YAMAHA YZ250F 2008 User Guide

1-1
DESCRIPTION
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
• The machine you have purchased may differ slightly from those shown in the following.
• Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice.
1. Clutch lever
2. Hot starter lever
3. Front brake lever
4. Throttle grip
5. Radiator cap
6. Fuel tank cap
7. Engine stop switch
8. Kickstarter crank
9. Fuel tank
10. Radiator
11. Coolant drain bolt
12. Rear brake pedal
13. Valve joint14. Fuel cock
15. Cold starter knob
16. Drive chain
17. Air filter
18. Oil level check window
19. Shift pedal
20. Front fork
1

1-2
MACHINE IDENTIFICATION
MACHINE IDENTIFICATION
There are two significant reasons for
knowing the serial number of your
machine:
1. When ordering parts, you can give the number to your Yamaha
dealer for positive identification of
the model you own.
2. If your machine is stolen, the au-
thorities will need the number to
search for and identify your ma-
chine.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER
The vehicle identification number "1"
is stamped on the right of the steering
head pipe.
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The engine serial number "1" is
stamped into the elevated part of the
right-side of the engine.
MODEL LABEL
The model label "1" is affixed to the
frame under the rider's seat. This in-
formation will be needed to order
spare parts.
INCLUDED PARTS
DETACHABLE SIDESTAND
This sidestand "1" is used to support
only the machine when standing or
transporting it.
• Never apply additional force to the sidestand.
• Remove this sidestand before
starting out.
VALVE JOINT
This valve joint "1" prevents fuel from
flowing out and is installed to the fuel
tank breather hose.
In this installation, make sure the
arrow faces the fuel tank and also
downward.
SPARK PLUG WRENCH
This spark plug wrench "1" is used to
remove and install the spark plug.
NIPPLE WRENCH
This nipple wrench "1" is used to
tighten the spoke.
JET NEEDLE PULL-UP TOOL
The jet needle pull-up tool "1" is used
to pull the jet needle out of the carbu-
retor.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PREPARATION FOR REMOVAL
AND DISASSEMBLY
1. Remove all dirt, mud, dust, and foreign material before removal
and disassembly.
• When washing the machine with high pressured water, cover the
parts follows.
Silencer exhaust port
Side cover air intake port
Water pump housing hole at the
bottom
Drain hole on the cylinder head
(right side)
2. Use proper tools and cleaning equipment. Refer to "SPECIAL
TOOLS" section.
3. When disassembling the ma- chine, keep mated parts together.
They include gears, cylinders,
pistons, and other mated parts
that have been "mated" through
normal wear. Mated parts must
be reused as an assembly or re-
placed.

1-3
CHECKING OF CONNECTION
4. During the machine disassembly, clean all parts and place them in
trays in the order of disassembly.
This will speed up assembly time
and help assure that all parts are
correctly reinstalled.
5. Keep away from fire.
ALL REPLACEMENT PARTS
1. We recommend to use Yamaha genuine parts for all replace-
ments. Use oil and/or grease rec-
ommended by Yamaha for
assembly and adjustment.
GASKETS, OIL SEALS AND O-
RINGS
1. All gaskets, oil seals, and O-rings should be replaced when an en-
gine is overhauled. All gasket sur-
faces, oil seal lips, and O-rings
must be cleaned.
2. Properly oil all mating parts and bearings during reassembly. Ap-
ply grease to the oil seal lips.
LOCK WASHERS/PLATES AND
COTTER PINS
1. All lock washers/plates "1" and cotter pins must be replaced
when they are removed. Lock
tab(s) should be bent along the
bolt or nut flat(s) after the bolt or
nut has been properly tightened.
BEARINGS AND OIL SEALS
1. Install the bearing(s) "1" and oil seal(s) "2" with their manufactur-
er's marks or numbers facing out-
ward. (In other words, the
stamped letters must be on the
side exposed to view.) When in-
stalling oil seal(s), apply a light
coating of lightweight lithium base
grease to the seal lip(s). Oil the
bearings liberally when installing.
Do not use compressed air to spin
the bearings dry. This causes dam- age to the bearing surfaces.
CIRCLIPS
1. All circlips should be inspected
carefully before reassembly. Al-
ways replace piston pin clips after
one use. Replace distorted cir-
clips. When installing a circlip "1",
make sure that the sharp-edged
corner "2" is positioned opposite
to the thrust "3" it receives. See
the sectional view.
CHECKING OF
CONNECTION
Dealing with stains, rust, moisture,
etc. on the connector.
1. Disconnect:ŒConnector
2. Dry each terminal with an air blower.
3. Connect and disconnect the con- nector two or three times.
4. Pull the lead to check that it will not come off.
5. If the terminal comes off, bend up the pin "1" and reinsert the termi-
nal into the connector. 6. Connect:
ŒConnector
The two connectors "click" together.
7. Check for continuity with a tester.
• If there in no continuity, clean the
terminals.
• Be sure to perform the steps 1 to 7 listed above when checking the
wire harness.
• For a field remedy, use a contact re- vitalizer available on the market.
• Use the tester on the connector as
shown.

