Universal M-25XPB

[JCDSAIL]

Just replaced the broken fuel filter bracket that is part of the ongoing bugs that plague this engine.

I cannot believe that Catalina would choose this model engine for its propulsion systems. Apparently no one from Catalina ever noticed the rough running characteristics?
Due to the rough , uneven running I have replaced broken oil pressure wire connectors, starter solenoid connector after getting stuck with no start and now the fuel filter bracket. I have the idle adjusted correctly and try to feather the controls for smooth running.
I have had Yanmar products previously and am sorry that I did not have that choice on the 2004- 310.
JCD SAIL

 

[Witzend]

Bring the idle up to 1K, make sure your prop shaft is aligned to .003. Pay attention to settling of the motor mounts. This will cause miss-alignment make the tranny run hot, and wear the cutlass bearing. Excess vibration may also be hard on the damper plate. Some have had success using flex couplings. Constance attention to your alignment is key. Running your engine hard in rough conditions is probably a bad idea. Flexing of the system will bring the alignment out momentarily as it does under excessive vibration. Some have suggested the tranny and flywheel is undersized. Bottom line, it is not a very robust drive system, baby it and it will last.

 

[JCDSAIL]

Yes thanks for your reply. I have a new cutlass bearing and have been aligned as well.
Interested to watch the 309 forum and see if they experience the same problems or did Catalina fix those items?

 

[rpwillia]

309's have Yanmars

At least one guy I know with one has a Yanmar. I believe the standard is a 19hp.

 

[JCDSAIL]

I have owned 4 sailboats over 20 years and never had to worry about these engine issues.
If the 309 has Yanmar then Catalina has acknowledged an inherent problem with the 310.
Catalina should have offered 310 owners a solution to these problems and get Universal to pick up the tab.

 

[rpwillia]

Actually I think the switch to Yanmar was for $$$

I believe the Yanmars are cheaper, especially with the 19hp.

 

[paulj]

Look at it this way, in two years you will know your boat inside and out :dance:

and with the help of this fourm things will be
Easy, peasy, Japanesey, lemon squezzey......old London, England saying.

Goodnite JohnBoy


paulj :troll:

 

[Tom J]

Sounds like we've all had to deal with vibration problems from the M25xpb. The theory of an undersized flywheel, along with the 3 cylinder design, seems to make a lot of sense. Currently, my engine is set at 1250 RPM at idle in neutral, which gives fairly smooth operation, and at cruise, 2500 RPM, she's very smooth. But in between those RPM's, there are several places where the engine runs rough. Could this be some sort of harmonic imbalance?
When I bought my boat, the surveyor said the idle RPM should be 900 RPM, not the 1200 RPM it was set at. The engine had 19 hours on it. I reset the idle to 900 RPM, and 200 hours later, the heat exchanger brackets broke from vibration. The engine has 895 hours on it now, and that was the one and only problem I've had with it. Basically, it seems like a sound and reliable engine, which may be why Catalina installed it. If anybody figures out the vibration thing, though, it would be great to hear from them.

 

[rpwillia]

309's also have a different configuration

Yes thanks for your reply. I have a new cutlass bearing and have been aligned as well.
Interested to watch the 309 forum and see if they experience the same problems or did Catalina fix those items?

They don't appear to have a Cutless bearing as the shaft is never exposed. Instead of a strut the whole thing is solid. Not a bad set up.

 

[rpwillia]

I am sure Yanmars have their issues too

I do know that Yanmar filters are pressurized so they don't recommend after market filters like a lot of Universal owners get away with, etc. So I don't think the grass is really greener on the other side.

 

[BLUTE]

Just reterminated starter solinoid cable after came out of its crimp ......now replacing the lift pump cause thats stoped working yeah...not that easy getting parts for these engines in Australia :cussing:

 

[Witzend]

When you turn your start key to the on position but before you press the start button, do you hear the alarm ring? You should be hearing it until the engine starts. If you don't than clean the shovel connector that supplies power to the lift pump. The wire with the shovel connector that feeds current to the lift pump is located right on top of the engine where the lift pump is, see pic.
The alarm circuit is designed to provide it's ground through the lift pump. Once the engine starts that same wire is now providing the power thus changing from 0V to 12V silencing the alarm. If there is an open circuit to the lift pump the alarm will not sound. The engine will run fine with a full tank of fuel, but when it gets to ~3/4 than it will start loosing power, and will eventually quit from lack of fuel. Your lift pump may be fine.

 

[BLUTE]

Lift pump

Got a new lift pump the old one did not pump at all , took some effort to bleed the fuel system the secondary filter seems to hold on to a bit of air for some reason ,,,,,,Is there any benifit in having your primary filter where it is in your engine bay Witzend ? does it make it easyier to bleed the system when you change filters etc ?

 

[Witzend]

The location of the secondary is generally flexible. Keep this is mind, it's current height helps keep air out of the system if you need to remove. On the top of the Racor filter is a small pump used to help prime and bleed the system. Next to the pump plunger and under the plastic top threaded screw is a check valve consisting of a small rubber ball. This area can be clogged up with gunk.

 

[butchrobbins]

I hate this engine. I have had the boat almost 3 years now and have rebuilt the fuel pump twice and am presently replacing the water pump for the second time. Who had the bright idea to make the water pump shaft driven instead of belt driven? All this does is keep me from being able to replace it myself AND not be able to repair if not in port.....

 

[SceptreSailor]

Sorry to hear all the frustrations. My boat is 5 years old, I too have replaced my heat exchanger bracket. Universal sent me the bracket as well as a new fuel pump bracket and oil sump hose bracket at the same time. Neither of those have failed to date. When I spoke to them they told me to set idle speed between 1100-1200 rpm, which I have done and seems to have vastly reduced the vibration problem. And so far no problems. BTW the 25 XPB is still a valid model with Universal.