2017 YAMAHA YZF-R6 Owners Manual

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-40
7
EAU25872
Trou bleshootin g
Although Yamaha motorcycles receive
a thorough inspection before shipment
from the factory, trouble may occur
during operation. Any problem in the
fuel, compression, or ignition systems,
for example, can cause poor starting
and loss of power.
The following troubleshooting charts
represent quick and easy procedures
for checking these vital systems your-
self. However, should your motorcycle
require any repair, take it to a Yamaha
dealer, whose skilled technicians have
the necessary tools, experience, and
know-how to service the motorcycle
properly.
Use only genuine Yamaha replace-
ment parts. Imitation parts may look
like Yamaha parts, but they are often
inferior, have a shorter service life and
can lead to expensive repair bills.
WARNING
EWA15142
When checkin g the fuel system, d o
not smoke, an d make sure there are
no open flames or sparks in the ar-
ea, inclu din g pilot li ghts from water
heaters or furnaces. Gasoline or
g asoline vapors can i gnite or ex-
plo de, causin g severe injury or prop-
erty damag e.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-41
7
EAU63470
Trou bleshootin g charts
Startin g pro blems or poor en gine performance
1. FuelThere is enough fuel.
There is no fuel.
Check the battery.
Supply fuel.
The engine turns over
quickly.
The engine turns over
slowly.
The engine does not
start.
Check the battery.
Wipe off with a dry
cloth and correct the
spark plug gaps, or
replace the spark
plugs.
Check the battery
lead connections, and
have a Yamaha dealer
charge the battery if
necessary.
2. BatteryThe battery is good.
The engine does not
start.
Check the ignition.
3. IgnitionWetOperate the electric
starter.
Dry
There is compression.
There is no
compression.
The engine does not start.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
The engine does not
start.
Check the
compression.Have a Yamaha
dealer check the
vehicle.
Remove the spark
plugs and check
the electrodes.
Operate the electric
starter.
Operate the electric
starter.
Check the fuel level
in the fuel tank.
4. Compression
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-42
7
En
gine overheatin g
WARNING
EWAT1041
Do not remove the rad iator cap when the engine an d ra diator are hot.
Scal din g hot flui d an d steam may b e blown out un der pressure, which
coul d cause serious injury. Be sure to wait until the en gine has coole d.
 Place a thick ra g, like a towel, over the rad iator cap, and then slowly ro-
tate the cap counterclockwise to the d etent to allow any residual pres-
sure to escape. When the hissin g soun d has stopped , press down on the
cap while turnin g it counterclockwise, an d then remove the cap.
TIP
If coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily used instead, provided
that it is changed to the recommended coolant as soon as possible.
Wait until the engine
has cooled.
Check the coolant
level in the reservoir
and radiator.Add coolant.
(See TIP.)
The coolant level is
OK.
There is no leakage.
There is leakage.
The coolant level is
low.
Check the cooling
system for leakage.
Have a Yamaha
dealer check and
repair the cooling
system.
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again,
have a Yamaha dealer check and repair the cooling
system.
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
8-1
8
EAU37834
Matte color caution
NOTICE
ECA15193
Some mo dels are equipped with
matte colore d finishe d parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha dealer for
a d vice on what pro ducts to use be-
fore cleanin g the vehicle. Usin g a
b rush, harsh chemical prod ucts or
cleanin g compoun ds when cleanin g
these parts will scratch or damag e
their surface. Wax also shoul d not
b e applied to any matte colored fin-
ishe d parts.
EAU54721
Care
While the open design of a motorcycle
reveals the attractiveness of the tech-
nology, it also makes it more vulnera-
ble. Rust and corrosion can develop
even if high-quality components are
used. A rusty exhaust pipe may go un-
noticed on a car, however, it detracts
from the overall appearance of a mo-
torcycle. Frequent and proper care
does not only comply with the terms of
the warranty, but it will also keep your
motorcycle looking good, extend its
life and optimize its performance.
Before cleanin g
1. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and cov- ers as well as all electrical cou-
plers and connectors, including
the spark plug caps, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt, like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod-
ucts onto seals, gaskets, sprock-
ets, the drive chain and wheel
axles. Always rinse the dirt and
degreaser off with water.
Cleanin g
NOTICE
ECA11143
Avoi d usin g stron g aci dic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoke d
wheels. If such prod ucts are
use d on har d-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
8-2
8
fected
area any lon ger than in-
structed . Also, thorou ghly rinse
the area off with water, immed i-
ately dry it, an d then apply a cor-
rosion protection spray.
 Improper cleanin g can damag e
plastic parts (such as cowlin gs,
panels, win dshield s, head light
lenses, meter lenses, etc.) an d
the mufflers. Use only a soft,
clean cloth or spon ge with wa-
ter to clean plastic. However, if
the plastic parts cannot be thor-
ou ghly cleaned with water, di-
lute d mil d d eter gent with water
may be used . Be sure to rinse
off any d etergent resi due usin g
plenty of water, as it is harmful
to plastic parts.
 Do not use any harsh chemical
prod ucts on plastic parts or the
muffler. Be sure to avoi d usin g
cloths or spon ges which have
b een in contact with stron g or
a b rasive cleanin g prod ucts, sol-
vent or thinner, fuel ( gasoli n

e),
rust removers or inhi bitors,
b rake flui d, antifreeze or elec-
trolyte.
 Do not use hi gh-pressure wash-
ers or steam-jet cleaners since
they cause water seepag e and
d eterioration in the followin g ar-
eas: seals (of wheel an d swin g-
arm bearin gs, fork an d b rakes),
stora ge compartments, electric
components (couplers, connec-
tors, instruments, switches an d
lig hts), breather hoses an d
vents. 
For motorcycles equippe d with
a win dshiel d: Do not use stron g
cleaners or har d spon ges as
they will cause dullin g or
scratchin g. Some cleanin g
compoun ds for plastic may
leave scratches on the wind -
shiel d. Test the prod uct on a
small hidden part of the win d-
shiel d to make sure that it does
not leave any marks. If the win d-
shiel d is scratche d
, use a quality
plast i

