How To Diagnose, Fix & Replace your CDI Unit - Ep 79 Sailing Luckyfish

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Do you know any fault finding, electrical troubleshooting tips you would like to share here? Or perhaps you have a question? Just leave a comment. Thanks everyone, Stew and Zaya

[@phoenixcouto1713]

www.ebay.com/itm/New-68T-85540-00-C-D-I-UNIT-ASSY-For-Yamaha-Outboard-Engine-Motor-4-stroke-8HP/153280728159?hash=item23b03e4c5f:g:XN0AAOSwUP5b~jKs&frcectupt=true

[@phoenixcouto1713]

looking for a spare or backup CDI for the other engine ? Why spend $470.00

[@SailingLuckyfish]

@@phoenixcouto1713 Thanks very much. We are on to it :-) Cheers

[@mandostudent]

Incredible, ya didn't drop anything to Neptune! Good work!

[@michaelwilmshurst3663]

The idea of putting electronics into an oven is to reflow any cracked solder joints. Just don't move it before it has cooled down completely.

[@normanboyes4983]

Good diagnosis. I think the CDI just failed I do not think any salt water got in at all - even if salt water got in warming it up in an oven would liberate moisture but not salt and any salt encrustations would continue to do its evil work. Top tip - where you have a small screw that has to be put in one of those impossible places while balancing over the deep ocean 😉 Use a hot glue gun and stick the screw to the end of the screwdriver - it will enable you to locate the screw and tighten it - the glue bond is easy to break afterwards.👍

[@SailingLuckyfish]

thanks for the tips. agree, no sign of corrosion or burn out, so maybe a loose or cracked connection. Thanks again,

[@soggybottom3463]

Anyone from Yamaha watching? What a marketing opportunity. You could not only do the right thing, but fix the issue generally and sell a load more engines. What's not to like?

[@SailingLuckyfish]

In a perfect world ... thanks for the comment Soggy

[@tazmun]

I could be wrong, in fact I'm extremely good at being wrong, but it certainly appears to me that it would have been a world easier to work on those outboards from the platform of your dinghy so you didn't have to reach down into the hole it would have rather been kind of right handy from the dinghy or so it appears. Appearances the lenses can be deceiving!

[@SailingLuckyfish]

well, it was six of one and half doz of the other. Some engine jobs need to be done under the boat, others from the top. In calm conditions you are right, the dinghy is often the best option... or better still, beached! Thanks!

[@R.E.HILL_]

For the components on those engines... Invest in a spray can or two of fluid film. Rust protection that works... Safe travels... Btw.. There's chemical strippers that are especially made for removal of that type of electronic components protection sealant...

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Thanks for those tips - great suggestions. We do coat with a CRC product - heavy duty spray and it keeps things good! I wasnt aware of those chem strippers... good to know, thanks!

[@tazmun]

So do you want to cry now or later? Although having an oem part on an ocean-going yacht totally dependent on these parts may make you feel better and I possibly would have done the same thing but of course I had to Snoop! Judging from what you said your engine being about a 2013 I was able to come up with a part number from Yamaha and the internet gave me access to all the chinesium aftermarket products being developed just for your engine you can buy it direct from the Chinaman for 60 bucks or somebody in California for a hundred with free shipping! I do think that the price of spare parts I might invest in one or even two of those Chinese versions just to have on a boat for emergency spares for those long-distance Crossings

[@SailingLuckyfish]

@tazmun... I follow your logic. The price difference between OEM and chinese clone is not insignificant. Any chance you can post a link to where to source? We had alot of trouble just finding a supplier in the USA willing to send us an OEM one down to the Bahamas. Cheers and thank you

[@tazmun]

@@SailingLuckyfish CDI unit for YAMAHA outboard PN 68T-85540-00 | eBay ebay.us/yGjYDy via @eBay. New 68T-85540-00 C.D.I. UNIT ASSY For Yamaha Outboard Engine Motor 8HP 4-stroke | eBay ebay.us/GW3qlZ via @eBay. So they are shipping from China so I doubt they care where your at only issue I question is how much rec tape to receive a Chinese package on your end. If you have an address in Mongolia I'm going to guess that's going to be a much preferred place to ship to from China but like I said before I'm wrong a lot and I'm just guessing but lots of stuff. It has become more and more common however in the small engine repair field which I'm quite familiar with to use brand new Chinese parts replace OEM because of cost. The cost is so radically different you have to just try it you just have to it you can't bear to spend the OEM price!

