Diesel Smell in the cabin

[Dave]

Intake Silencer

What year is you Universal 25. It appears that the silencer was installed on early models and then removed. Do you know why it might have been removed on later models? I'm always looking for ideals for calming the iron beast.Thanks, Dave

 

[John]

Vent hose from the tank

Rick, I bought a catalina 30 last summer. It has a Yanmar diesel. It also had a diesel smell which permeated the cushions. All the replies are good and give several solid ideas. I finally found the source of the smell. It was coming from the tank vent hose that went to the vent fitting on the stern. The PO had used a standard automobile double wall water hose from an auto store. The fuel would lie in the hose due to the fact that it was lower than the tank fill tube. this caused the hose to deteriorate and the outer cover was soaking up enough fuel to ask as a sponge and give off the odor. I replaced the vent hose with the proper fuel resistant material and the smell was gone. the cushions lost the smell when stored off the boat for the winter. Hope this helps you and others.

 

[Stu Jackson]

M25 Silencer?

I am unfamiliar with the "silencer" for the M25 engine.As far as I am aware, there were only two different air intake covers used by Universal. Both are round and fit right over the 1 1/2 to 2 inch air intake on the starboard side of the engine.The earlier ones were oil filled, and were rarely serviced by owners.The newer ones have the sponge "filter" on the outside rim of the assembly. Both are shown in the Universal catalog, as Old Style and New.Neither one was intended as a silencer. Both were simply air filters to keep the air going into the engines filtered.The bloody engines rattle so much, there's no way an air filter intake could silence anything, nor would it be intended to do so.Stu

 

[Dave]

Intake Silencer

Stu,I believe what JB is referring to is item number 16 on the parts catalog page. See link below. I have a 1989/1990 Universal 25xp and the air clearner is a form element with a hard top. The element is visable 360 degrees. It appears that air cleaner enclosure was used on earlier models.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Silencer back

DaveAh, something new all the time. Part #15 is what I was referring to in my earlier post. That picture on your link has what I call "The Old" version, and the newer air filters have the sponge air filter on the outside. The newer ones are the ones Ron wrote up on our C34 website about buying a yard of 1/2 inch foam and stitching it together to give you clean filters for the next two decades out of that amount of material. I'm still looking for the foam. I hadn't ever noted the "Silencer" and can't remember ever having seen one installed. I'll keep looking. Also have to check my engine manual, which, of course, we just relocated downstairs to a new "Nautical Library." Up till just yesterday afternoon, it was right here within arm's reach. If you have any pictures of silencers in real life, sec@c34.org. I still don't know what they'd be silencing - the rest of the engine makes too much noise all by itself.Thanks,Stu

 

[Dave]

Here's One On A Cat 30

Stu,Here's one on a 1986 Catalina 30. I believe Universal converted to the open filter in later years. This may have been done to improve air flow or to simply reduce cost.

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Dave-Stu

Morning Guys:Mine is a 1983, and it came with the expanded steel cover with the foam ring around it and was original equipment at that time.The photo submitted by Dave is the "New Improved" breather that reduces the noise. The open breather with foam is real noisy due to the intake roar. The enclosed breather muffles the noise at the intake and makes a noticable difference. I haven't noticed any difference in the efficiency of the engine since the change, just noise reduction. Just about all of the recently manufactured marine diesels that I've seen have this type. I wouldn't know what the new Universals come with, I don't guess I've ever seen a new one. I'm not real sure that the original intent was to silence anything with the enclosed type. I think it just turned out that way and they include the "silencer" information in their description.Stu, how long has it been since you adjusted your valves? If you are getting a lot of rattle, you might think about it. My engine has 900 hours on it and is not that loud with the exception of the intake racket. I adjust the valves every 200 hrs.

 

[damauney]

Attaching valve cover breather hose?

I was considering ways to lead the valve cover breather hose to the air filter breather. My thought was to attach it to the intake pipe on the new style filter, or I could attach it directly to the side of the air breather body. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Second, does anyone know of a tube attachment fixture I could put through a drilled hole and slide the valve cover breather hose onto, preferably barbed. ThanksGood WindsDave Ms/v DAMWEGAS

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Dave M.

Morning:I drilled a hole in the bottom of the breather and screwed in a threaded 90 degree nylon barb. Threaded on one end, barbed on the other. I think it was 1/2 inch but I don't really remember. I chose that location as it kept the hose out of the way best for me. Go to Lowes or a store of that type (home improvement) and look in the plumbing section, I think you'll find what your looking for.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

This is what an un-silenced air cleaner looks like

An enclosed can will lower the roar but this is my muscle car. After 36 years, it's still just as much fun to play around under the hood with the engine running as to go sailing.

 

[Rick]

The silence of the lamb

Who has heard of or used the product ACOUSTIBLok. We have a dealer here in NC and he says it will work and it is only 1/4 inch thick. I would like to try it.

 

[Bryon Thomas]

Fred

I'm a Ford man myself, but that is one nice looking engine! Credit must be given where credit is due. Bryon

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Bryon, Thank You.

That means a lot, especially from a Ford man. Here's a shot of the new radiator. There are more shots on my web site, #134-139 and a very short history.