Took our maiden sail on our 85 Cat 30 Tall Rig. On the way out my wife said she could smell something burning in the engine compartment. I took a look and thought it was just some residual oil on the engine. The temp gauge came up to 170 and was steady. We were only doing 2300RPM. On the way back in the same smell was there and after 5 minutes there were waves of heat some light steam and some light burnt oil vapors coming from the engine compartment. The entire compartment was very hot and obviously something was wrong. The temp gauge again only came up to 170 and we were doing ~ 2300 RPM. We had plenty of seawater going through the system. I checked the rediator expansion tank which was near over flowing and noticed that the cap was missing. I know we started with the level in the middle of the band but I do not remember if the cap was on. About 50 ft from the slip we got an intermittant alarm from the engine instrumnet panel and about a 2 minutes later the engine stalled. It turned over very slugishly and would not restart. Luckily we were close enogh to throw a line to some folks who helped pull us in the last few feet. Vaapors and heat were still coming from the engine compartment and it had that "Overheating smell" After the engine cooled down I checked the expansion tank again and it was empty. Still no cap. I put in some 50/50 antifreeze and water and the engine started up fine. We idled it for about 15 minutes but did not load it up. Temp gague was barely off of the peg. Not exactly sure what is going on and my wife wants me to have the yard check it out before she comes out. Can anyone think of what is happening with the engine? Can it be the missing cap on the expansion tank. and could the temp gague be reading wrong? What should I do next? Thanks MarcP
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Tom Wingo
Heat exchange
You might consider pulling off the heat exchanger and having it cleaned out at a Radiator shop. Also the heat exchange initally released with the X-25 was a 2 inch with they later decieded to upgrade to a 3 inch to reduce the overheating problem. I think the bottom line on the 2 verus the 3 inch heat exchange is that the 2 inch will work, but only if upkeep is very good!! I would also suggest that you check on the Catalina 30 Association web site (http://www.catalina30.com/) and order the Compilation of Tech notes for the Catalina 30. These tech notes will save you alot of headaches.....
You might consider pulling off the heat exchanger and having it cleaned out at a Radiator shop. Also the heat exchange initally released with the X-25 was a 2 inch with they later decieded to upgrade to a 3 inch to reduce the overheating problem. I think the bottom line on the 2 verus the 3 inch heat exchange is that the 2 inch will work, but only if upkeep is very good!! I would also suggest that you check on the Catalina 30 Association web site (http://www.catalina30.com/) and order the Compilation of Tech notes for the Catalina 30. These tech notes will save you alot of headaches.....
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Richard
Smell
For the smell, make sure you run the breather hose back into the air cleaner intake. We had the same situation on our 87 TR. 99% of smell gone. Get a cap for the expansion tank. If your losing the anitfreeze, it must of gone somewhere. Check the oil for signs of water. Was there steam coming from the exhaust while under power? Good luck
For the smell, make sure you run the breather hose back into the air cleaner intake. We had the same situation on our 87 TR. 99% of smell gone. Get a cap for the expansion tank. If your losing the anitfreeze, it must of gone somewhere. Check the oil for signs of water. Was there steam coming from the exhaust while under power? Good luck
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MarcP
Smell
RIch Thanks for the response. I am not sure what breather hose you were refering to. Where does it connect from? Also we did not have any steam or at least I didn't notice any steam in the exhaust. Thanks Again Marc
RIch Thanks for the response. I am not sure what breather hose you were refering to. Where does it connect from? Also we did not have any steam or at least I didn't notice any steam in the exhaust. Thanks Again Marc
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Denny Fegan
Overheating
Marc, I sailed out of Noak until I moved to TX 7 years ago. The cap is not important except for keeping the coolant from sloshing out of the overflow bottle. It sounds like you lost some coolant or the system was not vented when it was filled (it can be a real pain if the system was drained). In any event I would just monitor the system by watching the overflow bottle for a few hours and refill as necessary. If you continue to lose fluid then check all your hoses which is the most likely cause. Lots of luck. Let me know how you make out. Regards, Denny Fegan
