check engine YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 2006 User Guide

7-17
7 RIDING DOWNHILL
When riding your ATV downhill, shift your weight
as far to the rear and uphill side of the ATV as pos-
sible. Move back on the seat and sit with your arms
straight. Engine compression will do most of the
braking for you. For maximum engine compres-
sion braking effect, change to 4WD before begin-
ning to descend the hill. Improper braking may
cause a loss of traction.
Use caution while descending a hill with loose or
slippery surfaces. Braking ability and traction may
be adversely affected by these surfaces. Improper
braking may also cause a loss of traction.When this ATV is in 4WD, all wheels (front and
rear) are interconnected by the drive train. This
means that applying either the front brake or the
rear brake will brake all wheels. When descending
hills, using either brake lever or the brake pedal will
brake the wheels on the downhill side. Avoid sud-
den application of either the front or rear brake be-
cause the wheels on the uphill side could come off
the ground. Apply both the front and rear brakes
gradually.
Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight down-
hill. Avoid sharp angles which could allow the ATV
to tip or roll over. Carefully choose your path and
ride no faster than you will be able to react to ob-
stacles which may appear.
WARNING
EWB01620Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills as described in this Owner’s Manu-
al.
Note: a special technique is required when
braking as you go down a hill.
Always check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill.
Shift your weight backward.
Never go down a hill at high speed.
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8-5
8
15*Shock absorber as-
sembliesCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.√√√
16*Knuckle pivotsLubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.√√√
17*Knuckle shaftsLubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.√√√
18*Steering shaftLubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.√√√
19*Steering systemCheck operation and repair or replace if damaged.
Check toe-in and adjust if necessary.√√√√√
20*Engine mountCheck for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary.√√√
21*Axle bootsCheck for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary.Before each ride.
22*CarburetorCheck starter (choke) operation and correct if nec-
essary.
Check engine idling speed and adjust if neces-
sary.√√√√
23*Crankcase breather
systemCheck breather hose for cracks or other damage,
and replace if necessary.√√√
24 Engine oilChange.
Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.√ √√√
25Engine oil filter car-
tridgeReplace.√√√
26*Engine oil strainerClean.√√√ NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1200
(750)2400
(1500)2400
(1500)4800
(3000)
hours 20 75 150 150 300U3C260E0.book Page 5 Tuesday, August 2, 2005 9:52 AM

8-14
8To install the panel
Place the panel in its original position.
EBU23210Checking the spark plug The spark plug is an important engine component,
which is easy to check. 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.
To remove the spark plug
1. Remove the spark plug cap.
1. Panel D
1. Spark plug cap
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8-15
8 2. Remove the spark plug as shown, with the
spark plug wrench included in the owner’s tool
kit.
To check the spark plug
1. Check that the porcelain insulator around the
center electrode of the spark plug is a medi-
um-to-light tan (the ideal color when the ATV
is ridden normally).
NOTE:If the spark plug shows a distinctly different color,
the engine could be defective. Do not attempt to di-
agnose such problems yourself. Instead, have aYamaha dealer check the ATV.2. Check the spark plug for electrode erosion
and excessive carbon or other deposits, and
replace it if necessary.
To install the spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a wire thick-
ness gauge and, if necessary, adjust the gap
to specification.1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
NGK/DR8EA
Spark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
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8-16
82. Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket
and its mating surface, and then wipe off any
grime from the spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the spark plug
wrench, and then tighten it to the specified
torque.
NOTE:If a torque wrench is not available when installing
a 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 specified torque assoon as possible.
4. Install the spark plug cap.EBU26421Engine oil and oil filter cartridge The engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and
the oil filter cartridge 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. Remove panel D. (See page 8-8.)
3. Start the engine, warm it up for several min-
utes, and then turn it off.
4. Wait a few minutes until the oil settles before
checking.
5. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then
wipe the dipstick off with a clean rag.
1. Spark plug gapTightening torque:
Spark plug:
17.5 Nm (1.75 m·kgf, 12.7 ft·lbf)
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8-17
8 6. Insert the dipstick in the filler hole (without
screwing it in), and then remove it again to
check the oil level.
NOTE:The engine oil should be between the minimumand maximum level marks.
7. If the engine oil is at or below the minimum
level mark, add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type to raise it to the correct level.
8. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler hole, and
then tighten the engine oil filler cap.
9. Install the panel.
1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
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8-21
8 13. 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.
14. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil lev-
el and correct it if necessary.
15. Install panel D.
EBU23381Final gear oil The final gear case must be checked for oil leak-
age before each ride. If any leakage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer check and repair the ATV. In ad-
dition, the final gear oil level must be checked and
the oil changed as follows at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the final gear oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.NOTE:The final gear oil level must be checked on a coldengine.
2. Remove the final gear oil filler bolt, and then
check the oil level in the final gear case.
NOTE:The oil level should be at the brim of the filler hole.
3. If the oil is below the brim of the filler hole, add
sufficient oil of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.
4. Install the oil filler bolt, and then tighten it to the
specified torque.1. Final gear oil
2. Final gear oil filler bolt
3. Correct oil levelTightening torque:
Final gear oil filler bolt:
23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
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8

