engine YAMAHA YZ250F 2003 Workshop Manual

3 - 45
INSP
ADJ
ELECTRICAL/SPARK PLUG INSPECTION
EC370000
ELECTRICAL
EC371001
SPARK PLUG INSPECTION
1. Remove:
Spark plug
2. Inspect:
Electrode 1
Wear/damage → Replace.
Insulator color 2
Normal condition is a medium to light
tan color.
Distinctly different color → Check the
engine condition.
NOTE:
When the engine runs for many hours at low
speeds, the spark plug insulator will become
sooty, even if the engine and carburetor are in
good operating condition.
3. Measure:
Plug gap a
Use a wire gauge or thickness gauge.
Out of specification → Regap.
4. Clean the plug with a spark plug cleaner
if necessary.
Spark plug gap:
0.7 ~ 0.8 mm (0.028 ~ 0.031 in)
5. Tighten:
Spark plug
NOTE:
Before installing a spark plug, clean the gas-
ket surface and plug surface.
Finger-tighten a the spark plug before
torquing to specification b.
T R..13 Nm (1.3 m · kg, 9.4 ft · lb)

3 - 46
INSP
ADJ
IGNITION TIMING CHECK
IGNITION TIMING CHECK
1. Remove:
Timing mark accessing screw 1
2. Attach:
Timing light
Inductive tachometer
To the spark plug lead.
3. Check:
Ignition timing
Timing light:
YM-33277-A/90890-03141
Inductive tachometer:
YU-8036-B
Engine tachometer:
90890-03113
Checking steps:
Start the engine and let it warm up. Let the
engine run at the specified speed.
Engine speed:
1,900 ~ 2,100 r/min
Visually check the stationary pointer a is
within the firing range b on the rotor.
Incorrect firing range → Check rotor and
pickup assembly.
4. Install:
Timing mark accessing screw

4 - 1
ENG

EC400000
ENGINE
SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE COVERS
Extent of removal:
1
Seat removal
2
Fuel tank removal
3
Side covers removal
4
Number plate removal
Extent of removal Order Part name Q’ty Remarks
Preparation for removal
SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS REMOVAL
Turn the fuel cock to “OFF”.
Disconnect the fuel hose.
1 Seat 1
2 Air scoop (left and right) 2
3 Fitting band 1 Remove on fuel tank side.
4 Bolt (fuel tank) 2
5 Fuel tank 1
6 Left side cover 1
Refer to “REMOVAL POINTS”.
7 Right side cover 1
8 Number plate 1
13
4
2
3

SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE COVERS
4

4 - 6
ENG

RADIATOR
EC456000
HANDLING NOTE
WARNING

Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Scalding hot
fluid and steam may be blown out under
pressure, which could cause serious
injury.
When the engine has cooled, open the radi-
ator cap by the following procedure:
Place a thick rag, like a towel, over the radi-
ator cap, slowly rotate the cap counter-
clockwise to the detent. This procedure
allows any residual pressure to escape.
When the hissing sound has stopped,
press down on the cap while turning coun-
terclockwise and remove it.
EC454000
INSPECTION
EC444100
Radiator
1. Inspect:

Radiator core
1

Obstruction
→
Blow out with com-
pressed air through rear of the radiator.
Bent fin → Repair/replace.
EC455000
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
Radiator
1. Install:
O-ring 1
Radiator pipe 2
Bolt (radiator pipe) 3
NOTE:
Apply the lithium soap base grease on the O-
ring.
2. Install:
Radiator breather hose 1
Radiator hose 4 (longer) 2
Radiator hose 2 (shorter) 3
To left radiator 4.
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)

4 - 11
ENGCARBURETOR
HANDLING NOTE
CAUTION:
Do not loosen the screws (throttle position
sensor) 1 except when changing the throt-
tle position sensor due to failure because it
will cause a drop in engine performance.
1
REMOVAL POINTS
Pilot screw
1. Remove:
Pilot screw 1
NOTE:
To optimize the fuel flow at a small throttle
opening, each machine’s pilot screw has been
individually set at the factory. Before removing
the pilot screw, turn it in fully and count the
number of turns. Record this number as the
factory-set number of turns out.
INSPECTION
Carburetor
1. Inspect:
Carburetor body
Contamination → Clean.
NOTE:
Use a petroleum based solvent for cleaning.
Blow out all passages and jets with com-
pressed air.
Never use a wire.

