I just bought a 34' O'Day that has been on the hard in Sandusky for what looks like a full year and a half. I got it for a song and because of weather, was not able to try the engine. Is there anything I should look for as far as it being stored that long. I thumped the fuel tank, and don't believe it has old fuel in it. Should I pull lines and bleed it through? Any help on this would be appreciated...it is the one thing that I am apprehensive about on her. It is an Universal engine. Thanks!
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J
J.B. Dyer
Depends
The old M25, which is probably what you have is a tough engine but what is needed will depend on if it was stored properly on the front end. I would at a minimum, pull a fuel sample and check it for bacteria and stuff. It would probably be a better idea to have the fuel pumped off and purge lines. Change the oil and all fuel filters. You will have to bleed the air out of the lines after all of this. Check the impeller, it may look good but it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and put in a new one. Charge the battery and crank that puppy up. Mine has pre-heaters and yours probably does too. Be sure to engage them for about 30 seconds prior to attempting to crank it. That's minimum suggestions and I hope they help and she fires up ok. If it doesn't, you might have to get into touch with the dreaded diesel mechanic. There is a web site at the listed web where you can get just about anything for the Universal. Good Luck with it and let us know what happens.
The old M25, which is probably what you have is a tough engine but what is needed will depend on if it was stored properly on the front end. I would at a minimum, pull a fuel sample and check it for bacteria and stuff. It would probably be a better idea to have the fuel pumped off and purge lines. Change the oil and all fuel filters. You will have to bleed the air out of the lines after all of this. Check the impeller, it may look good but it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and put in a new one. Charge the battery and crank that puppy up. Mine has pre-heaters and yours probably does too. Be sure to engage them for about 30 seconds prior to attempting to crank it. That's minimum suggestions and I hope they help and she fires up ok. If it doesn't, you might have to get into touch with the dreaded diesel mechanic. There is a web site at the listed web where you can get just about anything for the Universal. Good Luck with it and let us know what happens.
D
Dave Mauney
Other ideas
I have an O'Day 35 that had the same situation when we bought it. I got a mechanic to do a compression check for the rings. Changed all the filters and in our case installed a separator/filter as a primary filter that was not there. We had the fuel in the tank pumped through a recirculating filter/dewater system with the suction hose moved around alot in the bottom of the tank to stir up what ever stuff. It has been running fine for the last 2 years. Congratulations, great engine and a great boat. If you want anymore info directly, dmauney@always-online.com. Good Winds, Dave Mauney s/v DAMWEGAS
I have an O'Day 35 that had the same situation when we bought it. I got a mechanic to do a compression check for the rings. Changed all the filters and in our case installed a separator/filter as a primary filter that was not there. We had the fuel in the tank pumped through a recirculating filter/dewater system with the suction hose moved around alot in the bottom of the tank to stir up what ever stuff. It has been running fine for the last 2 years. Congratulations, great engine and a great boat. If you want anymore info directly, dmauney@always-online.com. Good Winds, Dave Mauney s/v DAMWEGAS
J
J.B. Dyer
Something to Watch For!
Just had another thought that may be important to you in the event you are not that familiar with the M25. Some of the 34's and possibly others that I'm not familiar with had a very sorry mounting system for the alternator. This caused an undue amount of vibration in the alternator which resulted in a cracked timing chain cover which would leak oil into the bilge and burn the engine up if it wasn't caught in time. After you get the thing cranked up, take a real close look at the alternator. If it's flopping around a lot, it probably hasn't been upgraded. I believe that the factory up grade can be obtained at the web I sent you earlier, if not, they can certainly tell you where to get it. There is also a zinc, the one and only, in the port bottom of the heat exchanger that for the most part goes un noticed. I'll bet your's hasn't been replaced since the boat was new. Most folks think that it is just a drain plug. Again, Good Luck.
