YAMAHA YZ450F 2014 Owners Manual
Page 211 of 360
CAMSHAFT
5-16
EAS1SL1212CHECKING THE DECOMPRESSION SYS-
TEM
1. Check:
• Decompression system
▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼
a. Check that the decompressor cam “1” 
moves smoothly.
b. Check that the decompressor lever pin “2” 
projects from the camshaft.
▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲
EAS1SL1213INSTALLING THE CAMSHAFTS
1. Install:
• Exhaust camshaft “1”
• Intake camshaft “2”
▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclockwise with a 
wrench.
TIP
• Apply molybdenum disulfide oil to the cam-
shafts.
• Apply the engine oil on the decompression 
system.
• Fill the cylinder head with engine oil up to the 
tops “a” of the valve lifters.
b. Align the top dead center (TDC) mark “a” on 
the rotor with the alignment mark “b” on the 
crankcase cover.
c. Fit the timing chain “3” onto both camshaft 
sprockets and install the camshafts on the 
cylinder head.
TIP
Make sure that the alignment mark “c” on the 
exhaust camshaft sprocket and the alignment 
mark “d” on the intake camshaft sprocket are 
aligned with the edge of the cylinder head.
ECA33DD029
NOTICE
Do not turn the crankshaft during the cam-
shaft installation. Damage or improper 
valve timing will result.
d. Install the clips, the camshaft caps and the 
bolts (camshaft cap).
1
2
Bolt (camshaft cap)
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
a
aa
b
a
c 3
d
T R.. 
Page 212 of 360
CAMSHAFT
5-17
TIP
• Before installing the clips, cover the cylinder 
head with a clean cloth to prevent the clips 
from coming off into the cylinder head cavity.
• Tighten the bolts to the specified torque in two 
or three steps in the proper tightening se
-
quence as shown.
ECA33DD030
NOTICE
The bolts (camshaft cap) must be tightened 
evenly, or damage to the cylinder head, 
camshaft caps, and camshaft will result.
▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲
2. Install:
• Timing chain tensioner
▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼
a. While pressing the tensioner rod lightly with 
your fingers, use a thin screwdriver to wind 
the tensioner rod up fully clockwise.
b. With the tensioner rod fully wound and the 
chain tensioner UP mark “a” facing upward, 
install the gasket “1,” the timing chain ten
-
sioner “2,” and the gasket “3,” and tighten 
the bolt “4.”
c. Release the screwdriver, check that the ten-
sioner rod comes out smoothly, and tighten 
the gasket “5” and the cap bolt “6.”
▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲
3. Turn:
• Crankshaft
Counterclockwise several turns.
4. Check:
• Top dead center (TDC) mark on the rotor
Align with the crankcase alignment mark.
• Camshaft match marks
Align with the cylinder head surface.
Out of alignment  Adjust.
5. Install:
• Timing chain guide (top side) “1”
• Cylinder head cover gasket “2”
• Cylinder head cover “3”
• Bolt (cylinder head cover) “4”
TIP
Before installation, apply the sealant to the cyl-
inder head cover gasket.
Bolt (timing chain tensioner)
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
3
4
8
7
15
26
T R..
Tensioner cap bolt
6 Nm (0.6 m·kgf, 4.3 ft·lbf)
Bolt (cylinder head cover)
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
Three Bond No.1215®
90890-85505
T R..
6 5
T R.. 
Page 213 of 360
CAMSHAFT
5-18
6. Install:
• Cylinder head breather hose
• Spark plug
Spark plug
13 Nm (1.3m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)
4
4
4
3
21
T R.. 
Page 214 of 360
CYLINDER HEAD
5-19
EAS1SL1214
CYLINDER HEAD
Removing the cylinder head
OrderPart nameQ’tyRemarks
SeatRefer to “GENERAL CHASSIS” on page 4-1.
Side cover (left/right)Refer to “GENERAL CHASSIS” on page 4-1.
Air scoop (left / right)Refer to “GENERAL CHASSIS” on page 4-1.
Fuel tankRefer to “FUEL TANK” on page 7-1.
Exhaust pipe and silencerRefer to “ENGINE REMOVAL” on page 5-1.
Radiator hoseDisconnect.
Coolant temperature sensor couplerDisconnect.
Throttle bodyRefer to “THROTTLE BODY” on page 7-5.
CamshaftRefer to “CAMSHAFT” on page 5-11.
Upper engine bracketRefer to “ENGINE REMOVAL” on page 5-1
1Bolt (cylinder head)2
2Bolt (cylinder head)4
3Cylinder head1
4Cylinder head gasket1
5Timing chain guide (intake side)1
6Oil check bolt2
7 66
1st
2nd
Final20 Nm (2.0 m
kgf, 14 ftIbf)T.
R.
30 Nm (3.0 mkgf, 22 ftIbf)
10 Nm (1.0 mkgf, 7.2 ftIbf)T.R.
10 Nm (1.0 mkgf, 7.2 ftIbf)T.R.
15 Nm (1.5 mkgf, 11 ftIbf)T.
R
. 
Page 215 of 360
CYLINDER HEAD
5-20
7Oil passage plug1
For installation, reverse the removal proce-dure.
Removing the cylinder head
Order Part name Q’ty Remarks
7 66
1st
2nd
Final20 Nm (2.0 m
kgf, 14 ftIbf)T.
R.
30 Nm (3.0 mkgf, 22 ftIbf)
10 Nm (1.0 mkgf, 7.2 ftIbf)T.R.
10 Nm (1.0 mkgf, 7.2 ftIbf)T.R.
15 Nm (1.5 mkgf, 11 ftIbf)T.
R
. 
