Changing spark plugs

[KevinFH]

There is a very good Youtube video about how to change your plugs (4 each). It was my first time under the hood at 12000 miles.
The video is located at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R58I0cORw24


The video was very helpful, but there are always things that you learn as you do it.

For example, the gas tank has washers between the big screws and the rubber bushing. They might stick to the bushing and you don't know its even there until you hear a sound of something dropping down into the deepest parts of the "inner bike", that mysterious region that eats screws and washers. When you remove the gas tank screws, make sure you get the washers at the same time.

Also, there is a "V" shaped breather tube cable clamp screwed to the bottom of the tank. For some reason during assembly of my bike they put the clamp on (2 screws) but didn't bother running the breather tubes through the clamp. I took the clamp off and ran the tubes through it. Maybe it was a design feature they decided they didn't need and cost to much to bother using (assembly time cost). Also, there is a giant bracket on the front of the motor. If the bracket were removed, removing the bolts that hold the coils on would be easier. They were a pain to remove.

Oh, here is a good one: my spark plug socket was so sticky to the spark plug, I couldn't get it out of the spark plug hole until I duct-taped it to the ratchet extension. That made life much easier. It is probably better to do this job with an emptier gas tank (duh).

To put the hose back on to the bottom of the the air box, I put a pair of large vise grips on the hose clamp from the left side of the bike, then worked the hose on to the air box from the right side using needle nose pliers. After the hose is on, put the air box the rest of the way onto the intake and screw down both clamps. Everything after that is smooth sailing.

Rubber down!
Kevin

 

[WJBertrand]

He's lucky to to have broken those plastic clips just forcing them to pop out that way. Question, can the air cleaner assembly be removed intact or does the lid always have to be removed first?

 

[racer]

IF I recall correctly, the air box can be removed without taking the cover off. Just be sure to remove the center screw under the rubber plug.

 

[WJBertrand]

IF I recall correctly, the air box can be removed without taking the cover off. Just be sure to remove the center screw under the rubber plug.

Thanks. I was wondering if that center screw went through the box or not. I've had it open to change the filter but I'm fixing to check the valves and replace the plugs soon.

 

[fredz43]

I see that he figured out that you should release the 2 hoses from the bracket before lifting the tank so that they do not pull off from the underside of the tank. As Jeff mentioned, he is lucky that he didn't break the plastic pins when he just pried the panel off. Just push the center pin in with a small pointy object, even a ball point pen and they come out easily. Lastly, there is no need to remove that left panel to lift the tank. I demonstrate an easier method in my video of how to balance the throttle bodes here:


http://youtu.be/VgcnOD7K_9k

 

[EricV]

As others have said, no need to separate the air box, it all comes out as one piece.

Oh, that huge bracket on the front is the MOTOR MOUNT. You might be a bit careful of removing those two bolts and the bracket. It could be challenging to get it back in place if the engine sags at all.

I found that going in from the front on the most throttle side coil was easier, especially with a ratcheting box wrench. the others I had no issues doing from the top.

 

[KevinFH]

Agree. I had to go from the front for the right side. I am going to look for a better tool than an open end #10, one that has a ratchet, to get those out.
For the left side I was able to go from the top and the process was a little faster.
It appears there may be thread locker on those screws. What does the jury say now-a-days about putting a tiny drop of oil on the spark plug threads? I think next time I might do that to the screws that hold the coils in.

Next time, I'll see if I can figure out a way to get the plastic pins out properly (as suggested several times above).

One last word of warning I forgot: There are electrical connections on the tank. If you rotate that the tank to an extreme, those wires will get strained. I hate it when I work on stuff and break it as I do. Be aware of the strain.
Maybe removing them from the tank is the simple way to be sure.

Overall, the process isn't too bad once you do it. Next time It will only take an hour, not two. I might open that $89 service manual first too? Nah.

 

[Mellow]

For me, w/airbox removal, it was easier to leave the hose clamped to the underside of the airbox, then unclamp it at the valve cover - from front of bike.

Reinstalling, I looped a string to it to pull it into the general location. It goes on much easier than the one connected to the airbox itself.

 

[KevinFH]

For me, w/airbox removal, it was easier to leave the hose clamped to the underside of the airbox, then unclamp it at the valve cover - from front of bike.

Reinstalling, I looped a string to it to pull it into the general location. It goes on much easier than the one connected to the airbox itself.

I believe it is probably easier, but is the way Yamaha intended based on the type of hose clamp. The hose clamp on the cylinder head side is designed differently so that it is easier to release for removal and re-installation.
I had to get creative to put the one on under the box, but it can be done, so don't panic if it happens cause you reading this after the fact.

One more thing I do, I use plastic wrap (from the kitchen) with rubber bands to seal the entry to the intakes. I never liked the idea of putting a rag across the top. Plastic wrap is clean, doesn't shed fibers and doesn't get in the way of the work you are doing.

I was starting from the video when I did it; it was a good video in the sense that I saw it shouldn't be too hard to do it, but there have been a number of replies that identify keeps points of improving upon that process.
Thanks.