check engine YAMAHA YZ250F 2012 Owner's Manual

4-8
RADIATOR
HANDLING NOTE
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 radiator cap by the following
procedure:
Place a thick rag, like a towel, over
the radiator cap, slowly rotate the
cap counterclockwise to the de-
tent. This procedure allows any re-
sidual pressure to escape. When
the hissing sound has stopped,
press down on the cap while turn-
ing counterclockwise and remove
it.
CHECKING THE RADIATOR
1. Inspect:
• Radiator core "1"
Obstruction→Blow out with com-
pressed air through rear of the ra-
diator.
Bent fin→Repair/replace.
INSTALLING THE RADIATOR
1. Install:
• O-ring "1"
• Radiator pipe 1 "2"
• Bolt (radiator pipe) "3"
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.
2. Install:
• Radiator breather hose "1"
• Radiator hose 2 "2"
• Radiator hose 4 "3"
• Pipe "4"
• Radiator hose 5 "5"
• Radiator hose 3 "6"
To right radiator "7".
3. Install:
• Right radiator "1"
• Bolt (right radiator) "2"
• Radiator hose 5 "3"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2.
4. Install:
• Left radiator "1"
• Bolt (left radiator) "2"
• Radiator hose 1 "3"
Refer to "CABLE ROUTING DIA-
GRAM" section in the CHAPTER
2.
5. Tighten:
• Radiator hose clamp "4"6. Install:
• Radiator guard "1"
First fit the inner hook portion "a" and
then the outer one "b" onto the radia-
tor.
Bolt (radiator pipe):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (right radiator):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (left radiator):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Radiator hose 1:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)
Radiator hose clamp:
2 Nm (0.2 m•kg, 1.4
ft•lb)

4-12
CARBURETOR
HANDLING NOTE
Do not loosen the screw (throttle
position sensor) "1" except when
changing the throttle position sen-
sor due to failure because it will
cause a drop in engine perfor-
mance.
REMOVING THE PILOT SCREW
1. Remove:
• Pilot screw "1"
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.
CHECKING THE CARBURETOR
1. Inspect:
• Carburetor body
Contamination→Clean.
• Use a petroleum based solvent for
cleaning. Blow out all passages and
jets with compressed air.
• Never use a wire.
2. Inspect:
•Main jet "1"
• Pilot jet "2"
• Needle jet "3"
• Starter jet "4"
•Pilot air jet "5"
• Leak jet "6"
Damage→Replace.
Contamination→Clean.
• Use a petroleum based solvent for
cleaning. Blow out all passages and
jets with compressed air.
• Never use a wire.
CHECKING THE NEEDLE VALVE
1. Inspect:
• Needle valve "1"
• Valve seat "2"
Grooved wear "a" →Replace.
Dust "b" →Clean.
• Filter "c"
Clogged→Clean.
CHECKING THE THROTTLE
VALVE
1. Check:
• Free movement
Stick→Repair or replace.
Insert the throttle valve "1" into the
carburetor body, and check for free
movement.
CHECKING THE JET NEEDLE
1. Inspect:
• Jet needle "1"
Bends/wear→Replace.
• Clip groove
Free play exists/wear→Replace.
• Clip position
MEASURING AND ADJUSTING
THE FLOAT HEIGHT
1. Measure:
• Float height "a"
Out of specification→Adjust.
Measurement and adjustment
steps:
a. Hold the carburetor in an upside
down position.
• Slowly tilt the carburetor in the op-
posite direction, then take the mea-
surement when the needle valve
aligns with the float arm.
• If the carburetor is level, the weight
of the float will push in the needle
valve, resulting in an incorrect mea-
surement.
b. Measure the distance between
the mating surface of the float
chamber and top of the float using
a vernier calipers.
The float arm should be resting on the
needle valve, but not compressing
the needle valve.
Standard clip position:
No.5 Groove
Float height:
6.0 mm (0.24 in)