The differential gear case capacity is greater
than the recommended oil quantity, therefore
the oil level cannot be accurately checked fromthe oil filler hole.CAUTION:ECB00410Be sure no foreign material enters the differen-tial gear case.
6. Install the oil filler bolt, and then tighten it to the
specified torque.
7. Check the differential gear case for oil leak-
age. If oil is leaking, check for the cause.
EBU23470Coolant The 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.EBU23481To check the coolant level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.NOTE:The 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.NOTE:The coolant should be between the minimum andmaximum level marks. Recommended differential gear oil:
See page 10-1.
Oil quantity:
0.35 L (0.37 US qt) (0.31 Imp.qt)
Tightening torque:
Differential gear oil filler bolt:
23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
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8

If water has been used instead of coolant, re-
place it with coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the engine may not be sufficiently
cooled and the cooling system will not be
protected 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, oth-
erwise the effectiveness of the coolant willbe reduced.
NOTE:If the engine overheats, see page 8-54 for furtherinstructions.EBU26440To change the coolant
WARNING
EWB01890Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure. Always place a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressureto escape before completely removing the cap.
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.2. Remove panels C and D. (See page 8-8.)
3. Place a container under the engine, and then
remove the coolant drain bolt. (Use a trough
or a similar object as shown to prevent coolant
from spilling on the footrest.)
1. Coolant drain bolt
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8-29
8 10. Connect the coolant reservoir hose.
11. Pour the recommended coolant into the reser-
voir to the maximum level mark, and then in-
stall the reservoir cap.
12. Pour the recommended coolant into the radia-
tor until it is full.
CAUTION:ECB00400
If coolant is not available, use distilled water
or soft tap water instead. Do not use hard wa-
ter or salt water since it is harmful to the en-
gine.

If water has been used instead of coolant, re-
place it with coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the engine may not be sufficiently
cooled and the cooling system will not be
protected 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, oth-
erwise the effectiveness of the coolant willbe reduced.
13. Install the radiator cap, start the engine, let it
idle for several minutes, and then turn it off.
14. Remove the radiator cap to check the coolant
level in the radiator. If it is low, add sufficient
coolant until it reaches the top of the radiator,
and then install the radiator cap.
15. Start the engine, and then check for coolant
leakage.
NOTE:If any leakage is found, have a Yamaha dealercheck the cooling system.
16. Install the cowling.
17. Install the panels. Antifreeze/water mixture ratio:
1:1
Recommended antifreeze:
High-quality ethylene glycol antifreeze con-
taining corrosion inhibitors for aluminum en-
gines
Coolant quantity:
Radiator capacity (including all routes):
1.32 L (1.40 US qt) (1.16 Imp.qt)
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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