After 20 - 30 minutes of power at 2000 - 2500 RPM (5.5 knots) the engine loses power; must be throttled down to 1,000 RPM or less to avoid a stall. Can't figure out if it's the fuel pump, fuel filters, or something else. Fuel is clean (no obstructions in fuel line).
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what type of universal????
Sounds like some type of restriction. Do you know when the fuel filters where changed? Did you just fill up and do you keep your tank full?
Sounds like some type of restriction. Do you know when the fuel filters where changed? Did you just fill up and do you keep your tank full?
The engine is a Universal Model 25XP. Fuel filters were changed at the beginning of the summer; problem started to occur in late Sept. I don't understand, however, how this could be a fuel filter issue as the engine runs fine for the first 20, 30, 45 minutes. Why, for instance, would a warmer engine have an effect on power and not a cold engine? Does the fuel pump, for instance, if defective, break down after the engine warms??? Anyway, I can't figure it out.
Check your electric fuel pump's filter
Chris If you have an electric fuel pump, make sure its filter is clean. Catalina usually and unfortunately, plumbed the fuel from the tank to the pump to the Racor. That's wrong and should be changed to tank to Racor to fuel pump. There's a little filter screen in the bottom of the fuel pump that could get really clogged up. Check that first, then let us know. Stu
Chris If you have an electric fuel pump, make sure its filter is clean. Catalina usually and unfortunately, plumbed the fuel from the tank to the pump to the Racor. That's wrong and should be changed to tank to Racor to fuel pump. There's a little filter screen in the bottom of the fuel pump that could get really clogged up. Check that first, then let us know. Stu
It could be the pick up tube
After you have changed the filters and if it still does it unscrew the output fitting on the top of your tank and pull it out. You'll most likely find a screen on the end of the pick up tube. I had the same problem on my 1986 C-36 and after changing both filters (underway) not fun it still stalled. I pulled the pick up tube and took off the screen. You don't need a pick up tube screen yet some of the earlier Catalina's had them! If you have one get rid of it now provided you have two filters a primary and the secondary fuel filter on the engine..
After you have changed the filters and if it still does it unscrew the output fitting on the top of your tank and pull it out. You'll most likely find a screen on the end of the pick up tube. I had the same problem on my 1986 C-36 and after changing both filters (underway) not fun it still stalled. I pulled the pick up tube and took off the screen. You don't need a pick up tube screen yet some of the earlier Catalina's had them! If you have one get rid of it now provided you have two filters a primary and the secondary fuel filter on the engine..
A friend had the same problem
in his NonSuch 30. It turned out to be an air leak at the racor filter. Check that all fittings and junctions are tight. His turned out to be the manual prime pump on the top of the filter case was slightly loose allowing air into the system.
in his NonSuch 30. It turned out to be an air leak at the racor filter. Check that all fittings and junctions are tight. His turned out to be the manual prime pump on the top of the filter case was slightly loose allowing air into the system.
Pick up
Chris I suspect that Accoustic is correct the filter at the end of the pck up tube gets clogged and restricts fuel flow, it takes a while to show the effect as some of the debris fall off when the engine is stopped and gets pulled back when you are running, also the fuel in the system will allow the engine to run for a fairly long time until it uses up what is in the pipes. Throw the little filter away you have two much more effficient filters down stream --martin
Chris I suspect that Accoustic is correct the filter at the end of the pck up tube gets clogged and restricts fuel flow, it takes a while to show the effect as some of the debris fall off when the engine is stopped and gets pulled back when you are running, also the fuel in the system will allow the engine to run for a fairly long time until it uses up what is in the pipes. Throw the little filter away you have two much more effficient filters down stream --martin
FULE PUMP
FUEL PUMP: RUN YOUR ENGINE AT YOUR SLIP FOR 30 MINUTES,IF IT DIES WAIT 15 MINUTES AND HAVE SOMEONE BELOW TO LISTEN FOR CLICKING SOUND FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THE MAGNETS IN THE PUMP WEAR OUT SOME TIMES AND DO NOT MAINTAIN THE PERSSURE.ITS EASY TO REPLACE
FUEL PUMP: RUN YOUR ENGINE AT YOUR SLIP FOR 30 MINUTES,IF IT DIES WAIT 15 MINUTES AND HAVE SOMEONE BELOW TO LISTEN FOR CLICKING SOUND FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THE MAGNETS IN THE PUMP WEAR OUT SOME TIMES AND DO NOT MAINTAIN THE PERSSURE.ITS EASY TO REPLACE
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