I have removed the 11 HP Universal Deisel from my recently purchased 1983 Catalina 27. It was pretty rusty and I am planning to have it sandblasted, repainted, the the block flushed, replace the heat exchanger, fuel filter and glow plug. I also want to clean up and paint the engine compartment. The back flow preventer flap on the thru hull discharge fitting is long gone and needs to be replaced. I am looking for advise on what I should do to this engine before returning it to its cramped compartment. My mechanic does not think it needs a major overhaul. I believe the boat sat on land for at least a year before I bought her. On the second day of our voyage to bring her home the engine, which had been running smoothly the day before, started overheating quickly as we were approahing the Cape Cod canal. After checking the water intake and inspecting the new impeller which were functioning fine, I removed the hose that went into the block at the impeller housing and blew into it. It seemed competely blocked. Eventually, at my son's suggestion, I attached my new hand bildge pump(in a crude fashion with some electrical tape and my hand wrapped tightly around the the joint) to the hose and pumped away. I managed to extract about a quart and a half of seawater and black crud. I ran the engine for a few minuted and repeated the process. The engine ran well after that.
Universal Deisel Overhaul ADVISE
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Universal 11hp
Bill If it runs well, and based on yoru description, it just seems that all the hoses need to be replaced. If it humms, keep her. Stu
Bill If it runs well, and based on yoru description, it just seems that all the hoses need to be replaced. If it humms, keep her. Stu
Premptive maintenance
I would replace the thermostat, impeller blade and try to find the blockage. On some engines the thermostat should close off the coolant bypass and also open the coolant port into the engine. If that doesn't happen the coolant inside the engine boils and the resulting pressure blows the coolant out of the engine. The first casualty of an over-heated engine is the head gasket. You might want to replace the HG while the engine is out. I have a smaller engine in my boat that got a little too hot once or twice last summer. On Labor Day it wouldn't start due to low compression. Here are some pictures of the rebuild I did.
I would replace the thermostat, impeller blade and try to find the blockage. On some engines the thermostat should close off the coolant bypass and also open the coolant port into the engine. If that doesn't happen the coolant inside the engine boils and the resulting pressure blows the coolant out of the engine. The first casualty of an over-heated engine is the head gasket. You might want to replace the HG while the engine is out. I have a smaller engine in my boat that got a little too hot once or twice last summer. On Labor Day it wouldn't start due to low compression. Here are some pictures of the rebuild I did.
11 hp diesel
Hi One point in your over view you mentioned new impeller. Maybe part of the old impeller got lodged in the cooling channels,hence the over heating. You may have cleared the channels with the hand pump. Check the thru haul for good flow, check the thermostat it may be rusted and corroded(cheap to replace)I am sure you can buy a product that will help clean the cooling channels
Hi One point in your over view you mentioned new impeller. Maybe part of the old impeller got lodged in the cooling channels,hence the over heating. You may have cleared the channels with the hand pump. Check the thru haul for good flow, check the thermostat it may be rusted and corroded(cheap to replace)I am sure you can buy a product that will help clean the cooling channels
Many thanks!
Thanks everyone. I must say, pictures are worth more than words. After my overheating experience I ran the engine for at least 6 hours on numerous outings. She became difficult to start but never overheated again. I will have the compression tested as well as replacing the glow plug, inspecting the thermostat, and replacing the exhaust system and all hoses.
Thanks everyone. I must say, pictures are worth more than words. After my overheating experience I ran the engine for at least 6 hours on numerous outings. She became difficult to start but never overheated again. I will have the compression tested as well as replacing the glow plug, inspecting the thermostat, and replacing the exhaust system and all hoses.
Difficult to Start
Bill Check the wiring to the starter solenoid and the GROUND wiring. There should also be a fuse in the wire from the start button or key to the starter. Check the fuse and the condition of the fuse holder, replace if necessary. Before you start worrying about the starter, remember it works by electricity: battery condition, wire size from battery to starter AND GROUND, connections, fuses, etc. Glad to hear it's still hummin'
Stu
Bill Check the wiring to the starter solenoid and the GROUND wiring. There should also be a fuse in the wire from the start button or key to the starter. Check the fuse and the condition of the fuse holder, replace if necessary. Before you start worrying about the starter, remember it works by electricity: battery condition, wire size from battery to starter AND GROUND, connections, fuses, etc. Glad to hear it's still hummin'
Stu- Status