Assistance needed for 1989 Yamaha Excel V6

**PineLakeRumble** · 05-25-2019, 08:14 AM

Greetings,

Here is the story. My son is a competitive barefooter and I purchased a 1989 Sanger Barefoot as a restoration project and an affordable way into the sport. The hull is in very good shape but the original motor may have significant issues. Currently the motor will turn over but there is no spark. My trusted local mechanic (who is a Mercury dealer, not Yamaha) hasn't dug into it yet but I'm starting to get nervous. If anyone has any experience with a 1989 Yamaha Excel (the original low hour motor) I'd appreciate your thoughts and experience. All of my research suggests that this was a good motor in its' day but parts will be difficult to source. I'm also learning that the Yamaha techs in my area weren't on the planet in 1989 so I haven't found anyone locally with experience with this specific model.

So here are the questions...Is the motor worth investing in or should I accept my loss and move on?

Are parts (electrical and otherwise) still available?

I have purchased an original Yamaha shop manual from Ebay which should arrive in a week. The manual was printed in '86 for the '87 model year. Will there be significant differences between the manual and my 1989 Excel V6LF?

I'm an inboard guy, outboards are new to me. Learning is good and I'm up for it. Throwing good money after bad is what I'm trying to avoid. The truth hurts but all thoughts and opinions are welcome. I've included a few photos from when the boat was shipped to me and when it arrived in the fall.

Thanks in advance for your help.

**SS Minnow** · 05-25-2019, 08:49 AM

Nice boat and motor. That is a very nice looking rig.

As far as your motor I can offer nothing practical. Hopefully somebody here can.
The mechanics in my area will all but hang up on you once they hear 2 stroke.

Good luck getting it running !!!!

**FMP** · 05-25-2019, 09:01 AM

Welcome Pine Lake,
Could be as simple as a bad key switch wire, here's some more information
http://www.cdielectronics.com/cdi-ap...tionSearchForm
http://www.cdielectronics.com/troubleshootingguide/# about pg 163/165
http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/seloc/yamaha.html

Download or paperback

Take care of the wood swim steps , make them pop like new again.

https://www.screamandfly.com/showthr...89-225-Excel&& Doc would know.

If applicable, is their any sort of low oil level sensor in the oil reservoir which could keep it from firing?

Then something about bypassing the brain
http://www.yamahaoutboardparts.com/f...er-is-bypassed

**PineLakeRumble** · 05-26-2019, 07:43 PM

Greetings FMP! Many thanks for the links. All food for thought is welcome. Gelcoat/wetsand/compound/polish and teak is my thing. That Sanger should be glowing again when I'm finished. If you're interested I'll post some pics as the work progresses.
Cheers.

**SS Minnow** · 05-27-2019, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by PineLakeRumble

Greetings FMP! Many thanks for the links. All food for thought is welcome. Gelcoat/wetsand/compound/polish and teak is my thing. That Sanger should be glowing again when I'm finished. If you're interested I'll post some pics as the work progresses.
Cheers.

That is like asking a kid if they want ice cream.
The answer is always the same.

**Merc 2.5** · 05-27-2019, 07:31 AM

I do know Chris carson has a great deal of experience in these motors and is a wiz , his name and number is all over this site , if ur serious u will call him , hes very very helpful and easy to talk to , hes one if our vendors here also. if u cant find a # I can send it to u

**SS Minnow** · 05-27-2019, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Merc 2.5

I do know Chris carson has a great deal of experience in these motors and is a wiz , his name and number is all over this site , if ur serious u will call him , hes very very helpful and easy to talk to , hes one if our vendors here also. if u cant find a # I can send it to u

Just talked to him this week. All of the above is true. (800) 329-2725

**LittleCharger** · 05-27-2019, 08:17 AM

The excel is a awesome motor, it had all the good go fast parts, gobs of power.

Parts are not a problem, most parts are still available (except micro computer, i have a spare if needed) , it's rare for the electronics to go on them so check the simple things in terms of ignition and kill switch etc.. Make sure you have a fresh battery that will take a load on starting, if the battery drops below about 10.5 volts on starting the computer shuts down and won't fire.

Where are you in Ontario? Rick Cole in Parry Sound is one of the best for these 2.6's.

If you decide to part with it let me know.

**DoktorC** · 05-27-2019, 08:50 AM

Boy....is that thing ever clean!! No spark with likely be something simple the electronics are pretty solid on all yamahas. Like LC said above they are very good motors with lots of power and for the most part easy to find parts.

LC and I are local to you and we've got parts...and beer..

**PineLakeRumble** · 05-27-2019, 11:26 AM

Thanks for all the responses! If things work out as planned, the boat will be pulling barefooters on Pine Lake outside of Gravenhurst. LC and DokC, thanks for the positive words regarding local help and finding parts. That will ease the increasing acid in the pit of my stomach. It's nice to know that there is help available inside of two hours drive. As soon as the old shop manual arrives we should be able to start digging and diagnosing with more confidence. No worries SS Minnow, I'll keep the pics coming.
Cheers.

**FMP** · 05-27-2019, 01:47 PM

With local beer?

**rhardwick** · 05-27-2019, 06:01 PM

As others have stated, probably something simple to get spark. However all Yamaha V-4 and V-6's in 1989-1990 had wrist pin issues. Not all failed but I rebuilt several with lose wrist pins. This will show as a knocking sound at idle and get worse. The Excel has great power and rev limiter around 6300 RPM.

Good luck

**Markus** · 05-28-2019, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by rhardwick

As others have stated, probably something simple to get spark. However all Yamaha V-4 and V-6's in 1989-1990 had wrist pin issues. Not all failed but I rebuilt several with lose wrist pins. This will show as a knocking sound at idle and get worse. The Excel has great power and rev limiter around 6300 RPM.

They need to be propped to run at the top end of the WOT rpm range.

If not, what is technically the generation of torque will make the wrist pins eat into the pistons.

**PineLakeRumble** · 05-31-2019, 03:23 PM

Quick Question...if there are problems with electrical parts (like the stator for instance), I presume they are no longer available from Yamaha. Should I be trying to find used parts or is there a trusted aftermarket manufacturer that I should look for? Not all parts are created equal.
I'm going to put new batteries in the boat as I think the originals are toast. It has a twin setup with a selector which I presumed was to help run a bunch of audio gear (I've hauled out 5 tired speakers, amps, deck, etc.). Should I stick with the twin set up moving forward? I'm not sure if two are needed. What marine battery do most of you trust? What size would you suggest?

Cheers.

**LittleCharger** · 06-01-2019, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by PineLakeRumble

Quick Question...if there are problems with electrical parts (like the stator for instance), I presume they are no longer available from Yamaha. Should I be trying to find used parts or is there a trusted aftermarket manufacturer that I should look for? Not all parts are created equal.
I'm going to put new batteries in the boat as I think the originals are toast. It has a twin setup with a selector which I presumed was to help run a bunch of audio gear (I've hauled out 5 tired speakers, amps, deck, etc.). Should I stick with the twin set up moving forward? I'm not sure if two are needed. What marine battery do most of you trust? What size would you suggest?

Cheers.

electronics http://www.cdielectronics.com/cdi-ap...tionSearchForm

if not running accessories ( amps, heater etc.) then only need the cranking battery. I’ve had good luck with interstate batteries