Starting a 1999 28’ Catalina

[breton]

I am a new owner of this boat and it’s going in tomorrow. I have run the engine a few times but have a question or 2. The ignition is on the side of the display panel and the start button is on the display panel. The key turns one position and click, then you can turn it more.
I think buy turning it all the way that heats up the glow plugs? I do that for about 10 seconds before pressing the start button and the engine starts.
Is that the proper starting sequence?
Also after changing the fuel filters it was necessary to turn the key all the way to pump fuel through the bleeder plug. Is that the way to bleed the fuel after changing filters?
Anyhow thanks. I am new to diesels. I had an atomic 4 in my last boat for 34 years and had a good handle on that engine.

 

[jssailem]

Congrats on your new to you boat. Welcome to the SBO forum.

You have th procedures spot on. Not sure about the length of the glow plug heat up. The temperature when your starting will dictate the time for the glow plugs. If you need to stretch it a bit on cold days, add a little bit til you figure out what your engine wants.

If you mastered the Atomic 4 you will have no problem with the diesel.

Good luck

 

[JoeWhite]

Your starting procedure is correct. By holding the key on position 2 the fuel pump is energized and pumps fuel into the fuel lines.
However, after you change the fuel filters you will not be able to start the engine using the above procedure. The filters have no fuel in them and you must hold the key on the position 2 for about 60 seconds while the electric fuel pump fills fuel in the filters and any excess fuel will be routed back to the fuel tank. Then you can start the engine as normal.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Welcome, nice boat.

You should get to know these guys, too. All Catalina models have owners associations, either websites or groups..

Catalina28 groups.io Group

W elcome to the Catalina 28 group and the Catalina 28 International Association. (You do not have to be a member of the Association to join the online group) *To join our free Catalina 28 io.group, click the " Apply for Membership in this Group " button below. You will receive an email...

groups.io

 

[breton]

Joe White,
I was told I needed to bleed the fuel at a bleeder nut near the thermostat. I did that when I recently changed the filters. From your description the fuel passes through the filters and returns to the fuel tank. I’ll have to check this further. That makes it a 1 person job vs. a 2 person job.
Thanks

 

[Stu Jackson]

I thought about this some more. All this about a very nice boat but what engine do you have?!?

 

[Lori14619]

Welcome, nice boat.

You should get to know these guys, too. All Catalina models have owners associations, either websites or groups..

Catalina28 groups.io Group

W elcome to the Catalina 28 group and the Catalina 28 International Association. (You do not have to be a member of the Association to join the online group) *To join our free Catalina 28 io.group, click the " Apply for Membership in this Group " button below. You will receive an email...

groups.io

Thanks Stu for the referral. We actually just had a discussion not too long ago about this very.topic, and it does depend on the engine, boat year, location of the fuel pump, and the type of fuel filter. I have a 1995 MKII, with an M3-20B engine and I change the fuel filters on my own, and do most other maintenance items as well, cheap sailboater that I am, with the input of both this forum and groups.io. I'm also the membership and Web manager these days and welcome new members to our equally friendly and knowledgeable group.

 

[Stu Jackson]

and it does depend on the engine, boat year, location of the fuel pump, and the type of fuel filter

True, we're still waiting for the OP to let us know.

Thx for your efforts with your association, much appreciated I'm sure. I've been the secretary of our group since 1999, so I know the fun involved in meeting like minded folks and sharing info.