Just got an 80 Excel V and im gonna need some help

vipermountain700

New member
Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
16
Age
30
Location
Spring Creek, NV
Just picked up a running excel v 540 for $200. It has some issues but i think with this forums help i can work them out and make this a great girlfriend/buddy sled. The pull cord is broken. The choke cable and lever are gone. The seat cover is thrashed. And i think its got a bad battery. I can jump start it and the electric start works great.

The sled idles good but is very boggy and backfires out the exhaust. When i hit he brake the oil light comes on? And the head and tail lights arnt working(could be bulbs). I will post pictures soon and ask questions about this sled as i have them.

Im also kind of wondering if these are similar to any more popular models under the hood? There doesn't seem to be alot of parts availability for the excel v compared to other models.
Thanks,
Spencer
 

I'm sure somebody that knows something will post sometime .... but I will give some opinions ..... I have a 540 in 96 VK and a 86 SR ?engine ..
Most things that have electric start need a battery for the rest of system to work correctly... clamp on a battery out side the body and try again...
Plug in Chargers don't regulate correctly unless there is a load.. battery.
Someone had used tooo much starting aid on mine and blown PTO seal between outside and oil pump cavity... check for seal leaks.
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Snowmobile/1980/EC540D/CARBURETOR/parts.html
80 shows an enrichner valve for choke... needs to be in hole to stop extra fuel flow... no cable ?? maybe seized open or shut or floating between..
TORS ?? stuck throttle device ?? if so .. might try unplugged
Good luck
Ron
 
Backfire out the exhaust usually means rich condition. Check the carb. Needle and seat may be dirty, bad or the carb could be out of adjustment or a choke issue like ron said. No tors to worry about on this sled. The oil light should come on when applying the brake. I would assume if you threw a new battery in it the electric start should work fine if you can jump it like you said.
Do the instrument lights work?? If not, check all the bulbs including your head and tail lights to see if in fact they are all burnt out. If they are not, then it is probably a loose or dirty connection somewhere. If they are, chances are the volatge regulator is shot and installing new bulbs will only result in more burnt out bulbs.
I see this all the time when guys think they got a good deal on a fixer upper. Chances are you will have $2-300 in parts in to it to make it reliable enough to make it trailable. I dont want to rain on your parade, but a good way to loose a girl is to put her on a sled that has nothing but a foam seat. Women dont like having wet azzes. Nor do guys for that matter, but guys will forget about it. lol
Figure on a minimum of $100 for a seat cover and related hardware that will be needed to make it secure, presentable and comfortable.... and the sled still doent run right.... maybe you will get lucky. I hope you do. I will help if i can. Good luck on your project.
 
The way i see it if i have to put $400 into this sled then it was still a good deal. Thatd make it a $600 sled and thats cheap.

I plan on replacing the pull rope today. Any pointers? Im also going to pull the carb and clean it. Hopfuly this will make it run better. Im going to order a choke cable and lever tomaro.

On a side note does anyone know how well cork holds up to gas? The reason im asking is the has cap is broken off the tank and a cork stopper is about the only thing i can think of to plug the hole.
 
I would find a used tank. No sense in having a cork pop out and soaking your buddy or girlfriend with fuel or potentially causing a fire. Not to mention getting snow/water in your tank....and yes you need a puller to pull the clutch off.
 
Got the rope replaced.

Now ive got the carb off and it seems to be pretty clean.

I know im gettin agead of myself with the sled not even being ready to ride and all but is there a way to put plastic skis on this?
 
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Soak it with Kroil or a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone. Then try wiggling it back and forth with a screw driver. If that doesnt work then try a little bit of heat.
 
for the gas cap, you could always use a expanding rubber plug for a cap. just have to buy the right size.

how long did the carb soak?
 
Will it hurt anything to just soak the crap out of it with pb blaster?

Thanks for the expanding rubber plug idea! That should work perfect thanks!

Ive got the choke cable and lever on the way. I definently ruined the plunger while trying to remove it so ill have to get a new one. It might be a bit before i order that because i dont want to pay shipping for that litte part then end up needing something else from partzilla too.
 
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snip- I see this all the time when guys think they got a good deal on a fixer upper. Chances are you will have $2-300 in parts in to it to make it reliable enough to make it trailable. I dont want to rain on your parade, but a good way to loose a girl is to put her on a sled that has nothing but a foam seat. Women dont like having wet azzes. Nor do guys for that matter, but guys will forget about it. lol snip

LOL - I was thinking the same thing.

Be prepared to give up your Viper!
 
Well heres a little update for you guys. The plunger is still stick solid. The carb rolled off the table so now i need a new float to.
Any ideas for the plunger? Ive been filling the hole with pb blaster every time i think about it
 
You should be able to stick a flat blade screw driver in the end of plunger where slot for cable goes and twist it back and forth until its free but I'd let it soak in PB for a few days. Over the years, I have had 4 of that vintage yamaha sled. Not a bad sled. I have never seen a plastic ski for a leaf spring sled. Ebay will be your friend.
 
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Needs to soak, use what Shawn said, overnight at least maybe more. Use the screwdriver to try to tun it loose, back and forth till you can get some movement, loaks of oil. You can use heat to try to get the oil further in but don't rush it, let the oil work
 


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