2018 YAMAHA YZF-R6 engine

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-11
7 2. Install cowling C and panel B.
EAU79970Panels A an
d B
To remove a panel
Remove the quick fasteners, and then
pull the panel off as shown.
To install a panel
Place the panel in the original position,
and then install the quick fasteners.
EAU19653
Checkin g the spark plu gs
The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be
checked periodically, preferably by a
Yamaha dealer. Since heat and depos- its will cause any spark plug to slowly
erode, they should be removed and
checked in accordance with the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication
chart. In addition, the condition of the
spark plugs can reveal the condition of
the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the
center electrode of each spark plug
should be a medium-to-light tan (the
ideal color when the vehicle is ridden
normally), and all spark plugs installed
in the engine should have the same
color. If any spark plug shows a dis-
tinctly different color, the engine could
be operating improperly. Do not at-
tempt to diagnose such problems
yourself. Instead, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of elec-
trode erosion and excessive carbon or
other deposits, it should be replaced.
Before installing a spark plug, the
spark plug gap should be measured
with a wire thickness gauge and, if
necessary, adjusted to specification.
1. Panel A
2. Quick fastener
2
1
Specified spark plu g:
NGK/CR10EK
UBN6E1E0.book Page 11 Thursday, October 5, 2017 2:48 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-13
7
EAU80312
En gine oil an d oil filter car-
tri dg e
The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the en gine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level surfa- ce and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set- tles.
4. Remove the engine oil dipstick and wipe it clean, insert it back
into the hole (without screwing it
in), and then remove it again to
check the oil level.
TIP
The engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
5. Check the dipstick O-ring fordamage, and replace it if neces-
sary.
6. If the engine oil is at or below the minimum level mark, remove the
engine oil filler cap, and then add
sufficient oil of the recommended
type to raise it to the correct level.
7. Check the filler cap O-ring for damage, and replace it if neces-
sary.
8. Insert and tighten the engine oil dipstick, and then install and tight-
en the oil filler cap.
To chan ge the en gine oil (with or
without oil filter cartri dge replace-
ment) 1. Place the vehicle on a level surfa- ce.
2. Remove cowlings A and B. (See page 7-7.)
3. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
4. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
1. Engine oil dipstick
2. O-ring
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
4
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. O-ring
1
2
1
UBN6E1E0.book Page 13 Thursday, October 5, 2017 2:48 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-14
7
5. Remove the engine oil filler cap,
the engine oil drain bolt and its
gasket to drain the oil from the
crankcase.
TIP
Skip steps 6–12 if the oil filter cartridge
is not being replaced.
6. Remove the shift arm bolt, andthen pull the shift arm off the shift
shaft.
TIP
If necessary, disconnect the shift
switch and connecting rod by loosen-
ing the bottom nut.
7. Remove the fuel tank overflowhose from the guides.
8. Remove the oil filter cartridge with an oil filter wrench.
TIP
An oil filter wrench is available at a
Yamaha dealer.
9. Apply a thin coat of clean engine oil to the O-ring of the new oil filter
cartridge.
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
1. Shift arm
2. Shift arm bolt
3. Oil filter cartridge
4. Guide
5. Fuel tank overflow hose
1
2
3
4
5
2
1
1. Shift switch
2. Connecting rod
3. Nut
1. Oil filter wrench
1
3
2
1
UBN6E1E0.book Page 14 Thursday, October 5, 2017 2:48 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-15
7
TIP
Make sure that the O-ring is properly
seated.
10. Install the new oil filter cartridge
with an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
11. Install the fuel tank overflow hose into the guides, then place them in
their original position.
12. Install the shift arm by aligning the slot in the shift arm with the mark
on the shift shaft and installing the
shift arm bolt, then tightening it to
the specified torque. NOTICE: Be
sure to ali gn the slot an d mark to ensure proper shiftin
g. If the
slot an d mark are not ali gne d,
the shift arm will not move cor-
rectly an d you may not be ab le
to shift up or down.
[ECA24140]
13. Install the engine oil drain bolt and
its new gasket, and then tighten
the bolt to the specified torque.
14. Refill with the specified amount of the recommended engine oil.
1. O-ring
1. Torque wrench
Tightenin g torque:
Oil filter cartridge: 17 N·m (1.7 kgf·m, 13 lb·ft)
1
1. Shift arm
2. Shift arm bolt
3. Slot
4. Shift shaft
5. Mark
Tightening torque:
Shift arm bolt: 10 N·m (1.0 kgf·m, 7.4 lb·ft)
Ti ghtening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt: 43 N·m (4.3 kgf·m, 32 lb·ft)
Recommen ded en gine oil:
See page 9-1.