1-4
SPECIAL TOOLS
SPECIAL TOOLS
The proper special tools are necessary for complete and accurate tune-up and assembly. Using the correct special tool will
help prevent damage caused by the use of improper tools or improvised techniques. The shape and part number used for
the special tool differ by country, so two types are provided. Refer to the list provided to avoid errors when placing an order.
• For U.S.A. and Canada, use part number starting with "YM-", "YU-" or "ACC-".
• For others, use part number starting with "90890-".
Tool name/Part number How to useIllustration
Crankcase separating tool
YU-1135-A, 90890-01135 These tool is used to remove the
crankshaft from either case.
Flywheel puller
YM-1189, 90890-01189 This tool is used to remove the fly-
wheel magneto.
Rotor holding tool
YU-1235, 90890-01235 This tool is used when loosening or
tightening the flywheel magneto se-
curing nut.
Dial gauge and stand
YU-3097, 90890-01252
Stand
YU-1256 These tools are used to check each
part for runout or bent.
Crankshaft installing tool
Crankshaft installing pot
YU-90050, 90890-01274
Crankshaft installing bolt
YU-90050, 90890-01275
Spacer (crankshaft installer)
YU-91044, 90890-04081
Adapter (M12)
YU-90063, 90890-01278 These tools are used to install the
crankshaft.
Piston pin puller set
YU-1304, 90890-01304 This tool is used to remove the pis-
ton pin.

1-5
SPECIAL TOOLS
Radiator cap tester
YU-24460-01, 90890-01325
Radiator cap tester adapter
YU-33984, 90890-01352These tools are used for checking
the cooling system.
Steering nut wrench
YU-33975, 90890-01403 This tool is used when tighten the
steering ring nut to specification.
Cap bolt wrench
YM-01500, 90890-01500 This tool is used to loosen or tighten
the base valve.
Cap bolt ring wrench
YM-01501, 90890-01501 This tool is used to loosen or tighten
the damper assembly.
Fork seal driver
YM-A0948, 90890-01502 This tool is used when install the fork
oil seal.
Pocket tester
YU-3112-C, 90890-03112 Use this tool to inspect the coil resis-
tance, output voltage and amper-
age.
Tool name/Part number
How to useIllustration

1-6
SPECIAL TOOLS
Timing light
YM-33277-A, 90890-03141 This tool is necessary for checking
ignition timing.
Valve spring compressor
YM-4019, 90890-04019 This tool is needed to remove and
install the valve assemblies.
Clutch holding tool
YM-91042, 90890-04086 This tool is used to hold the clutch
when removing or installing the
clutch boss securing nut.
Valve guide remover
Intake 4.0 mm (0.16 in)
Exhaust 4.5 mm (0.18 in)
YM-4111, 90890-04111
YM-4116, 90890-04116 This tool is needed to remove and
install the valve guide.
Valve guide installer
Intake 4.0 mm (0.16 in)
Exhaust 4.5 mm (0.18 in)
YM-4112, 90890-04112
YM-4117, 90890-04117 This tool is needed to install the
valve guide.
Valve guide reamer
Intake 4.0 mm (0.16 in)
Exhaust 4.5 mm (0.18 in)
YM-4113, 90890-04113
YM-4118, 90890-04118 This tool is needed to rebore the
new valve guide.
Tool name/Part number How to use Illustration