Marc, I sailed out of Noak until I moved to TX 7 years ago. The cap is not important except for keeping the coolant from sloshing out of the overflow bottle. It sounds like you lost some coolant or the system was not vented when it was filled (it can be a real pain if the system was drained). In any event I would just monitor the system by watching the overflow bottle for a few hours and refill as necessary. If you continue to lose fluid then check all your hoses which is the most likely cause. Lots of luck. Let me know how you make out. Regards, Denny Fegan
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MarcP
Overheating
Based on the info from this thread I am starting to think that I have a venting problem. Prior to the overheating I changed the alternator bracket to the new design which required draining part of the cooling system. To refill the system I just put a water antifreeze mixture back in the expansion tank. I did run the engine at idle and advanced the throttle to 3000 RPM but the level in the expansion tank never changed. Also if the system was airbound I may not have had any water flow past the thermostat housing where the temp sensor is and that is why the gauge never indicated an overheating condition. Does this seem reasonable? Is there a better way to ensure that the system has been properly vented? Thanks Again Marc
Based on the info from this thread I am starting to think that I have a venting problem. Prior to the overheating I changed the alternator bracket to the new design which required draining part of the cooling system. To refill the system I just put a water antifreeze mixture back in the expansion tank. I did run the engine at idle and advanced the throttle to 3000 RPM but the level in the expansion tank never changed. Also if the system was airbound I may not have had any water flow past the thermostat housing where the temp sensor is and that is why the gauge never indicated an overheating condition. Does this seem reasonable? Is there a better way to ensure that the system has been properly vented? Thanks Again Marc
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John Visser
Venting/bleeding is a pain!
Marc, I think you're right. I had exactly the same problem, for the same reason - I partially drained to change the alt. bracket. I think the way I solved it was to bleed the air through the bleed petcock on the top of the thermostat housing, but it was a long, painful process. I would like to know a better way. Perhaps a pump to force fluid through the system, or a vacum pump on the thermostat housing? Or, perhaps a way of shutting off the lines to the water heater so an engine block drain wouldn't drain that part of the system? jv
Marc, I think you're right. I had exactly the same problem, for the same reason - I partially drained to change the alt. bracket. I think the way I solved it was to bleed the air through the bleed petcock on the top of the thermostat housing, but it was a long, painful process. I would like to know a better way. Perhaps a pump to force fluid through the system, or a vacum pump on the thermostat housing? Or, perhaps a way of shutting off the lines to the water heater so an engine block drain wouldn't drain that part of the system? jv
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Mike
Venting
On my 86' 30 I have a tap system that I can close the hoses going to the hot water tank. It can take a long time to get all the air out if you have a hot water tank installed. Keep checking your exhaust manifold and add the coolant there.
On my 86' 30 I have a tap system that I can close the hoses going to the hot water tank. It can take a long time to get all the air out if you have a hot water tank installed. Keep checking your exhaust manifold and add the coolant there.
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Dave Bousquet
Why not just add coolant into the radiator cap?
I don't think adding coolant to the expansion tank will do anything to help the problem. Add the 50-50 mix directly to the radiator until it comes up to just below a half inch of the opening. You're overheating because there is not enough coolant in the system. When you say the 'cap' is missing to you mean the radiator cap? If so, you need to replace it. Also make sure the heat exchanger has been cleaned out. If you have a basket filter on the intake, then you are most likely fine there. Also replace the pencil zinc, if you are going to take a look at the exchanger.
I don't think adding coolant to the expansion tank will do anything to help the problem. Add the 50-50 mix directly to the radiator until it comes up to just below a half inch of the opening. You're overheating because there is not enough coolant in the system. When you say the 'cap' is missing to you mean the radiator cap? If so, you need to replace it. Also make sure the heat exchanger has been cleaned out. If you have a basket filter on the intake, then you are most likely fine there. Also replace the pencil zinc, if you are going to take a look at the exchanger.
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