engine YAMAHA YFM50R 2008 Owner's Guide

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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
EBU21670
Safety is an obligation of the owner. Periodic in-
spection, adjustment and lubrication will keep your
ATV in the safest and best operating condition
possible. The most important points of inspection,
adjustment, and lubrication are explained on the
following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart should be considered as a
general guide under normal riding conditions.
However, DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER,
TERRAIN, GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, AND
INDIVIDUAL USE, THE MAINTENANCE INTER-
VALS MAY NEED TO BE SHORTENED.
WARNING

EWB01840
Never service an engine while it is running.
Moving parts can catch clothing or parts of the
body, causing injury. Electrical components
can cause shocks or start fires. Turn off the en-
gine when performing maintenance unless
otherwise specified. Have a Yamaha dealer
perform the service if you are not familiar with
maintenance work.
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Owner’s manual and tool kit
Be sure to put this owner’s manual in the plastic
bag and to always carry it as well as the owner’s
tool kit and the low-pressure tire gauge in their re-
spective compartments under the seat.
1. Owner’s manual
2. Low-pressure tire gauge
3. Owner’s tool kit3
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Periodic maintenance chart for the emission control system
NOTE:


For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the month maintenance intervals.

For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the km (mi) or hours maintenance inter-
vals. However, keep in mind that if the ATV isn’t used for a long period of time, the month maintenance
intervals should be followed.

Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools,
data and technical skills.
NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth 1 3 6 6 12
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 3201
*
Fuel line


Check fuel hoses for cracks or other damage, and
replace if necessary.
√√√
2 Spark plug

Check condition and clean, regap, or replace if
necessary.
√√√√√
3
*
Valves


Check valve clearance and adjust if necessary.
√ √√√
4
*
Carburetor


Check choke operation and correct if necessary.

Check engine idling speed and adjust if neces-
sary.
√√√√
5
*
Crankcase breather
system


Check breather hose for cracks or other damage,
and replace if necessary.
√√√

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*
Shock absorber
assemblies

Check operation and correct if necessary.

Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
10
*
Front knuckle piv-
ots


Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
11
*
Steering shaft


Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
12
*
Steering system


Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.

Check toe-in and adjust if necessary.
√√√√√
13 Engine oil

Change.

Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.
√ √√√
14 Final gear oil

Change.

Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.
√√
15
*
Moving parts and
cables


Lubricate.
√√√√
16
*
Throttle lever hous-
ing and cable


Check operation and correct if necessary.

Check throttle cable free play and adjust if neces-
sary.

Lubricate throttle lever housing and cable.
√√√√√
17
*
Front and rear brake
switches


Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√√
18
*
Battery


Check electrolyte level and specific gravity, and
correct if necessary.

Make sure that the breather hose is properly
routed.
√√√√√
NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320

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Checking 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.
2. Remove the spark plug as shown, with thespark 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 operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ATV.
1. Spark plug cap
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1. Spark plug wrench
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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.2. 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 as
soon as possible.
4. Install the spark plug cap.
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Engine oil
The engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR7HSA
Spark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
1. Spark plug gap
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
12.5 Nm (1.25 m·kgf, 9.0 ft·lbf)

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To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Check the engine oil level on a cold engine.
NOTE:

If the engine was started before checking the oil
level, be sure to warm up the engine sufficiently,
and then wait at least ten minutes until the oil set-
tles for an accurate reading.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then
wipe the dipstick off with a clean rag.
4. Insert the dipstick into the filler hole (withoutscrewing it in), and then remove it again to
check the oil level.NOTE:

The engine oil should be between the minimum
and maximum level marks.
5. 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.
6. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler hole, and
then tighten the engine oil filler cap.
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Dipstick
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1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
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To change the engine oil
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for several min-
utes, and then turn it off.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect
the used oil.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then re-
move the engine oil drain bolt to drain the oil
from the crankcase.
5. Check the O-ring for damage and replace it if
necessary.
6. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and then tight-
en it to the specified torque.7. Add the specified amount of the recommend-
ed engine oil, and then install and tighten the
engine oil filler cap.CAUTION:
ECB00300

In order to prevent clutch slippage (since the
engine oil also lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do not use oils
with a diesel specification of “CD” or oils of
a higher quality than specified. In addition,
do not use oils labeled “ENERGY CONSERV-
ING II” or higher.

Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.
8. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several
1. Engine oil drain bolt
1

Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
20 Nm (2.0 m·kgf, 14.5 ft·lbf)
Recommended oil:
See page 10-1.
Oil quantity:
0.80 L (0.85 US qt) (0.70 Imp.qt)

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minutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
9. Turn the engine off, wait at least ten minutes,
and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
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Final 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 cold
engine.
2. Remove the final gear oil filler cap, wipe the
dipstick off with a clean rag, insert it back into
the oil filler hole (without screwing it in), and
then remove it again to check the oil level.
NOTE:

The final gear oil should be between the minimum
and maximum level marks.
3. If the oil is at or below the minimum level mark,
add sufficient oil of the recommended type to
raise it to the correct level.
4. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler hole, and
then tighten the oil filler cap.
1. Final gear oil filler cap
2. Dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
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2. Remove the air filter case cover by unhooking
the holders.3. Unhook the holder holding the air filter ele-
ment, and then pull out the sponge material
from the air filter element.
4. Wash the sponge material gently but thor-
oughly in solvent.
WARNING

EWB01940
Always use parts cleaning solvent to clean the
sponge material. Never use low-flash-point
solvents or gasoline to clean the sponge mate-
rial because the engine could catch fire or ex-
1. Air filter case cover
2. Air filter case holder
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1. Air filter element holder
2. Sponge material
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plode.
5. Squeeze the excess solvent out of the sponge
material and let it dry.
CAUTION:

ECB00440
Do not twist the sponge material when squeez-
ing it.
6. Check the sponge material and replace it if
damaged.
7. Apply a quality foam air filter oil to the sponge
material.
NOTE:

The sponge material should be wet but not drip-
ping.
8. Install the sponge material into the air filter el-
ement.
9. Place the air filter element in the original posi-
tion, and then hook the holder.
10. Install the air filter case cover by hooking the
holders onto the air filter case.
11. Install the panel by installing the bolts.
NOTE:

The air filter element should be cleaned every 20–
40 hours. It should be cleaned and lubricated more
often if the ATV is operated in extremely dusty ar-
eas. Each time the air filter element maintenance
is performed, check the air inlet of the air filter case
for obstructions.
CAUTION:

ECB00460

Make sure that the air filter element is prop-
erly seated in the air filter case.

Never operate the engine with the air filter el-
ement removed. This will allow unfiltered air
to enter the engine, causing rapid engine
wear and possible engine damage. Addition-
ally, operation without the air filter element
will affect carburetor jetting with subsequent