1-7
SPECIAL TOOLS
Dynamic spark tester
YM-34487
Ignition checker
90890-06754This instrument is necessary for
checking the ignition system compo-
nents.
YAMAHA Bond No. 1215 (ThreeB-
ond
® No. 1215)
90890-85505 This sealant (Bond) is used for
crankcase mating surface, etc.
Tool name/Part number How to use Illustration

1-8
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
ENGINE STOP SWITCH
The engine stop switch "1" is located
on the left handlebar. Continue push-
ing the engine stop switch till the en-
gine comes to a stop.
CLUTCH LEVER
The clutch lever "1" is located on the
left handlebar; it disengages or en-
gages the clutch. Pull the clutch lever
to the handlebar to disengage the
clutch, and release the lever to en-
gage the clutch. The lever should be
pulled rapidly and released slowly for
smooth starts.
SHIFT PEDAL
The gear ratios of the constant-mesh
5 speed transmission are ideally
spaced. The gears can be shifted by
using the shift pedal "1" on the left
side of the engine.
KICKSTARTER CRANK
Rotate the kickstarter crank "1" away
from the engine. Push the starter
down lightly with your foot until the
gears engage, then kick smoothly
and forcefully to start the engine. This
model has a primary kickstarter crank
so the engine can be started in any
gear if the clutch is disengaged. In
normal practices, however, shift to
neutral before starting.THROTTLE GRIP
The throttle grip "1" is located on the
right handlebar; it accelerates or de-
celerates the engine. For accelera-
tion, turn the grip toward you; for
deceleration, turn it away from you.
FRONT BRAKE LEVER
The front brake lever "1" is located on
the right handlebar. Pull it toward the
handlebar to activate the front brake.
REAR BRAKE PEDAL
The rear brake pedal "1" is located on
the right side of the machine. Press
down on the brake pedal to activate
the rear brake.
FUEL COCK
The fuel cock supplies fuel from the
tank to carburetor and also filters the
fuel. The fuel cock has the two posi-
tions:
OFF:
With the lever in this position, fuel will
not flow. Always return the lever to
this position when the engine is not
running.
ON:
With the lever in this position, fuel
flows to the carburetor. Normal riding
is done with the lever in this position.COLD STARTER KNOB
When cold, the engine requires a
richer air-fuel mixture for starting. A
separate starter circuit, which is con-
trolled by the cold starter knob "1",
supplies this mixture. Pull the cold
starter knob out to open the circuit for
starting. When the engine has
warmed up, push it in to close the cir-
cuit.
HOT STARTER LEVER
The hot starter lever "1" is used when
starting a warm engine. Use the hot
starter lever when starting the engine
again immediately after it was
stopped (the engine is still warm).
Pulling the hot starter lever injects
secondary air to thin the air-fuel mix-
ture temporarily, allowing the engine
to be started more easily.
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
FUEL
Always use the recommended fuel as
stated below. Also, be sure to use
new gasoline the day of a race.
Use only unleaded gasoline. The
use of leaded gasoline will cause
severe damage to the engine inter-
nal parts such as valves, piston
rings, and exhaust system, etc.
Recommended fuel:
Premium unleaded
gasoline only with a re-
search octane number
of 95 or higher.