Just had another thought that may be important to you in the event you are not that familiar with the M25. Some of the 34's and possibly others that I'm not familiar with had a very sorry mounting system for the alternator. This caused an undue amount of vibration in the alternator which resulted in a cracked timing chain cover which would leak oil into the bilge and burn the engine up if it wasn't caught in time. After you get the thing cranked up, take a real close look at the alternator. If it's flopping around a lot, it probably hasn't been upgraded. I believe that the factory up grade can be obtained at the web I sent you earlier, if not, they can certainly tell you where to get it. There is also a zinc, the one and only, in the port bottom of the heat exchanger that for the most part goes un noticed. I'll bet your's hasn't been replaced since the boat was new. Most folks think that it is just a drain plug. Again, Good Luck.
G
Griffin
WOOHOO!
Well...Let's see... After pulling the impeller and changing the antifreeze, I replaced the primary fuel filter with a larger Racor unit. I put 5 gallons of fresh diesel in the tank. I breathed a sigh of relief when I pumped the dry Racor and saw the lovely color of red come flowing in. I then had my lovely firstmate engage the fuel pump while I bled the system. Fuel dripped where and when it should have...I was encouraged. I went up to try to turn her over after engaging the glow plugs...turn, turn, turn...nothing. I pulled the lines from the injectors and had my mate turn it over...hmmm...fuel there. Robin went back to removing the old name on the transom and I went back to swearing. I tried it another couple of times and then gave up...I went to the office and filled out a work-order for the mechanic. I came back and decided to try it one more time. I crossed my fingers and held up the glow switch. I held it for a full two minutes and told Robin to stand clear...turn, turn turn..pop...HUMMMMM! The motor was running and Robin was screaming. Seems that a wasp's nest and a spider's nest came spiting out at Robin...and I couldn't have been happier! Thanks for all of your help! Griffin.
Well...Let's see... After pulling the impeller and changing the antifreeze, I replaced the primary fuel filter with a larger Racor unit. I put 5 gallons of fresh diesel in the tank. I breathed a sigh of relief when I pumped the dry Racor and saw the lovely color of red come flowing in. I then had my lovely firstmate engage the fuel pump while I bled the system. Fuel dripped where and when it should have...I was encouraged. I went up to try to turn her over after engaging the glow plugs...turn, turn, turn...nothing. I pulled the lines from the injectors and had my mate turn it over...hmmm...fuel there. Robin went back to removing the old name on the transom and I went back to swearing. I tried it another couple of times and then gave up...I went to the office and filled out a work-order for the mechanic. I came back and decided to try it one more time. I crossed my fingers and held up the glow switch. I held it for a full two minutes and told Robin to stand clear...turn, turn turn..pop...HUMMMMM! The motor was running and Robin was screaming. Seems that a wasp's nest and a spider's nest came spiting out at Robin...and I couldn't have been happier! Thanks for all of your help! Griffin.
J
J.B. Dyer
Home Free
Congratulations Dude!! I'll bet you slept easier that evening. I know the feeling that you had. I am very careful every year when I put mine into storage and make sure that all of the t's are crossed and the I's dotted when winterizing the engine. BUT! Even though it has never given me a problem, every spring when I crank it up for the first time I am apprehensive and breath a sigh of relief when it fires up. I just had mine pulled out for bottom paint. Again, apprehensive , but, she stuck with me, no blisters and everything where it is supposed to be. They are tough old boats and worth having Keep us posted.
Congratulations Dude!! I'll bet you slept easier that evening. I know the feeling that you had. I am very careful every year when I put mine into storage and make sure that all of the t's are crossed and the I's dotted when winterizing the engine. BUT! Even though it has never given me a problem, every spring when I crank it up for the first time I am apprehensive and breath a sigh of relief when it fires up. I just had mine pulled out for bottom paint. Again, apprehensive , but, she stuck with me, no blisters and everything where it is supposed to be. They are tough old boats and worth having Keep us posted.
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