c polishin g compoun d af-
ter washin g.
After normal use
Remove dirt with warm water, a mild
detergent, and a soft, clean sponge,
and then rinse thoroughly with clean
water. Use a toothbrush or bottlebrush
for hard-to-reach areas. Stubborn dirt
and insects will come off more easily if
the area is covered with a wet cloth for
a few minutes before cleaning.
After riding in the rain, near the sea or
on salt-sprayed roads
Since sea salt or salt sprayed on roads
during winter are extremely corrosive
in combination with water, carry out
the following steps after each ride in
the rain, near the sea or on salt-
sprayed roads.
TIP
Salt sprayed on roads in the winter
may remain well into spring.
1. Clean the motorcycle with cold
water and a mild detergent, after
the engine has cooled down.
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
8-3
8 NOTICE:
Do not use warm wa-
ter since it increases the corro-
sive action of the salt.
[ECA10792]
2. After drying the motorcycle, apply a corrosion protection spray on all
metal, including chrome- and
nickel-plated, surfaces (except the
titanium muffler) to prevent corro-
sion.
Cleaning the windshield
Avoid using any alkaline or strong acid
cleaner, gasoline, brake fluid, or any
other solvent. Clean the windshield
with a cloth or sponge dampened with
a neutral detergent, and after cleaning,
thoroughly wash it off with water. For
additional cleaning, use Yamaha Wind-
shield Cleaner or other quality cleaner.
Some cleaning compounds for plastics
may leave scratches on surfaces of the
windshield. Before using them, make a
test by polishing an area which does
not affect your visibility.
Cleaning the titanium muffler
This model is equipped with a titanium
muffler, which requires the following
special care.  Use only a soft, clean cloth or
sponge with mild detergent and
water to clean the titanium muffler.
However, if the muffler cannot be
thoroughly cleaned with mild de-
tergent, alkaline products and a
soft brush may be used.
 Never use compounds or other
special treatments to clean the ti-
tanium muffler, as they will remove
the finish on the outer surface of
the muffler. 
Even the smallest amounts of oil,
such as from oily towels or finger-
prints, will leave stains on the tita-
nium muffler, which can be
removed with a mild detergent.
 Note that the thermally induced
discoloring of the portion of the
exhaust pipe leading into the tita-
nium muffler is normal and cannot
be removed.
After cleaning 1. Dry the motorcycle with a chamois or an absorbing cloth.
2. Immediately dry the drive chain and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine chrome, aluminum and stainless-
steel parts.
4. To prevent corrosion, it is recom- mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all metal,
including chrome- and nickel-plat-
ed, surfaces.
5. Use spray oil as a universal clean- er to remove any remaining dirt.
6. Touch up minor paint damage caused by stones, etc.
7. Wax all painted surfaces.
8. Let the motorcycle dry completely before storing or covering it.
WARNING
EWA11132
Contaminants on the brakes or tires
can cause loss of control.  Make sure that there is no oil or
wax on the brakes or tires.
 If necessary, clean the b rake
d iscs an d b rake linin gs with a
re gular brake disc cleaner or
acetone, an d wash the tires with
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
8-4
8
warm water an
d a mil d d eter-
g ent. Before ri din g at hi gher
speed s, test the motorcycle’s
b rakin g performance an d cor-
nering b ehavior.
NOTICE
ECA10801
 Apply spray oil an d wax spar-
in gly an d make sure to wipe off
any excess.
 Never apply oil or wax to any
rubber an d plastic parts, b ut
treat them with a suitab le care
prod uct.
 Avoi d using abrasive polishin g
compoun ds as they will wear
away the paint.
TIP
 Consult a Yamaha dealer for ad-
vice on what products to use.
 Washing, rainy weather or humid
climates can cause the headlight
lens to fog. Turning the headlight
on for a short period of time will
help remove the moisture from the
lens.
EAU26183
Stora ge
Short-term
Always store your motorcycle in a cool,
dry place and, if necessary, protect it
against dust with a porous cover. Be
sure the engine and the exhaust sys-
tem are cool before covering the mo-
torcycle.
NOTICE
ECA10811
 Storin g the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cover-
in g it with a tarp, while it is still
wet, will allow water an d humi d-
ity to seep in an d cause rust.
 To prevent corrosion, avoi d
d amp cellars, sta bles (b ecause
of the presence of ammonia)
an d areas where stron g chemi-
cals are stored .
Long-term
Before storing your motorcycle for sev-
eral months: 1. Follow all the instructions in the “Care” section of this chapter.
2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to protect the cylinders, piston rings,
etc. from corrosion.a. Remove the spark plug caps and spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into each spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug caps onto the spark plugs, and then pla-
ce the spark plugs on the cylin-
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
8-5
8 der head so that the electrodes
are grounded. (This will limit
sparking during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder walls with oil.)
WARNING! To prevent dam-
a g e or injury from sparkin g,
make sure to groun d the
spark plu g electro des while
turnin g the en gine over.
[EWA10952]
e. Remove the spark plug caps
from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.
4. Lubricate all control cables and the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/centerstand.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
6. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
7. Remove the battery and fully char- ge it. Store it in a cool, dry place
and charge it once a month. Do
not store the battery in an exces-
sively cold or warm place [less
than 0 °C (30 °F) or more than 30
°C (90 °F)]. For more information
on storing the battery, see page
7-35.
TIP
Make any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.
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