4-19
CAMSHAFTS
4. Measure:
• Camshaft-to-cap clearance
Out of specification→Measure
camshaft outside diameter.
Measurement steps:
a. Install the camshaft onto the cylin-
der head.
b. Position a strip of Plastigauge
®
"1" onto the camshaft.
c. Install the clip, dowel pins and
camshaft caps.
• Tighten the bolts (camshaft cap) in
a crisscross pattern from innermost
to outer caps.
• Do not turn the camshaft when
measuring clearance with the
Plastigauge
®.
d. Remove the camshaft caps and
measure the width of the Plasti-
gauge
® "1".
5. Measure:
• Camshaft outside diameter "a"
Out of specification→Replace the
camshaft.
Within specification→Replace
camshaft case and camshaft
caps as a set.CHECKING THE CAMSHAFT
SPROCKET
1. Inspect:
• Camshaft sprocket "1"
Wear/damage→Replace the
camshaft assembly and timing
chain as a set.
CHECKING THE
DECOMPRESSION SYSTEM
1. Check:
• Decompression system
Checking steps:
a. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam "1" moves
smoothly.
b. Check that the decompression
mechanism cam lever pin "2" proj-
ects from the camshaft.
CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN
TENSIONER
1. Check:
• While pressing the tensioner rod
lightly with fingers, use a thin
screwdriver "1" and wind the ten-
sioner 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 as-
sembly.INSTALLING THE CAMSHAFT
1. Install:
• Exhaust camshaft "1"
• Intake camshaft "2"
Installation steps:
a. Turn the crankshaft counterclock-
wise with a wrench.
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the camshafts.
• Apply the engine oil on the decom-
pression system.
• Squeezing the decompression le-
ver allows the crankshaft to be
turned easily.
b. 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. Camshaft-to-cap clear-
ance:
0.028–0.062 mm
(0.0011–0.0024 in)
:0.08 mm (0.003
in)
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Camshaft outside diame-
ter:
21.959–21.972 mm
(0.8645–0.8650 in)

4-26
VALVES AND VALVE SPRINGS
h. Press the valve through the valve
guide and onto the valve seat to
make a clear pattern.
i. Measure the valve seat width
again. If the valve seat width is out
of specification, reface and relap
the valve seat.
CHECKING THE VALVE SPRINGS
1. Measure:
• Valve spring free length "a"
Out of specification→Replace.
2. Measure:
• Compressed spring force "a"
Out of specification→Replace.
b. Installed length
3. Measure:
• Spring tilt "a"
Out of specification→Replace.CHECKING THE VALVE LIFTERS
1. Inspect:
• Valve lifter
Scratches/damage→Replace
both lifters and cylinder head.
INSTALLING THE VALVES
1. Apply:
• Molybdenum disulfide oil
Onto the valve stem and valve
stem seal.
2. Install:
• Valve "1"
• Valve spring seat "2"
• Valve stem seal "3"
• Valve spring "4"
• Valve spring retainer "5"
To cylinder head.
• Make sure that each valve is in-
stalled in its original place, also re-
ferring to the painted color as
follows.
Intake (middle) "a": Sky blue
Intake (right/left) "b": not paint
Exhaust "c": Purple
• Install the valve springs with the
larger pitch "d" facing upward.
e. Smaller pitch
3. Install:
• Valve cotter
While compressing the valve spring
with a valve spring compressor "1" in-
stall the valve cotters.
4. To secure the valve cotters onto
the valve stem, lightly tap the
valve tip with a piece of wood.
Hitting the valve tip with excessive
force could damage the valve.
5. Install:
• Adjusting pad "1"
• Valve lifter "2"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil
on the valve stem end.
• Apply the engine oil on the valve lift-
ers.
• Valve lifter must turn smoothly
when rotated with a finger.
• Be careful to reinstall valve lifters
and pads in their original place.
Free length (valve
spring):
Intake:
39.76 mm (1.57 in)
: 38.76 mm
(1.53 in)
Exhaust:
37.78 mm (1.49 in)
: 36.78 mm
(1.45 in)
Compressed spring
force:
Intake:
99–114 N at 28.98 mm
(9.9–11.4 kg at 28.98
mm, 22.27–25.57 lb at
1.14 in)
Exhaust:
126–145 N at 28.30
mm (12.6–14.5 kg at
28.30 mm,
28.44–31.97 lb at 1.11
in)
Spring tilt limit:
Intake:
2.5°/1.7 mm (0.067 in)
Exhaust:
2.5°/1.6 mm (0.063 in)
Valve spring compres-
sor:
YM-4019/90890-04019

4-29
CYLINDER AND PISTON
2. Position:
• Piston ring
(in cylinder)
Insert a ring into the cylinder and
push it approximately 10 mm (0.39 in)
into the cylinder. Push the ring with
the piston crown so that the ring will
be at a right angle to the cylinder
bore.
a. 10 mm (0.39 in)
3. Measure:
• Ring end gap
Out of specification→Replace.
You cannot measure the end gap on
the expander spacer of the oil control
ring. If the oil control ring rails show
excessive gap, replace all three rings.
CHECKING THE PISTON PIN
1. Inspect:
• Piston pin
Blue discoloration/grooves→Re-
place, then inspect the lubrication
system.
2. Measure:
• Piston pin-to-piston clearance
Measurement steps:
a. Measure the outside diameter
(piston pin) "a".
If out of specification, replace the
piston pin.b. Measure the inside diameter (pis-
ton) "b".
c. Calculate the piston pin-to-piston
clearance with the following for-
mula.
d. If out of specification, replace the
piston.
INSTALLING THE PISTON RING
AND PISTON
1. Install:
•Piston ring
Onto the piston.
• 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.
a. Top ring
b. 2nd ring2. Position:
•Top ring
•2nd ring
•Oil ring
Offset the piston ring end gaps as
shown.
a. Top ring end
b. 2nd ring end
c. Oil ring end (upper)
d. Oil ring
e. Oil ring end (lower)
3. Install:
• Piston "1"
• Piston pin "2"
• Piston pin clip "3"
• Apply engine oil onto the piston pin
and piston.
• Install the piston with the valve re-
cess "a" (at two points) facing to the
engine exhaust side.
• Before installing the piston pin clip,
cover the crankcase with a clean
rag to prevent the piston pin clip
from falling into the crankcase.
End gap:
Standard
Top
ring0.15–0.25 mm
(0.006–0.010 in)0.50
mm
(0.020
in)
2nd
ring0.30–0.45 mm
(0.012–0.018 in)0.80
mm
(0.031
in)
Oil
ring0.10–0.40 mm
(0.004–0.016 in)—
Outside diameter (piston
pin):
15.991–16.000 mm
(0.6296–0.6299 in)
Inside diameter (piston):
16.002–16.013 mm
(0.6300–0.6304 in)
Piston pin-to-piston clearance =
Inside diameter (piston) "b" -
Outside diameter (piston pin)
"a"
Piston pin-to-piston
clearance:
0.002–0.022 mm
(0.0001–0.0009 in)
:0.07 mm (0.003
in)

4-33
CLUTCH
REMOVING THE CLUTCH BOSS
1. Remove:
•Nut "1"
• Lock washer "2"
• Clutch boss "3"
Straighten the lock washer tab and
use the clutch holding tool "4" to hold
the clutch boss.
A. For USA and CDN
B. Except for USA and CDN
CHECKING THE CLUTCH
HOUSING AND BOSS
1. Inspect:
• Clutch housing "1"
Cracks/wear/damage→Replace.
• Clutch boss "2"
Scoring/wear/damage→Replace.
CHECKING THE PRIMARY DRIVEN
GEAR
1. Check:
• Circumferential play
Free play exists→Replace.
• Gear teeth "a"
Wear/damage→Replace.CHECKING THE CLUTCH
SPRINGS
1. Measure:
• Clutch spring free length "a"
Out of specification→Replace
springs as a set.
CHECKING THE FRICTION
PLATES
1. Measure:
• Friction plate thickness
Out of specification→Replace
friction plate as a set.
Measure at all four points.
CHECKING THE CLUTCH PLATES
1. Measure:
• Clutch plate warpage
Out of specification→Replace
clutch plate as a set.
Use a surface plate "1" and thick-
ness gauge "2".CHECKING THE PUSH LEVER
SHAFT
1. Inspect:
• Push lever shaft "1"
Wear/damage→Replace.
CHECKING THE PUSH ROD
1. Inspect:
• Push rod 1 "1"
• Bearing "2"
• Washer "3"
• Push rod 2 "4"
•Ball "5"
Wear/damage/bend→Replace.
INSTALLING THE PUSH LEVER
SHAFT
1. Install:
• Push lever shaft "1"
• Bolt (push lever shaft) "2"
• Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the oil seal lip.
• Apply the engine oil on the push le-
ver shaft.
• Fit the seat plate "3" in the groove
"a" of the push lever shaft and tight-
en the bolt (seat plate).
Clutch holding tool:
YM-91042/90890-04086
Clutch spring free
length:
35.7 mm (1.41 in)
: 34.7 mm (1.37
in)
Friction plate thickness:
2.9–3.1 mm
(0.114–0.122 in)
: 2.8 mm (0.110
in)
Warp limit:
0.1 mm (0.004 in)
Bolt (push lever shaft):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)

4-41
BALANCER
REMOVING THE BALANCER
1. Straighten the lock washer tab.
2. Loosen:
• Nut (primary drive gear) "1"
• Nut (balancer shaft driven gear)
"2"
Place an aluminum plate "a" between
the teeth of the balancer shaft drive
gear "3" and driven gear "4".
3. Remove:
• Balancer shaft "1"
When removing the balancer shaft,
align the center "a" of the balancer
shaft weight along the line connecting
the centers of the crankshaft and bal-
ancer shaft.
CHECKING THE PRIMARY DRIVE
GEAR, BALANCER SHAFT DRIVE
GEAR AND BALANCER SHAFT
DRIVEN GEAR
1. Inspect:
• Primary drive gear "1"
• Balancer shaft drive gear "2"
• Balancer shaft driven gear "3"
Wear/damage→Replace.CHECKING THE BALANCER
SHAFT
1. Inspect:
• Balancer shaft
Cracks/damage→Replace.
INSTALLING THE BALANCER
1. Install:
• Balancer shaft "1"
• Apply the engine oil on the bearing.
• When installing the balancer shaft,
align the center "a" of the balancer
shaft weight along the line connect-
ing the centers of the crankshaft
and balancer shaft.
2. Install:
• Balancer shaft driven gear "1"
Install the balancer shaft driven gear
onto the balancer shaft while aligning
the punch mark "a" on the balancer
shaft driven gear with the lower spline
"b" on the balancer shaft end.
3. Install:
• Balancer shaft drive gear "1"
• Align the punched mark "a" on the
balancer shaft drive gear with the
punched mark "b" on the balancer
shaft driven gear "2".
• Align the punched mark "c" on the
balancer shaft drive gear with the
lower spline "d" on the crankshaft
end.
4. Install:
• Lock washer "1"
• Nut (balancer shaft driven gear)
"2"
• Primary drive gear "3"
• Lock washer "4"
• Nut (primary drive gear) "5"
• Install the primary drive gear with its
stepped side "a" facing the engine.
• Place an aluminum plate "b" be-
tween the teeth of the balancer
shaft drive gear "6" and driven gear
"7".
5. Bend the lock washer tab.
Nut (balancer shaft driv-
en gear):
50 Nm (5.0 m•kg, 36
ft•lb)
Nut (primary drive gear):
75 Nm (7.5 m•kg, 54
ft•lb)

4-44
OIL PUMP
CHECKING THE OIL PUMP
1. Inspect:
• Oil pump drive gear "1"
• Oil pump drive shaft "2"
• Rotor housing "3"
• Oil pump cover "4"
Cracks/wear/damage→Replace.
2. Measure:
• Tip clearance "a"
(between the inner rotor "1" and
outer rotor "2")
• Side clearance "b"
(between the outer rotor "2" and
rotor housing "3")
• Housing and rotor clearance "c"
(between the rotor housing "3"
and rotors "1" "2")
Out of specification→Replace the
oil pump assembly.3. Check:
• Unsmooth→Repeat steps #1 and
#2 or replace the defective parts.
INSTALLING THE OIL PUMP
1. Install:
• Oil pump drive shaft "1"
• Washer "2"
• Dowel pin "3"
• Inner rotor 1 "4"
• Apply the engine oil on the oil pump
drive shaft and inner rotor 1.
• Fit the dowel pin into the groove in
the inner rotor 1.
2. Install:
• Outer rotor 1 "1"
Apply the engine oil on the outer rotor
1.
3. Install:
• Oil pump cover "1"
• Screw (oil pump cover) "2"
• Dowel pin "3"
• Inner rotor 2 "4"
• Circlip "5"
• Apply the engine oil on the inner ro-
tor 2.
• Fit the dowel pin into the groove in
the inner rotor 2.
4. Install:
• Outer rotor 2 "1"
• Dowel pin "2"
• Oil pump assembly "3"
• Bolt (oil pump assembly)
[L = 25 mm (0.94 in)] "4"
• Bolt (oil pump assembly)
[L = 30 mm (1.18 in)] "5"
Apply the engine oil on the outer rotor
2.
5. Install:
• Oil pump drive gear "1"
• Washer "2"
• Circlip "3"
Apply the engine oil on the oil pump
drive gear inner circumference.
Tip clearance "a":
0.12 mm or less (0.0047
in or less)
: 0.20 mm
(0.008 in)
Side clearance "b":
0.09–0.17 mm
(0.0035–0.0067 in)
: 0.24 mm
(0.009 in)
Housing and rotor clear-
ance "c":
0.03–0.10 mm
(0.0012–0.0039 in)
: 0.17 mm
(0.0067 in)
Screw (oil pump cover):
1.7 Nm (0.17 m•kg, 1.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (oil pump assem-
bly):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (oil pump assem-
bly):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)

4-60
CRANKCASE AND CRANKSHAFT
DISASSEMBLING THE
CRANKCASE
1. Separate:
• Right crankcase
• Left crankcase
Separation steps:
a. Remove the crankcase bolts "1",
hose guide "2" and clutch cable
holder "3".
Loosen each bolt 1/4 of a turn at a
time and after all the bolts are loos-
ened, remove them.
b. Remove the right crankcase "4".
• Place the crankcase with its left half
downward and split the right half
apart while lifting it horizontally by
lightly tapping the projection "a" on
it using a soft hammer.
• When splitting it, leave the crank-
shaft and transmission with the left
half.
Use soft hammer to tap on the
case half. Tap only on reinforced
portions of case. Do not tap on
gasket mating surface. Work slow-
ly and carefully. Make sure the
case halves separate evenly. If the
cases do not separate, check for a
remaining case bolt or fitting. Do
not force.
c. Remove the dowel pins and O-
ring.
REMOVING THE CRANKSHAFT
1. Remove:
• Crankshaft "1"
Use the crankcase separating
tool "2".
Do not use a hammer to drive out
the crankshaft.
REMOVING THE CRANKCASE
BEARING
1. Remove:
•Bearing "1"
• Remove the bearing from the
crankcase by pressing its inner
race.
• Do not use the removed bearing.
CHECKING THE TIMING CHAIN
AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDE
1. Inspect:
• Timing chain
Cracks/stiff→Replace the timing
chain and camshaft sprocket as a
set.
2. Inspect:
• Timing chain guide
Wear/damage→Replace.CHECKING THE CRANKCASE
1. Inspect:
• Contacting surface "a"
Scratches→Replace.
• Engine mounting boss "b", crank-
case
Cracks/damage→Replace.
2. Inspect:
• Bearing
Rotate inner race with a finger.
Rough spot/seizure→Replace.
3. Inspect:
• Oil seal
Damage→Replace.
CHECKING THE CRANKSHAFT
1. Measure:
• Runout limit "a"
• Small end free play limit "b"
• Connecting rod big end side
clearance "c"
• Crank width "d"
Out of specification→Replace.
Use the dial gauge and a thick-
ness gauge.
Crankcase separating
tool:
YU-1135-A/90890-
01135
Dial gauge and stand:
YU-3097/90890-01252
Standard
Runo
ut lim-
it:0.03 mm (0.0012
in)0.05
mm
(0.002
in)
Small
end
free
play:0.4–1.0 mm
(0.016–0.039 in)2.0 mm
(0.08 in)
Side
clear-
ance:0.15–0.45 mm
(0.0059–0.0177
in)0.50
mm
(0.02 in)
Crack
width:55.95–56.00
mm
(2.203–2.205 in)—

4-62
CRANKCASE AND CRANKSHAFT
the sealant.
5. Install:
• Dowel pin "1"
• O-ring "2"
• Right crankcase
To left crankcase.
• Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the O-ring.
• Fit the right crankcase onto the left
crankcase. Tap lightly on the case
with soft hammer.
• When installing the crankcase, the
connecting rod should be posi-
tioned at TDC (top dead center).
6. Tighten:
• Hose guide "1"
• Clutch cable holder "2"
• Bolt (crankcase) "3"
Tighten the crankcase tightening
bolts in stage, using a crisscross pat-
tern.
7. Install:
• Oil delivery pipe 2 "1"
• O-ring "2"
• Bolt (oil delivery pipe 2) "3"
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the Orings.
8. Install:
• Timing chain "1"
• Timing chain guide (intake side)
"2"
• Bolt (timing chain guide) "3"
9. Remove:
• Sealant
Forced out on the cylinder mating
surface.
10. Apply:
• Engine oil
To the crank pin, bearing and oil
delivery hole.
11. Check:
• Crankshaft and transmission op-
eration.
Unsmooth operation→Repair. Bolt (crankcase):
12 Nm (1.2 m•kg, 8.7
ft•lb)
Bolt (oil delivery pipe 2):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (timing chain guide):
10 Nm (1.0 m•kg, 7.2
ft•lb)