be changed at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. Have a Yamaha dealer
change the coolant. WARNING! Never attempt
to remove the radiator cap when the engine is
hot.
[EWB02671]
EBU27945
To check the coolant level 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture. 2. Check the coolant level in the coolant reser- voir.TIPThe coolant should be between the minimum and
maximum level marks.
Tightening torque:Engine guard bolt:7 Nm (0.7 m·kgf, 5.1 ft·lbf)
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
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8-21
83. If the coolant is at or below the minimum level
mark, remove the coolant reservoir cap, add
coolant or distilled water to the maximum lev-
el mark, and then install the reservoir cap.
NOTICE: If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water instead.
Do not use hard water or salt water since
they are harmful to the engine. If water has
been used instead of coolant, replace it
with coolant as soon as possible, other-
wise the cooling system will not be pro-
tected against frost and corrosion. If water
has been added to the coolant, have a
Yamaha dealer check the antifreeze con-
tent of the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of the coolant
will be reduced.
[ECB01012]
TIP The radiator fan is automatically switched on or
off according to the coolant temperature in the
radiator. 
If the engine overheats, see page 8-52 for fur-
ther instructions.
EBU26808Cleaning the air filter elementThe 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 rid-
ing 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.
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maxi-
mum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
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8-27
84. Install the gasket, tailpipe, and retainer and
align the bolt holes.
5. Install the bolts and tighten them to the spec- ified torque.
6. Install the tailpipe cover and align the bolt holes.
7. Install the bolts and tighten them to the spec- ified torque.
WARNING
EWB02341Do not start the engine when cleaning the
spark arrester, otherwise it could cause injury
to the eyes, burns, carbon monoxide poison-
ing, possibly leading to death, and start a fire.
Always let the exhaust system cool prior to
touching exhaust components. EBU29703Adjusting the throttle lever free playThe throttle lever free play should be checked and,
if necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
The throttle lever free play should measure 2.0–4.0
mm (0.08–0.16 in) as shown. Periodically check
the throttle lever free play and, if necessary, adjust
it as follows.1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut.
1. Tailpipe
2. Spark arresterTightening torque: Retainer bolt:10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
1
2
Tightening torque:Tailpipe cover bolt:8 Nm (0.8 m·kgf, 5.8 ft·lbf)
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8
3. To increase the throttle lever free play, turn
the throttle lever free play adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a). To decrease the throttle lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).
4. Tighten the locknut.
5. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
EBU24061Valve clearanceThe valve clearance changes with use, resulting in
improper air-fuel mixture and/or engine noise. To
prevent this from occurring, the valve clearance must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
EBU29602BrakesReplacement of brake components requires pro-
fessional knowledge. Brake service should be
performed by a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB02572Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could lead to a loss in braking ability
and an accident. EBU24131Checking the front and rear brake padsThe front and rear brake pads must be checked
for wear at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.EBU29561Front brake pads
Each brake pad is provided with wear indicator
grooves, which allow you to check the brake pad
wear without having to disassemble the brake. To
check the brake pad wear, check the wear indica-
1. Rubber cover
2. Throttle lever free play adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Throttle lever free play
32
4
(a)(b)
1
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8
Front brake
Rear brake
TIPTo check the rear brake fluid level, remove the
seat. (See page 4-10.)
WARNING
EWB02721Improper maintenance can result in loss of
braking ability. Observe these precautions:

Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to enter
the brake system, reducing braking perfor-
mance.
 Clean the filler cap before removing. Use
only DOT 4 brake fluid from a sealed contain-
er.
 Use only the specified brake fluid; otherwise,
the rubber seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage.
 Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Add-
ing a brake fluid other than DOT 4 may result
in a harmful chemical reaction.
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
1
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4
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8-31
8
Be careful that water does not enter the
brake fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will
significantly lower the boiling point of the flu-
id and may result in vapor lock.
NOTICEECB01161Brake fluid may damage painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid im-
mediately. As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. A low brake fluid
level may indicate worn brake pads and/or brake
system leakage; therefore, be sure to check the
brake pads for wear and the brake system for
leakage. If the brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer check the cause be-
fore further riding.EBU24293Changing the brake fluidHave a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. In addition, have the oil seals of the master cylinders and calipers as well as the
brake hoses replaced at the intervals listed below
or whenever they are damaged or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two years.
 Brake hoses: Replace every four years.
EBU24395Checking the front brake lever free
playThe brake lever free play must be checked at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. The brake lever should have
no free play as shown. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.1. No brake lever free play
1
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8
EBU24614Checking the brake pedal heightThe brake pedal height must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
The top of the brake pedal should be positioned
11.7 mm (0.46 in) below the top of the footrest as
shown. If the brake pedal is not positioned as
specified, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.EBU24716Adjusting the parking brake free playThe parking brake free play must be checked and,
if necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.Cable length “A” should measure 47–51 mm
(1.85–2.01 in). Adjust the parking brake free play
as follows.
1. Release the parking brake by moving the parking brake lever to the right.
2. Fully loosen the locknut and the adjusting bolt at the rear brake caliper.
3. Slide the rubber cover back at the brake ca- ble.
4. Loosen the locknut.1. Brake pedal height
1
1. Adjusting bolt
2. Cable length “A”
3. Locknut
1
2
3
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