Oil quantity: Oil change:2.40 L (2.54 US qt, 2.11 Imp.qt)
With oil filter removal: 2.60 L (2.75 US qt, 2.29 Imp.qt)
2
1
3
4
5
UBN6E1E0.book Page 15 Thursday, October 5, 2017 2:48 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-16
7
TIP
Be sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-
tem have cooled down.
NOTICE
ECA11621
 In or der to prevent clutch slip-
pa ge (since the en gine oil also
lu bricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical add itives. Do
not use oils with a d iesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a hi gh-
er quality than specified . In
a ddition, do not use oils la bele d
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
hi gher.
 Make sure that no forei gn mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
15. Check the filler cap O-ring for damage, and replace it if neces-
sary.
16. Install and tighten the oil filler cap.
17. 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.
TIP
After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if
the oil level is sufficient.
NOTICE
ECA10402
If the oil level warnin g li ght flickers
or remains on even if the oil level is
correct, imme diately turn the en gine
off an d have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.
18. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
19. Check the dipstick O-ring for damage, and replace it if neces-
sary.
20. Install the cowlings.
UBN6E1E0.book Page 16 Thursday, October 5, 2017 2:48 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-17
7
EAUS1203
Coolant
The coolant level should be checked
regularly. In addition, the coolant must
be changed at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance chart.
TIP
If genuine Yamaha coolant is not avail-
able, use an ethylene glycol antifreeze
containing corrosion inhibitors for alu-
minum engines and mix with distilled
water at a 1:1 ratio.
EAU3908BTo check the coolant level
Since the coolant level varies with en-
gine temperature, check when the en-
gine is cold.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. With the vehicle in an upright posi- tion, look at the coolant level in the
reservoir. 3. If the coolant is at or below the mi-
nimum level mark, remove panel B
to access the coolant reservoir.
(See page 7-7.)
4. Remove the coolant reservoir cap. WARNING! Remove only the
coolant reservoir cap. Never at-
tempt to remove the ra diator
cap when the en gine is hot.
[EWA15162]
5. Add coolant to the maximum level
mark. NOTICE: If coolant is not
availa ble, use distille d water or
soft tap water instea d. Do not
use har d water or salt water
since it is harmful to the en gine.
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possi ble, other-
wise the coolin g system will not
b e protecte d a gainst frost an d
corrosion. If water has b een
a dde d to the coolant, have a
Yamaha dealer check the anti-
freeze content of the coolant as
soon as possi ble, otherwise the
effectiveness of the coolant will
b e red uced.
[ECA10473]
6. Install the coolant reservoir cap.
7. Install the panel.
Recommen ded coolant:
YAMALUBE coolant
Coolant quantity: Coolant reservoir (max level mark):0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
Radiator (including all routes): 2.30 L (2.43 US qt, 2.02 Imp.qt)
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
2
1
3
1. Coolant reservoir cap
1
UBN6E1E0.book Page 17 Thursday, October 5, 2017 2:48 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-19
7
EAU44735
Checkin g the en gine i dlin g
spee d
Check the engine idling speed and, if
necessary, have it corrected by a
Yamaha dealer.
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.
En gine i dlin g spee d:
1250–1350 r/min
1. Throttle grip free play
Throttle g rip free play:
3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
1
UBN6E1E0.book Page 19 Thursday, October 5, 2017 2:48 PM

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
7-20
7
EAU21403
Valve clearance
The valves are an important engine
component, and since valve clearance
changes with use, they must be
checked and adjusted at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
chart. Unadjusted valves can result in
improper air-fuel mixture, engine
noise, and eventually engine damage.
To prevent this from occurring, have
your Yamaha dealer check and adjust
the valve clearance at regular intervals.
TIP
This service must be performed when
the engine is cold.
EAU70961
Tires
Tires are the only contact between the
vehicle and the road. Safety in all con-
ditions of riding depends on a relatively
small area of road contact. Therefore, it
is essential to maintain the tires in good
condition at all times and replace them
at the appropriate time with the speci-
fied tires.
Tire air pressure
The tire air pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted
before each ride.
WARNING
EWA18370
 Operation of this vehicle with
improper tire air pressure may
cause severe injury or d eath
from loss of control.
 The tire air pressure must b e
checked and a djuste d on col d
tires (i.e., when the temperature
of the tires equals the am bient
temperature).
WARNING
EWA10512
Never overloa d your vehicle. Opera-
tion of an overloa ded vehicle coul d
cause an acci dent.
Col d tire air pressure:
Front: 250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear:
290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm², 42 psi)
Maximum loa d*:
185 kg (408 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car- go and accessories
UBN6E1E0.book Page 20 Thursday, October 5, 2017 2:48 PM