1-9
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
If knocking or pinging occurs, use a
different brand of gasoline or higher
octane grade.
• For refueling, be sure to stop the engine and use enough care not
to spill any fuel. Also be sure to
avoid refueling close to a fire.
• Refuel after the engine, exhaust pipe, etc. have cooled off.
HANDLING NOTE
Never start or run the engine in a
closed area. The exhaust fumes
are poisonous; they can cause
loss of consciousness and death
in a very short time. Always oper-
ate the machine in a well-ventilated
area.
• The carburetor on this machine has a built-in accelerator pump.
Therefore, when starting the en-
gine, do not operate the throttle
or the spark plug will foul.
• Unlike a two-stroke engine, this engine cannot be kick started
when the throttle is open be-
cause the kickstarter may kick
back. Also, if the throttle is open
the air/fuel mixture may be too
lean for the engine to start.
• Before starting the machine, per-
form the checks in the pre-opera-
tion check list.
STARTING A COLD ENGINE
1. Inspect the coolant level.
2. Turn the fuel cock to "ON".
3. Shift the transmission into neutral.
4. Fully open the cold starter knob "1".
5. Kick the kickstarter crank.
Do not open the throttle while kick-
ing the kickstarter crank. Other-
wise, the kickstarter crank may
kick back.
6. Return the cold starter knob to its
original position and run the en-
gine at 3,000–5,000 r/min for 1 or
2 minutes.
Since this model is equipped with an
accelerator pump, if the engine is
raced (the throttle opened and
closed), the air/fuel mixture will be too
rich and the engine may stall. Also
unlike a two-stroke engine, this model
can idle.
Do not warm up the engine for ex-
tended periods of time.
STARTING A WARM ENGINE
Do not operate the cold starter knob
and throttle. Pull the hot starter lever
"1" and start the engine by kicking
the kickstarter crank forcefully with a
firm stroke. As soon as the engine
starts, release the hot starter lever to
close the air passage.
Restarting an engine after a fall
Pull the hot starter lever and start the
engine. As soon as the engine starts,
release the hot starter lever to close
the air passage. The engine fails to start
Pull the hot starter lever all the way
out and while holding the lever, kick
the kickstarter crank 10 to 20 times to
clear the engine. Then, restart the en-
gine. Refer to "Restarting an engine
after a fall".
Observe the following break-in
procedures during initial operation
to ensure optimum performance
and avoid engine damage.
Thrott
le
grip
oper-
ation* Cold
start- er
knob Hot
start-
er le- ver
Star
ting
a
cold
en-
gine Air tem-
perature =
less than
5 °C (41
°F)
Open
3 or 4
times ON OFF
Air tem-
perature =
more than
5 °C (41
°F) None ON OFF
Air tem-
perature
(normal
tempera-
ture) = be-
tween 5
°C (41 °F)
and 25 °C
(77 °F) None
ON/
OFF OFF
Air tem-
perature =
more than
25 °C (77
°F) None OFF OFF
Starting an en-
gine after a long
period of time None ON OFF
Restarting a
warm engine None OFF ON
Restarting an
engine after a
fall None OFF ON
* Operate the throttle grip before kick
starting.

1-10
STARTING AND BREAK-IN
BREAK-IN PROCEDURES
1. Before starting the engine, fill the fuel tank with the fuel.
2. Perform the pre-operation checks
on the machine.
3. Start and warm up the engine. Check the idle speed, and check
the operation of the controls and
the engine stop switch. Then, re-
start the engine and check its op-
eration within no more than 5
minutes after it is restarted.
4. Operate the machine in the lower
gears at moderate throttle open-
ings for five to eight minutes.
5. Check how the engine runs when
the machine is ridden with the
throttle 1/4 to 1/2 open (low to me-
dium speed) for about one hour.
6. Restart the engine and check the operation of the machine through-
out its entire operating range. Re-
start the machine and operate it
for about 10 to 15 more minutes.
The machine will now be ready to
race.
• After the break-in or before each race, you must check the entire
machine for loose fittings and
fasteners as per "TORQUE-
CHECK POINTS". Tighten all
such fasteners as required.
• When any of the following parts
have been replaced, they must
be broken in.
CYLINDER AND CRANKSHAFT:
About one hour of break-in oper-
ation is necessary.
PISTON, RING, VALVES, CAM-
SHAFTS AND GEARS:
These parts require about 30
minutes of break-in operation at
half-throttle or less. Observe the
condition of the engine carefully
during operation.