Page 216 of 360
CYLINDER HEAD
5-21
EAS1SL1215REMOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD
1. Remove:
• Cylinder head bolts
TIP
• Loosen the bolts in the proper sequence as 
shown.
• Loosen each bolt 1/2 of a turn at a time. After 
fully loosening all the bolts, remove them.
•M6  35 mm (1.38 in): “1” – “2”
• M10  149 mm (5.87 in): “3” – “6”
EAS1SL1216CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE (IN-
TAKE SIDE)
1. Check:
• Timing chain guide (intake side)
Damage/wear  Replace
EAS1SL1217CHECKING THE CYLINDER HEAD
1. Eliminate:
• Combustion chamber carbon deposits
TIP
Use a rounded scraper, not a sharp instrument, 
in order not to damage or scratch the spark 
plug bore threads.
2. Check:
• Cylinder head
Damage/scratches  Replace.
TIP
When replacing the cylinder head, replace also 
the valve.
“CHECKING THE VALVE SEATS” on page 
5-27.
• Cylinder head coolant passages
Mineral deposits/rust  Eliminate.
3. Measure:
• Cylinder head warpage
Out of specification  Resurface the cylin-
der head.
▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼
a. Place a straightedge and a thickness gauge 
across the cylinder head.
b. Measure the warpage.
c. If the limit is exceeded, resurface the cylin-
der head as follows.
d. Place a 400–600 grit wet sandpaper on a 
surface plate, and resurface the cylinder 
head using a figure-eight sanding pattern.
TIP
To ensure an even surface, turn the cylinder 
head several times.
▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲
61
2
35
4 x2 x4FWD
Warpage limit
0.05 mm (0.0020 in) 
Page 217 of 360
CYLINDER HEAD
5-22
EAS1SL1218INSTALLING THE CYLINDER HEAD
1. Install:
• Timing chain guide (intake side) “1”
• Dowel pin “2”
• Cylinder head gasket “3”
• Cylinder head “4”
TIP
While pulling up the timing chain, install the tim-
ing chain guide (intake side) and the cylinder 
head.
2. Install:
• Washer “1”
•Bolt “2”
•Bolt “3”
TIP
Tighten the bolts using the following procedure.
▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼
a. Wash the threads and contact surfaces of 
the bolts, the contact surfaces of the wash
-
ers, the contact surface of the cylinder head, 
and the threads of the crankcase.
b. Apply molybdenum disulfide grease to the 
threads and contact surfaces of the bolts 
and to both contact surfaces of the washers 
“1”.
c. Install the washers and the bolts.
d. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque in 
two or three steps in the proper tightening 
sequence as shown.
e. Remove the bolts.
f. Again apply molybdenum disulfide grease to 
the threads and contact surfaces of the bolts 
and to both contact surfaces of the washers.
g. Retighten the bolts.
TIP
Tighten the bolts to the specified torque in two 
or three steps in the proper tightening se
-
quence as shown.
h. Put a mark on the corner “1” of the bolt (cyl-
inder head) and the cylinder head “2” as 
shown.
New
12
2 4
3
1
3 22
Bolts “1”–“4”
1st
30 Nm (3.0 m·kgf, 22 ft·lbf)
Bolts “1”–“4”
2nd
20 Nm (2.0 m·kgf, 14 ft·lbf)
T R..
15
6
42
3 FWD
x2 x4
T R..
1
2 
Page 218 of 360
CYLINDER HEAD
5-23
i. Retighten the cylinder head mounting bolts 
150° in the proper tightening sequence.
TIP
Tighten the bolts in two steps (90° and 60°) to 
reach the specified angle in the proper tighten
-
ing sequence.
j. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque.
▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲
Bolts “1”–“4”
Final
Specified angle 150°
Bolt “5”, “6”
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
T R..
T R.. 
Page 219 of 360
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
5-24
EAS1SL1219
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
Removing the valves and valve springs
OrderPart nameQ’tyRemarks
Cylinder headRefer to “CYLINDER HEAD” on page 5-19.
1Valve lifter4
2Adjusting pad4
3Valve cotter8
4Valve spring retainer4
5Valve spring4
6Valve stem seal4
7Valve spring seat4
8Intake valve2
9Exhaust valve2
For installation, reverse the removal proce-dure. 
Page 220 of 360
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
5-25
EAS1SL1220REMOVING THE VALVES
TIP
Before removing the internal parts of the cylin-
der head (e.g., valves, valve springs, valve 
seats), make sure that the valves are properly 
sealed.
1. Remove:
• Valve lifter “1”
• Adjusting pad “2”
TIP
• Place a cloth in the timing chain space to pre-
vent adjusting pads from falling into the crank-
case.
• Make a note of the positions of valve lifters 
and adjusting pads so that they can be rein
-
stalled in their original places.
2. Check:
• Valve sealing
Leakage at the valve seat  Check the 
valve face, the valve seat, and the valve seat 
width.
“CHECKING THE VALVE SEATS” on page 
5-27.
▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼
a. Pour a clean solvent “a” into the intake and 
exhaust ports.
b. Check that the valves are properly sealed.
TIP
Check that there are no kerosene leaks from 
the valve seat “1.”
▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲
3. Remove:
• Valve cotter “1”
TIP
Remove the valve cotters by compressing the 
valve spring with the valve spring compressor 
“2” and the valve spring compressor adapter 
“3.”
4. Remove:
• Valve spring retainer “1”
• Valve spring “2”
•Valve “3”
• Valve stem seal “4”
• Valve spring seat “5”
TIP
Identify the position of each part very carefully 
so that it can be reinstalled in its original place.
Valve lapper
90890-04101
Valve lapping tool
YM-A8998
1
2Valve spring compressor
90890-04019
YM-04019
Valve spring compressor adapter 
22 mm
90890-040108
YM-04108
a1
a