4 - 26
ENGCAMSHAFTS
Decompression system
1. Check:
Decompression system
Checking steps:
Check that the decompression mecha-
nism cam 1 moves smoothly.
Check that the decompression mechanism
cam lever pin 2 projects from the camshaft.
Timing chain tensioner
1. Check:
While pressing the tensioner rod lightly
with fingers, use a thin screwdriver 1
and wind the tensioner rod up fully
clockwise.
When releasing the screwdriver by
pressing lightly with fingers, make sure
that the tensioner rod will come out
smoothly.
If not, replace the tensioner assembly.
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
Camshaft
1. Install:
Exhaust camshaft 1
Intake camshaft 2
Installation steps:
Turn the crankshaft counterclockwise with
a wrench.
NOTE:
Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil on the
camshafts.
Apply the engine oil on the decompression
system.
Squeezing the decompression lever
allows the crankshaft to be turned easily.
Align the T.D.C. mark a on the rotor with the
align mark b on the crankcase cover when
piston is at T.D.C. on compression stroke.

4 - 27
ENGCAMSHAFTS
Fit the timing chain 3 onto both camshaft
sprockets and install the camshafts on the
cylinder head.
NOTE:
The camshafts should be installed onto the
cylinder head so that the punch mark c on
the exhaust camshaft and the punch mark
d on the intake camshaft must align with
the cylinder head surface, as shown in the
illustration.
CAUTION:
Do not turn the crankshaft during the
camshaft installation. Damage or
improper valve timing will result.
Install the clips, camshaft caps 4 and
bolts (camshaft cap) 5.
T R..
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m • kg, 7.2 ft • lb)
NOTE:
Before removing the clips, cover the cylin-
der head with a clean rag to prevent the
clips from into the cylinder head cavity.
Apply the engine oil on the thread and con-
tact surface of the bolts (camshaft cap).
Tighten the bolts (camshaft cap) in a criss-
cross pattern.
CAUTION:
The bolts (camshaft cap) must be tight-
ened evenly, or damage to the cylinder
head, camshaft caps, and camshaft will
result.
2. Install:
Timing chain tensioner
Installation steps:
While pressing the tensioner rod lightly
with fingers, use a thin screwdriver and
wind the tensioner rod up fully clockwise.

4 - 30
ENGCYLINDER HEAD
CYLINDER HEAD
Extent of removal:1 Cylinder head removal
Extent of removal Order Part name Q’ty Remarks
CYLINDER HEAD REMOVAL
Preparation for removal Seat and fuel tank Refer to “SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS” section.
Exhaust pipe and silencer Refer to “EXHAUST PIPE AND
SILENCER” section.
Radiator hose 1 Disconnect at cylinder head side.
Carburetor Refer to “CARBURETOR” section.
Camshaft Refer to “CAMSHAFTS” section.
Upper engine bracket Refer to “ENGINE REMOVAL” section.
1 Radiator pipe 1
2 Oil delivery pipe 1
3 Nut 2
4 Bolt [L=135 mm (5.31 in)] 2
5 Bolt [L=145 mm (5.71 in)] 2
6 Cylinder head 1
7 Timing chain guard (exhaust side) 1
1

4 - 41
ENGVALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
3. Install:
Valve cotter
NOTE:
While compressing the valve spring with a
valve spring compressor 1 install the valve
cotters.
4. To secure the valve cotters onto the
valve stem, lightly tap the valve tip with a
piece of wood.
CAUTION:
Hitting the valve tip with excessive force
could damage the valve.
Valve spring compressor:
YM-4019/90890-04019
5. Install:
Adjusting pad 1
Valve lifter 2
NOTE:
Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil on the
valve stem end.
Apply the engine oil on the valve lifters.
Valve lifter must turn smoothly when rotated
with a finger.
Be careful to reinstall valve lifters and pads
in their original place.

4 - 46
ENGCYLINDER AND PISTON
Piston pin
1. Inspect:
Piston pin
Blue discoloration/grooves → Replace,
then inspect the lubrication system.
2. Measure:
Piston pin-to-piston clearance
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
Piston ring and piston
1. Install:
Piston ring
Onto the piston.
NOTE:
Be sure to install the piston rings so that the
manufacturer’s marks or numbers are
located on the upper side of the rings.
Lubricate the piston and piston rings liberally
with engine oil. Measurement steps:
Measure the outside diameter (piston pin)
a.
If out of specification, replace the piston
pin.
Outside diameter (piston pin):
15.991 ~ 16.000 mm
(0.6296 ~ 0.6299 in)
Measure the inside diameter (piston) b.
Inside diameter (piston):
16.002 ~ 16.013 mm
(0.6300 ~ 0.6304 in)
Calculate the piston pin-to-piston clear-
ance with the following formula.
Piston pin-to-piston clearance =
Inside diameter (piston) b –
Outside diameter (piston pin) a
If out of specification, replace the piston.
Piston pin-to-piston clearance:
0.002 ~ 0.022 mm
(0.0001 ~ 0.0009 in)
<Limit>: 0.07 mm (0.003 in)