Is there any current or archived info available on specific age-related problems with Universal engines. Do these engines have good longevity. My particular interest is the 33 HP model installed in the Oday 37.
universal diesel engines
- Thread starter geoff16655
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We've got 2,000 hours on our 1986 engine
and a friend has over 4,000 on his 1987 or 88. Mine's an M25, his an M25XP.
and a friend has over 4,000 on his 1987 or 88. Mine's an M25, his an M25XP.
Geoff
All of these little diesels are virtually bullet proof if basic maint. is kept up. There may be some little accessory problems, but with basic maint. and regular oil changes they will just about live forever.
All of these little diesels are virtually bullet proof if basic maint. is kept up. There may be some little accessory problems, but with basic maint. and regular oil changes they will just about live forever.
I've a 5416
which is 16 HP in my O30.. I've never owned anything diesel before and i must say i'm amazed. the trip from Bristol pa to the Chesepeake bay is 12 hrs under power and running with the tide and she keeps chugging along! hr after hr after hr... we changed the oil and the racor filters and use fresh fuel. Our electric fuel pump went out just before we left on our trip early last week. fortunately NAPA had the FACET fuel pump line in stock. I bought 2 (just to be safe lol) I've read on another forum that it's a good idea to have a container of diesel with a hose set-up to feed the engine by gravity should the tank and or fuel system stop working. I plan to do just that. what's nice about diesel is it's safe to store. good luck! Denise
which is 16 HP in my O30.. I've never owned anything diesel before and i must say i'm amazed. the trip from Bristol pa to the Chesepeake bay is 12 hrs under power and running with the tide and she keeps chugging along! hr after hr after hr... we changed the oil and the racor filters and use fresh fuel. Our electric fuel pump went out just before we left on our trip early last week. fortunately NAPA had the FACET fuel pump line in stock. I bought 2 (just to be safe lol) I've read on another forum that it's a good idea to have a container of diesel with a hose set-up to feed the engine by gravity should the tank and or fuel system stop working. I plan to do just that. what's nice about diesel is it's safe to store. good luck! Denise
M-18 Runs Fine
I have the M-18 (14 hp) engine in my Catalina 30 with 500 hours on the meter. From what I know, it becomes more of an issue with clean fuel, filters and mounts then pistons, pushrods, bearings, valves and the stuff that makes up the "block". With any diesel, clean filtered fuel and lube changes as required will keep it going for thousands of hours. The "outer" stuff like the stuffing box, cutlass bearing, etc, is what seems to get most of my attention. Bob
I have the M-18 (14 hp) engine in my Catalina 30 with 500 hours on the meter. From what I know, it becomes more of an issue with clean fuel, filters and mounts then pistons, pushrods, bearings, valves and the stuff that makes up the "block". With any diesel, clean filtered fuel and lube changes as required will keep it going for thousands of hours. The "outer" stuff like the stuffing box, cutlass bearing, etc, is what seems to get most of my attention. Bob
M25 w/3600 hours
Hello, My boat (1986 O'day 35) has an M25 with 3600 miles on it. The engine seems to run fine - it starts easily, makes plenty of power, doesn't burn or leak oil, runs at 180 degrees, etc. I have most of the maintenance records. The original owner had a problem with raw water pumps and went through 2-3 of them in the first 5 years. Since then, no more problems (I don't have records from 2001 - 2006). When I bought the boat in November of '06 it was very difficult to start when cold. The problem was the glow plug wires were dirty and did not carry enough current. I cleaned them and now the boat starts very easily after 30 seconds of glow plug. My engine does smoke a little. It's not very much, but I can see the smoke. It's bluish in color. The exhaust system is old and due for replacement. I hope the problem is a clogged elbow. Barry
Hello, My boat (1986 O'day 35) has an M25 with 3600 miles on it. The engine seems to run fine - it starts easily, makes plenty of power, doesn't burn or leak oil, runs at 180 degrees, etc. I have most of the maintenance records. The original owner had a problem with raw water pumps and went through 2-3 of them in the first 5 years. Since then, no more problems (I don't have records from 2001 - 2006). When I bought the boat in November of '06 it was very difficult to start when cold. The problem was the glow plug wires were dirty and did not carry enough current. I cleaned them and now the boat starts very easily after 30 seconds of glow plug. My engine does smoke a little. It's not very much, but I can see the smoke. It's bluish in color. The exhaust system is old and due for replacement. I hope the problem is a clogged elbow. Barry
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