It was recommended to me last spring at my commission/launch by the marina to have the glow plugs replaced on my Catalina 27's Universal 5411. The previous owner told me that he had always had to hold the glow plug toggle up for at least a minute to get enough heat to fire up the engine. I found this to be pretty true (if not uderestimated)and figured the marina guys are right, so.....has anyone ever done this before? Did it help? I can't find any good information on it. From what I can find out it seems to me to be as simple as changing the spark plugs on a gas engine. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks guys! Steve
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as easy as...
Steve, It is as simple as changing the spark plugs, BUT... In my 5411 takes only 10 or 15 seconds to heat up the chamber (even after a month without running the engine) I think you can be facing a electrical failure (false contact) or lot of charcoal built up on your glow plugs, the charcoal will insolate the glow plug from the heating up the combustion chamber. (is you engine smoking??) If the problem is not electrical, it will be a little harder to remove the glow plug. Be sure of cleaning the thread before you screw it back (use your finger first and tools only to tight it up) AE
Steve, It is as simple as changing the spark plugs, BUT... In my 5411 takes only 10 or 15 seconds to heat up the chamber (even after a month without running the engine) I think you can be facing a electrical failure (false contact) or lot of charcoal built up on your glow plugs, the charcoal will insolate the glow plug from the heating up the combustion chamber. (is you engine smoking??) If the problem is not electrical, it will be a little harder to remove the glow plug. Be sure of cleaning the thread before you screw it back (use your finger first and tools only to tight it up) AE
Before you replace them, try this
Steve, One of the reasons people have to hold their glow plug buttons down so long is because of the dumb OEM wiring. First, check out the link below for installing a glow plug solenoid. Second, check out the Forum archives about "Wiring Harness" - if you have an ammeter on your cockpit panel you need to upgrade. Between either or both the two of these issues, you may save replacement of the glow plugs and spend more valuable time and effort in improving your boat's electrical system. Stu
Steve, One of the reasons people have to hold their glow plug buttons down so long is because of the dumb OEM wiring. First, check out the link below for installing a glow plug solenoid. Second, check out the Forum archives about "Wiring Harness" - if you have an ammeter on your cockpit panel you need to upgrade. Between either or both the two of these issues, you may save replacement of the glow plugs and spend more valuable time and effort in improving your boat's electrical system. Stu
Ditto Stu
Steve I set up my glow plug curcuit with a solenoid and it works great, 10 - 15 secs and my m25 is hot to start.
Steve I set up my glow plug curcuit with a solenoid and it works great, 10 - 15 secs and my m25 is hot to start.
panel upgrade
Thanks for the great information. One question for Stu about the panel. Everything with my boat and engine seems to be just great, minus the long glow plug heating time. So, why do you think I need to upgrade my panel? Thanks Steve
Thanks for the great information. One question for Stu about the panel. Everything with my boat and engine seems to be just great, minus the long glow plug heating time. So, why do you think I need to upgrade my panel? Thanks Steve
Panel upgrade???
Steve, it's NOT upgrading your panel. The panel is fine. It's the WIRING. If you read up on "Universal engine wiring harness" (Google it, the old C27 Association website had a great writeup, but their website recently got "improved" and it disappeared) you'll find that the old ammeter had the wiring going from the engine to the panel and back again to the engine. Long run for only running an ammeter. They (Seaward & Catalina and maybe other yachting companies) changed it in the mid- to late-80's, replacing the ammeter with a voltmeter, and then running the wire directly to the engine. If you can't find the harness info, post here again and I'll see if I can find it for you, I just don't want to write up a five page thing again, this has been done so many times here before. Stu
Steve, it's NOT upgrading your panel. The panel is fine. It's the WIRING. If you read up on "Universal engine wiring harness" (Google it, the old C27 Association website had a great writeup, but their website recently got "improved" and it disappeared) you'll find that the old ammeter had the wiring going from the engine to the panel and back again to the engine. Long run for only running an ammeter. They (Seaward & Catalina and maybe other yachting companies) changed it in the mid- to late-80's, replacing the ammeter with a voltmeter, and then running the wire directly to the engine. If you can't find the harness info, post here again and I'll see if I can find it for you, I just don't want to write up a five page thing again, this has been done so many times here before. Stu
Thanks
Thanks Stu. I now understand 100% and have read the archived posts about the wiring. Woke up to an inch of snow this morning, so working on the boat is on hold....again! Thanks again everyone. Steve
Thanks Stu. I now understand 100% and have read the archived posts about the wiring. Woke up to an inch of snow this morning, so working on the boat is on hold....again! Thanks again everyone. Steve
Calder's Text
Nigel Calder has a more than detailed section on testing and maintaining the glow plugs (and everything else on the boat) in his "Boatowners mechanical and Electrical Manual." This is a great book if you are interesting in keeping your boat healthy. F/W
Nigel Calder has a more than detailed section on testing and maintaining the glow plugs (and everything else on the boat) in his "Boatowners mechanical and Electrical Manual." This is a great book if you are interesting in keeping your boat healthy. F/W
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