Hi - I have an '87 Catalina Mark II. Trying to change the filters myself this year & am a bit confused... I have a Universal M25xp and I'd like to change out the primary and secondary fuel filters, as well as the oil filter. Everything I'm reading tells me to open the bleed valve near the injectors after changing all of the filters, & wait until fuel flows freely/without any air, but I've noticed there's a valve on top of the oil filter housing, as well. Does that ALSO need to be bled? Also, if I mess up and don't bleed the system properly, will the engine still start?! Thanks.
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Easy to bleed
Not sure what you mean by a bleed valve on the OIL filter. The oil system is completely different from the fuel supply system and should not be involved at all when changing fuel filters. We always do the jobs (changing fuel filters and changing oil and filters) on completely different weekends. I can only stand so much mess at one time! We have a 1988 Catalina 30 MKII with a Universal M25-XP engine. It's very easy to bleed the thing. The first few times, we did all the tricks, opening the bleed screw on the fuel filters, etc. Now, we realize that's not really necessary. These days, we just change out both filters (the one on the motor and the racor), then open the bypass knob near the injectors, turn on the key and let the electric fuel pump run until things are full and the air has been pumped out of the lines and bowls. You'll hear the fuel pump ticking very rapidly for some time, then when things get full, it will slow to the normal slow tick that you hear when you start the engine. Close the bypass knob, and start the engine. We've never had any trouble starting or running after doing that. A neat trick (thank you Stu)is filling the racor filter bowl with injector cleaner prior to screwing it back on. Thinking is that gives the injectors a shot of cleaner the first time you start up. We did that last filter change and probably will from now on. Regards, Gary
Not sure what you mean by a bleed valve on the OIL filter. The oil system is completely different from the fuel supply system and should not be involved at all when changing fuel filters. We always do the jobs (changing fuel filters and changing oil and filters) on completely different weekends. I can only stand so much mess at one time! We have a 1988 Catalina 30 MKII with a Universal M25-XP engine. It's very easy to bleed the thing. The first few times, we did all the tricks, opening the bleed screw on the fuel filters, etc. Now, we realize that's not really necessary. These days, we just change out both filters (the one on the motor and the racor), then open the bypass knob near the injectors, turn on the key and let the electric fuel pump run until things are full and the air has been pumped out of the lines and bowls. You'll hear the fuel pump ticking very rapidly for some time, then when things get full, it will slow to the normal slow tick that you hear when you start the engine. Close the bypass knob, and start the engine. We've never had any trouble starting or running after doing that. A neat trick (thank you Stu)is filling the racor filter bowl with injector cleaner prior to screwing it back on. Thinking is that gives the injectors a shot of cleaner the first time you start up. We did that last filter change and probably will from now on. Regards, Gary
Filters
When changing either filter, buy some disposable baby diapers and place them under whichever filter you are changing. The soft material will soak up the fuel or oil and the plastic outer cover will keep it from running all over.
When changing either filter, buy some disposable baby diapers and place them under whichever filter you are changing. The soft material will soak up the fuel or oil and the plastic outer cover will keep it from running all over.
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