2018 YAMAHA YZF-R3 engine

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-11
6
NOTICE
ECA20860
If the oil pressure warnin g li ght flick-
ers or remains on even if the oil level
is correct, imme diately turn the en-
g ine off an d have a Yamaha d ealer
check the vehicle.
11. Turn the engine off, wait a few mi- nutes until the oil settles, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
EAU20071
Coolant
The 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.
EAUN0690To check the coolant level1. Place the vehicle on a level surfa- ce and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
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.
2. Check the coolant level in the
coolant reservoir.
TIP
The coolant should be between the mi-
nimum and maximum level marks.
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
3. Coolant reservoir
1
2
3
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-15
6
EAU21386
Checkin g the throttle grip free
play
Measure the throttle grip free play as
shown.
Periodically check the throttle grip free
play and, if necessary, have a Yamaha
dealer adjust it.
EAU21402
Valve clearance
The 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 intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
1. Throttle grip free play
Throttle grip free play:
3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-37
6 5. Insert a new bulb into the socket.
6. Install the socket (together with
the bulb) by pushing it in.
7. Install the rear fender lower panel by installing the bolts and screws.
8. Install the mudguard by installing the quick fasteners.
EAU24351
Supportin g the motorcycle
Since this model is not equipped with a
centerstand, follow these precautions
when removing the front and rear
wheel or performing other mainte-
nance requiring the motorcycle to
stand upright. Check that the motorcy-
cle is in a stable and level position be-
fore starting any maintenance. A
strong wooden box can be placed un-
der the engine for added stability.
To service the front wheel
1. Stabilize the rear of the motorcy- cle by using a motorcycle stand
or, if an additional motorcycle
stand is not available, by placing a
jack under the frame in front of the
rear wheel.
2. Raise the front wheel off the ground by using a motorcycle
stand.
To service the rear wheel
Raise the rear wheel off the ground by
using a motorcycle stand or, if a motor-
cycle stand is not available, by placing
a jack either under each side of the
frame in front of the rear wheel or under
each side of the swingarm.
1. License plate light bulb
2. License plate light bulb socket
2
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-39
6
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
6-40
6
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 stoppe d, press d own 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
7-1
7
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.
EAU54661
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
ECA10773
Avoi d usin g stron g aci dic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoke d
wheels. If such pro ducts 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
7-2
7
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, hea dlig ht
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. Be
sure to avoi d usin g cloths or
spon ges which have b een in
contact with stron g or a brasive
cleanin g pro du
cts, solvent or
thinner, fuel ( gasoline), rust re-
movers or inhi bitors, brake flui d,
antifreeze or electrolyte.
 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),
electric components (couplers,
connectors, instruments,
switches an d li ghts), 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 win d-
shiel d. Test the pro duct 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

ic 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.
NOTICE: Do not use warm wa-
ter since it increases the corro-
sive action of the salt.
[ECA10792]
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
7-4
7
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 ventilate d 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-
UBR5E0E0.book Page 4 Wednesday, July 5, 2017 11:10 AM