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Thanks a ton. We are in Mongolia at the moment, China is just over the border (but a world away) will follow this up and let you know how we go. Thanks very much again, Stew

[@clayfarnet970]

Stew, I think you'd make a great teacher. Can I take a class for a couple weeks? Truly outstanding problem solving and patience. 👍👍✌️

[@cornflake73]

You are a lucky mate, If it were me doing those repairs that screw would be on the bottom of the ocean. I would have bet on it too. Good repair job and investigation. $90 for a manual is a bit much for a E document, but if you need it then it is worth the price. I like your videos and follow them pretty much all the time.

[@SailingLuckyfish]

thanks and glad to hear. Yep, I reckon the shop manual should come with the outboard! our best to you

[@fernandofernandes5583]

Hello sea friends, good night everyone. I've been following your channel for a long time, I'm in love with exumas, what a beautiful place. Today I accompanied the maintenance in your motor, beautiful repair captain, congratulations for the success, but I had a doubt, and I would like to ask. The tiki 38 is a good sailboat to live aboard and travel the world, captain you would make a tiki again, what advice for those who intend to make a tiki and live aboard. Thank you in advance for your attention. Hugs and good winds!

[@SailingLuckyfish]

@Fernando Fernandes - The Tiki 38 is an incredible catamaran. Safe, simple, low cost, build it yourself, have one built or buy second hand. Fast, fun, shallow draft, easy and low cost to maintain. Naturally air conditioned :-) , 360 degree visibility, the list goes on and on. I love the boat and it has made me appreciate the importance of all the above factors. If we ever get another boat.. it will have to meet all these requirements. If we ever get another boat it will only be for the following reasons: a little more comfort for guests (e.g. private shower), more cabins for guests and that is about all we would want to change. I hope this helps. You can always pm me at stew at svluckyfish dot com Cheers

[@nealbirch9462]

braver man then me, taking off small nuts and bolts above an open space (19:00 or thereabouts)! I would drop something into the briny deep for sure!

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Ha... I was thinking the same thing... we took it slowly.

[@umvhu]

A couple of diesel ditchpump motors with long propellor shafts and you'd have it sorted ;-) Those yanmars go on forever :-D Edit Silicone RTV (bath sealant) is your friend

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Ha, longtail style! there are a few wharrams out there that do just that and swear by it. Thanks!

[@leecoleman822]

In the beginning it was evil ship named Milburn , but the Lord sent H.I.S. Buturn to rescue my Heart .amen p.s. be good to one other p.p.s. saleh 🔴

[@Peorhum]

designed to fail over time to make you buy a new engine or CDI...

[@SailingLuckyfish]

When Toyota first started selling the Corolla, it was at a loss knowing they would profit from parts. And the Corolla was a very reliable car. That is now probably mainstream among manufacturers. Look at Canon ink printers for example. Yes, I think you are absolutely right. Cheers

[@howardwhite9773]

Good diagnostics. Old family mantra: check the fuse before disassembling the air conditioning compressor. Your step wise progression and swaptronics were spot on.

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Thanks Howard. Had a chuckle at your mantra....

[@brianmardon7123]

Check in to !! Salt Away !! available in US and Canada ,it WORKS!!!!!!!!

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Thanks Brian.. had a look at it. Looks similar to the stuff we use to flush the outboards each season.... must be a mild acid?

[@petercrane2065]

And this shows how crooked these outboard motor manufacturers are! 447 USD for a small printed circuit board and a few wires moulded into some plastic, I have to replace mine and that is 860 USD for basically the same thing only slightly bigger, probably only costs them 20 USD to make

[@SailingLuckyfish]

try aliexpress. just picked up a spare for $58. worth a try at that price.

[@pakde8002]

While back home in the USA for longer than expected I had a lot of free time and decided to clean and repair an antique Penn Peer No. 309 reel. It came apart easily enough and cleaned up nicely with cleaning fluid and elbow grease. The next day I returned to the work bench and surprise, I couldn't remember how it went back together. Fortunately, I had another reel that I could take apart and see how all the pieces were arranged but not without a lot of help from a KZbin tutorial video about cleaning this particular reel...the first instruction was to take a picture of each stage of disassembly. 🙄

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Good story!

[@winmosser]

aliexpress.com claim to have them for $137 might be worth a try for spares?

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Thanks Will, found it. much appreciated

[@alohathaxted]

So many trade offs in the design of this unit. Ease of installation on the water was the least of these trade offs.

[@gasguzzler69]

my motors are from the 70's and 80's , bar the 3.5 and 6 hp. which are in the 2000 era, still all stinky 2 strokes. do you ever think you need more hp , like 15 or 20 ?

[@SailingLuckyfish]

not really, the 9.9HP's are high thrust and push our 5 tonnes along fine

[@thelenwilliams]

🤣

[@10lauset]

Great diagnostics. But I think that the expensive electronics component is usually the culprit.

[@pakde8002]

Most shops do very little in the way of real diagnostics these days, at least in my experience they just start changing the most obvious components in the order of most expensive to least expensive component. The last item on the invoice will be a fuse wire $1.50...bet your newly maxed out credit card that was the culprit!

[@SailingLuckyfish]

@Laurie Seto - ha... when we were running through the diagnostics it had an air of inevitability that it would end with... just as you said.. the most expensive bit! Thanks

[@SailingLuckyfish]

@Pak De - I thought I was a cynic! That's a funny story but sadly, probably true. Good one.

[@marcusmendez8057]

I have a 1886 125 force outboard motor 4 cylinder. I am getting 3 out of 4 cylinders firing. I replaced the coil but still no fire on the fourth. There is only 2 CDI’s that feed power to the coils. Is it possible that one CDI is half way bad since three cylinders are firing?

[@philipritson8821]

Good girl Zaya! Corks on his glasses! What are they for I thought until I realised they will float if dropped into the sea!

[@SailingLuckyfish]

you got it!

[@samlewis7989]

Because an open circuit is often the problem, especially in high vibration environments, touch each solder point with a hot soldering iron to assure proper contact.

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Makes alot of sense, thanks. We still have the old board and will give it a shot.

[@stevensrspcplusmc]

You could take the one off the good one first and that will tell you quick ..I do that myself.. I’m a 7-11 refrigeration tech ..that’s what I do when I’m pulling my hair out😊

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Yes, that was Zaya's approach, "swaptronics" love it! Thanks

[@SALESPRODUCTIONS]

"Dry Joint"

[@johnt6530]

This looks like the CDI replacement you did a little EPs back??

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Yes John, we used some of that video in this one (and expanded the diagnostic part) to make a more useful video specifically on the whole CDI process...

[@weekendboater]

Excellent vid! My own test on Honda BF15 showed that replacement CDI module from other type of engine (quad/motorcycle) works fine as well!

[@j.l.daltoin2238]

I would have had a canvas or plastic under the motor in case I dropped a tool or part into the water that's how day usually ends up on the bottom lol the plastic or canvas sheet would catch what i drop lol

[@frankkreyssig7626]

You should use dielectric grease on all of those push connectors to help keep out the moisture

[@tazmun]

Yep he's like really really right ... like important right

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Hey Frank, I hope I pronounced your name right in the vid! Good advice, I have put that grease on our list... thank you

[@frankd2301]

I was going to ask if they used something 😉

[@frankkreyssig7626]

Luckyfish Gets Away ...... My better half sitting next to me watching the video said to me “did he just say your name? WOW he got the pronunciation correct.” Great video just goes to show that with the proper information (engine manual) and the Basic tools almost anybody with a little bit of mechanical aptitude can repair these things. Even though it was a lot easier before everything became computerized.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Show advantage of two identical engine rather than Main and Aux on most monohulls

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Yes. This is a huge plus for catamarans.

[@williamralph5442]

Tough place to get at. I would have dropped the screws in the water. good job.

[@SailingLuckyfish]

We took our time, it could have spiralled badly otherwise :-) Thanks!

[@jimnickles2347]

Good Work. Happy Easter...

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Thanks Jim, same to you!

[@fritzonvespa]

Gotta admit I had a tiny involuntary sphincter clench each time parts or tools passed over the open bay/water !! Just curious to know if your tender outboard is the same as your mains?....great way to give another option redundancy wise.

[@SailingLuckyfish]

tender is a 5HP Yamaha 2 stroke so no go there... it could be dangerous but fun with a 9.9 on it :-)

[@fritzonvespa]

Coolio ! ...... missed opportunity on brushing up on your water skiing !! (^..^)v One other thought / question...... do you run both motors together usually, or alternate ? ..... Guess it depends on current etc. if you need the grunt, but the gain from using two is not double , but guessing the fuel burn is. Thanks for the great vids..... always entertaining and often informative. Hope baby stuff is going well. Cheers! Chris.

[@SailingLuckyfish]

@@fritzonvespa we carry about 25gal or 100L of gas - on one engine at 3 to 4 kts we have a range of 250 miles, on 2 engines at 6 kts thats about 140 miles so yes, it makes a big difference. Glad you are enjoying the vids, our best to you

[@aCycloneSteve]

If the engine on your tender was the same you would have an extra backup.

[@canadaboycanada3620]

Better than Delos!

[@SailingLuckyfish]

That's a big call.... but thank you :-)

[@barrydavies2977]

500 hrs use and nearly $500 dollars for the part. That's nearly $1 an hour. That's terrible. In reality, for electronics, that's early life failure. Faulty manufacturing. If you hadn't taken it apart, it might have been worth talking to Yamaha. You might have got some off the price of a new one. As it is, if you've saved it, and find an electronics expert, he may be able to find what is wrong. If it's the capacitor, that's an easy fix. And then you get a spare. Anyway, looking forward to views of blue skies instead of the top of an engine next time. ATB.

[@SailingLuckyfish]

Fully agree Barry. We still have the old part and will take another look at it if we get the time that is! Yep, not looking at engines next episodes YAY - glad you slogged through this one.... cheers

[@donniesenor3440]

Zaya has excellent diagnostic trouble shooting skills, she is a keeper!!!!!

[@waylonlevins]

How much meth did it take to make this video?

[@donniesenor3440]

Zaya has excellent diagnostic trouble shooting skills, she is a keeper!!!!!

[@frankd2301]

$447. Thanks to Yamaha

[@SailingLuckyfish]

massive mark up on that... hard to know if we are paying shareholders or R&D

[@stanRmeyer]

Bury it in a bag of rice for a day

[@SailingLuckyfish]

It works on our phones.. didnt think of trying it on the CDI. thanks!

[@thatoldguyplayingcsgo9255]

oven temp to 480 allows any solder in the unit to re flow and make solid connections again.. Hence baking it..

[@SailingLuckyfish]

That's a great tip... you know, I still wonder if there is just a simple cracked joint in there... we might go over that old board and touch it with the soldering iron

[@stevensrspcplusmc]

You can put it in rice as well..the rice will dry it😊

[@SailingLuckyfish]

yes, we did not try it but we do use that technique with our phones - and it works very well, thanks!