2018 YAMAHA YFZ450R check engine

8-7
8
14*Drive chain roller • Check for wear and replace if necessary. √√√
15 *Chassis fasteners • Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
16 *Shock absorber as-
semblies • Check operation and correct if necessary.
• Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
17 *Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting points • Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√
18 *Steering shaft • Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
19 *Steering system • Check operation and repair or replace if dam-
aged.
• Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
20 Engine oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
21 Engine oil filter ele-
ment
• Replace.
√√√
22 *Cooling system • Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary. √√√√√
• Replace coolant. Every 2 years
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 320UBW261E0.book Page 7 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-13
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To install the cowling
1. Place the cowling in the original position, and
then tighten the quick fasteners.
2. Install panels C, B and A.EBU29442Checking the spark plugThe spark plug is an important engine component,
which should be checked periodically, preferably
by a Yamaha dealer. 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.
The porcelain insulator around the center elec-
trode of the spark plug should be a medium-to-
light tan (the ideal color when the vehicle is ridden
normally). If the spark plug shows a distinctly dif-
ferent color, the engine could be operating im-
properly. Do not attempt to diagnose such
problems yourself. Instead, have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
If the spark plug shows signs of electrode erosion
and excessive carbon or other deposits, it should
be replaced.
1. Quick fastener
1. Quick fastener
1
1
1
1
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8-14
8Before 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. EBU2949BEngine 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 N·m (1.3 kgf·m, 9.6 lb·ft)
UBW261E0.book Page 14 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-15
8
TIPTo achieve the proper engine oil temperature for
an accurate oil level reading, the engine must have
first completely cooled down, and then warmed
up again for several minutes to normal operating
temperature. 3. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap, andwipe 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 through the engine oil tank filler
hole to raise it to the correct level. NOTICE:
Be sure the engine oil is at the correct lev-
el, otherwise engine damage may result.
[ECB00852]
1. Engine oil tank filler cap
2. O-ring
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Maximum level mark
5. Half-level mark
6. Minimum level mark12
3
4
65
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TIPWhen adding oil, be careful not to overfill the en-
gine oil tank; the oil level rises faster starting from
the half-level mark on the dipstick. 6. Check the O-ring for damage, and replace itif necessary.
7. Insert the dipstick into the engine oil tank filler hole, and then tighten the engine oil tank filler
cap. NOTICE: Make sure that the engine oil
tank filler cap is securely tightened; other-
wise, oil may seep out when the engine is
running.
[ECB00363]
To change the engine oil (with or without oil fil-
ter element replacement) 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the engine guard by removing the bolts. 3. Start the engine, warm it up for several minu-
tes, and then turn it off.
4. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
5. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap, and then remove the engine oil tank drain bolt and
its gasket.
1. Engine guard
2. Bolt
2 21
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8
11. Install the crankcase engine oil drain bolt, the
engine oil tank drain bolt and their new gas-
ket, and then tighten the bolts to their speci-
fied torques.
12. Refill with the specified amount of the recom- mended engine oil through the engine oil tank
filler hole.
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any parts after the
engine and exhaust system have cooled down.
NOTICEECB00301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. 13. Check the engine oil tank filler cap O-ring for
damage, and replace it if necessary.
14. Install and tighten the engine oil tank filler cap.
15. 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.
16. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil level and correct it if necessary.
17. 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]
Tightening torques: Crankcase engine oil drain bolt:20 N·m (2.0 kgf·m, 15 lb·ft)
Engine oil tank drain bolt: 20 N·m (2.0 kgf·m, 15 lb·ft)
Recommended oil: See page 10-1.
Oil quantity: Without oil filter element replacement:1.40 L (1.48 US qt, 1.23 Imp.qt)
With oil filter element replacement: 1.45 L (1.53 US qt, 1.28 Imp.qt)
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8
EBU29861CoolantThe 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. 3. If the coolant is at or below the minimum levelmark, 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
Tightening torque:
Engine guard bolt:7 N·m (0.7 kgf·m, 5.2 lb·ft)1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
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8-21
8
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.
EBU26809Cleaning 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. 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maxi-
mum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)1. Air filter case check hose
1
UBW261E0.book Page 21 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM