engine YAMAHA YZ450F 2003 Workshop Manual

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INSP
ADJ

ENGINE OIL REPLACEMENT
6. If the oil filter is to be replaced during this
oil change, remove the following parts
and reinstall them.
7. Install:

Plain washer
1


Oil strainer (frame)
2


Engine oil hose
3


Bolt (engine oil hose)
4


Engine oil hose clamp
5


Engine skid plate
8. Install:

Gaskets

Oil filter drain bolt

Drain bolt (crankcase rear)

Drain bolt (crankcase left)

Drain bolt (frame)
9. Fill:

Crankcase
10. Install:

Oil filler plug
11. Inspect:

Engine (for oil leaks)

Oil level
Refer to “ENGINE OIL LEVEL INSPEC-
TION”.
Replacement steps:

Remove the exhaust pipe.

Remove the oil filter cover
1
and oil filter
element
2
.

Check the O-rings
3
, if cracked or dam-
aged, replace them with a new one.

Install the oil filter element and oil filter
cover.
T R..

Oil filter cover:
10 Nm (1.0 m • kg, 7.2 ft • lb)
Oil quantity:
Total amount:
1.2 L (1.06 Imp qt, 1.27 US qt)
Periodic oil change:
1.0 L (0.88 Imp qt, 1.06 US qt)
With oil filter replacement:
1.1 L (0.97 Imp qt, 1.16 US qt)
New
T R..90 Nm (9.0 m · kg, 65 ft · lb)
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..2 Nm (0.2 m · kg, 1.4 ft · lb)
New
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..20 Nm (2.0 m · kg, 14 ft · lb)
T R..10 Nm (1.0 m · kg, 7.2 ft · lb)
T R..23 Nm (2.3 m · kg, 17 ft · lb)

3 - 17
INSP
ADJ
PILOT SCREW ADJUSTMENT
12. Check:
Oil pressure
Checking steps:
Slightly loosen the oil gallery bolt 1.
Start the engine and keep it idling until oil
starts to seep from the oil gallery bolt. If no
oil comes out after one minute, turn the
engine off so it will not seize.
Check oil passages, oil filter and oil pump
for damage or leakage.
Start the engine after solving the prob-
lem(s) and recheck the oil pressure.
Tighten the oil gallery bolt to specification.
T R..
Oil gallery bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m • kg, 7.2 ft • lb)
PILOT SCREW ADJUSTMENT
1. Adjust:
Pilot screw 1
Adjusting steps:
NOTE:
To optimize the fuel flow at a smaller throttle
opening, each machine’s pilot screw has
been individually set at the factory. Before
adjusting the pilot screw, turn it in fully and
count the number of turns. Record this num-
ber as the factory-set number of turns out.
Turn in the pilot screw until it is lightly
seated.
Turn out the pilot screw by the factory-set
number of turns.
Pilot screw:
2 turns out (example)

3 - 18
INSP
ADJIDLE SPEED ADJUSTMENT/
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
EC35M021
IDLE SPEED ADJUSTMENT
1. Start the engine and thoroughly warm it
up.
2. Adjust:
Idle speed
Adjustment steps:
Adjust the pilot screw.
Refer to “PILOT SCREW ADJUSTMENT”
section.
Turn the throttle stop screw 1 until the
engine runs at the lowest possible speed.
To increase idle speed →
Turn the throttle stop screw 1 in a.
To decrease idle speed →
Turn the throttle stop screw 1 out b.
Engine idling speed:
1,900 ~ 2,100 r/min
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
NOTE:
The valve clearance should be adjusted
when the engine is cool to the touch.
The piston must be at Top Dead Center
(T.D.C.) on compression stroke to check or
adjust the valve clearance.
1. Remove:
Seat
Fuel tank
Refer to “SEAT, FUEL TANK AND SIDE
COVERS” section in the CHAPTER 4.
2. Remove:
Carburetor
Refer to “CARBURETOR” section in
the CHAPTER 4.
Spark plug cap
Engine stay (upper)
Cylinder head cover
Refer to “CAMSHAFTS” section in the
CHAPTER 4.
3. Remove:
Timing plug 1
Straight plug 2
O-ring

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INSP
ADJ
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT
Round off the last digit of the installed pad
number to the nearest increment.
Last digit of pad
numberRounded value
0, 1 or 2 0
4, 5 or 6 5
8 or 9 10
EXAMPLE:
Installed pad number = 148
Rounded off value = 150
NOTE:
Pads can only be selected in 0.05 mm incre-
ments.
Locate the rounded-off value and the mea-
sured valve clearance in the chart “PAD
SELECTION TABLE”. The field where
these two coordinates intersect shows the
new pad number to use.
NOTE:
Use the new pad number only as a guide
when verifying the valve clearance adjust-
ment.
Install the new pads 5 and the valve lift-
ers 6.
NOTE:
Apply the engine oil on the valve lifters.
Apply the molybdenum disulfide oil on the
valve stem ends.
Valve lifter must turn smoothly when
rotated with a finger.
Be careful to reinstall valve lifters and
pads in their original place.
Install the camshafts (exhaust and intake),
the timing chain and the camshaft caps.
Refer to “CAMSHAFTS” section in the
CHAPTER 4.
T R..
Bolt (camshaft cap):
10 Nm (1.0 m • kg, 7.2 ft • lb)

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ADJ
DRIVE CHAIN SLACK ADJUSTMENT
5. Install:
Drive chain 1
Joint 2
Master link clip 3
CAUTION:
Be sure to install the master link clip to the
direction as shown.
aTurning direction
6. Lubricate:
Drive chain
Drive chain lubricant:
SAE 10W-30 motor oil or suit-
able chain lubricants
New
DRIVE CHAIN SLACK ADJUSTMENT
1. Elevate the rear wheel by placing the
suitable stand under the engine.
2. Check:
Drive chain slack a
Above the seal guard installation bolt.
Out of specification → Adjust.
NOTE:
Before checking and/or adjusting, rotate the
rear wheel through several revolutions and
check the slack several times to find the tight-
est point. Check and/or adjust chain slack with
rear wheel in this “tight chain” position.
Drive chain slack:
40 ~ 50 mm (1.6 ~ 2.0 in)

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FRONT FORK INSPECTION
3. Adjust:
Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack adjustment steps:
Loosen the axle nut 1 and locknuts 2.
Adjust chain slack by turning the adjusters
3.
To tighten → Turn adjuster 3 counter-
clockwise.
To loosen → Turn adjuster 3 clockwise
and push wheel forward.
Turn each adjuster exactly the same
amount to maintain correct axle alignment.
(There are marks a on each side of chain
puller alignment.)
NOTE:
Turn the adjuster so that the chain is in line
with the sprocket, as viewed from the rear.
CAUTION:
Too small chain slack will overload the
engine and other vital parts; keep the
slack within the specified limits.
Tighten the axle nut while pushing down
the drive chain.
T R..
Axle nut:
125 Nm (12.5 m • kg, 90 ft • lb)
Tighten the locknuts.
T R..
Locknut:
16 Nm (1.6 m • kg, 11 ft • lb)
EC36C000
FRONT FORK INSPECTION
1. Inspect:
Front fork smooth action
Operate the front brake and stroke the
front fork.
Unsmooth action/oil leakage → Repair
or replace.

3 - 34
INSP
ADJFRONT FORK OIL SEAL AND DUST SEAL CLEANING/
FRONT FORK INTERNAL PRESSURE RELIEVING/
FRONT FORK REBOUND DAMPING FORCE ADJUSTMENT
EC36D001
FRONT FORK OIL SEAL AND DUST SEAL
CLEANING
1. Remove:
Protector
Dust seal 1
NOTE:
Use a thin screw driver, and be careful not to
damage the inner fork tube and dust seal.
2. Clean:
Dust seal a
Oil seal b
NOTE:
Clean the dust seal and oil seal after every
run.
Apply the lithium soap base grease on the
inner tube.
FRONT FORK INTERNAL PRESSURE
RELIEVING
NOTE:
If the front fork initial movement feels stiff during
a run, relieve the front fork internal pressure.
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing a suit-
able stand under the engine.
2. Remove the air bleed screw 1 and
release the internal pressure from the
front fork.
3. Install:
Air bleed screw
EC36H002
FRONT FORK REBOUND DAMPING FORCE
ADJUSTMENT
1. Adjust:
Rebound damping force
By turning the adjuster 1.
T R..1 Nm (0.1 m · kg, 0.7 ft · lb)
Stiffer a →Increase the rebound damp-
ing force. (Turn the adjuster
1 in.)
Softer b →Decrease the rebound damp-
ing force. (Turn the adjuster
1 out.)

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INSP
ADJREAR SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING PRELOAD
ADJUSTMENT
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING
PRELOAD ADJUSTMENT
1. Elevate the rear wheel by placing the
suitable stand under the engine.
2. Remove:
Rear frame
3. Loosen:
Locknut 1
4. Adjust:
Spring preload
By turning the adjuster 2.
* For EUROPE
NOTE:
Be sure to remove all dirt and mud from
around the locknut and adjuster before
adjustment.
The length of the spring (installed) changes
1.5 mm (0.06 in) per turn of the adjuster.
CAUTION:
Never attempt to turn the adjuster beyond
the maximum or minimum setting.
5. Tighten:
Locknut
6. Install:
Rear frame (upper)
Rear frame (lower) Stiffer →Increase the spring preload.
(Turn the adjuster 2 in.)
Softer →Decrease the spring preload.
(Turn the adjuster 2 out.)
Spring length (installed) a:
Standard length Extent of adjustment
249 mm (9.80 in)
*264 mm (10.39 in)240.5 ~ 258.5 mm
(9.47 ~ 10.18 in)
*255.5 ~ 273.5 mm
(10.06 ~ 10.77 in)
T R..32 Nm (3.2 m · kg, 23 ft · lb)
T R..29 Nm (2.9 m · kg, 21 ft · lb)

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STEERING HEAD INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
2. Inspect:
Bearing free play
Exist play → Replace.
STEERING HEAD INSPECTION AND
ADJUSTMENT
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing a suit-
able stand under the engine.
2. Check:
Steering shaft
Grasp the bottom of the forks and gen-
tly rock the fork assembly back and
forth.
Free play → Adjust steering head.
3. Check:
Steering smooth action
Turn the handlebar lock to lock.
Unsmooth action → Adjust steering ring
nut.
4. Adjust:
Steering ring nut
Steering ring nut adjustment steps:
Remove the number plate.
Remove the handlebar and handle crown.
Loosen the ring nut 1 using the ring nut
wrench 2.
Ring nut wrench:
YU-33975/90890-01403

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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.
Spark plug gap:
0.7 ~ 0.8 mm (0.028 ~ 0.031 in)
4. Clean the plug with a spark plug cleaner
if necessary.
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)