Universal M25 engine condition

[madmax]

This is a 1984 Catalina 30 TG with a Universal M25 engine, approximately 1,016 hours. See the picture and tell me what you think. I am considering purchasing this boat, but I am not sure about the engine's condition. I'll have to ask the salesman more questions about it.

Do you think the engine is not well-maintained? It does look dirty, maybe covered with some rust.

Thanks!

 

[Steve_Catalina]

If interested make sure you get a survey. Just my two cents I would say no! I see there is still an original engine hose on a 40 year old boat, but more important I can see the connector for the engine wiring harness, it's still has the gummy trailer connectors. These are a known fire hazard as the rubber under the black tape dries out and falls apart. Check out c34.org, the critical upgrades, it addresses this major issue. Good luck

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I'll have to ask the salesman more questions about it.

The last person in the world you want to ask about the condition of the engine.

I'm afraid you're looking at the cost of having a qualified mechanic (not a yard ape) do a thorough inspection of the engine. The corrosion you see on the outside of the engine will not affect its operation. The corrosion is simply an indicator that the last owner was not mechanically inclined and didn't bother to do any maintenance and also didn't believe in hiring someone to do the work.

 

[jssailem]

but I am not sure about the engine's condition

You can try to turn on the engine, run it at varying speeds, send off a sample of the oil for analysis. You can listen to the engine. But if all that you hear is noise, it would be wise to hire a diesel mechanic to inspect the engine and provide you with a report of their findings

What is the condition the engine’s condition is in.

Salespeople sell.

Diesel mechanics report and get paid to tell you good news or keep you from emptying your wallet if the news is bad.

 

[dmax]

I think it's pretty clear the engine was not well maintained. It still could have plenty of life in it as diesels are tough (especially with onlly 1000 hours) but it needs a lot of work on the externals. I find the care of the engine is a pretty good indicator of the overall care applied to the boat. If the price is good and you want to get your hands dirty, could be a fine purchase - the Catalina 30 is an excellent boat.

 

[colemj]

That doesn't look bad to me. Doesn't even look poorly maintained in the sense of being a train wreck from neglect. It is a 40yr old engine that looks like it is mounted below waterline and below the sole, and what I see looks better than expected for this. Universal painted these a dirty gold color that looks like corrosion as it ages, but I don't see any unexpected corrosion, or even much at all.

However, there is no way to tell the condition of an engine by looking at its exterior appearance. Additionally, I've never met a surveyor who had the expertise or would do an engine analysis beyond the simple things required for a survey.

If you are still concerned after the normal survey operations of running the engine to WOT for an extended time to make sure it reaches WOT and doesn't overheat, and backing down hard with it to check the mounts and transmission, then hire a mechanic and get an oil analysis. The oil analysis won't be very useful without previous ones to compare with, but it will tell you if there is water/coolant or unusual amounts of metals in the oil. Assuming the oil hasn't been changed right before you take a sample.

Mark