Universal M25 XPB starter burned out.

[Muttondressedaslamb]

Last week, I took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to take an early fall sail on my Catalina 310 which is equipped with the Universal M25 xpb engine. Unfortunately, the starter button would not disengage, and I burned out the starter motor. There is also no power going anywhere to the boat. Can anyone recommend a good aftermarket replacement starter? The OEM replacement costs $1400.00 Also, is it normal to lose power to the whole boat when this happens? Hope someone can help me out

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

So this isn‘t a wild guessing game, you need to provide more info such as what power (DC or AC), what is battery status, continuity of starter switch, main breaker condition, etc…..

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Your engine is actually a Kubota tractor engine. Cross reference your Westerbeke part number to Kubota and you'll find the price will be much more reasonable. You can also have your starter rebuilt by an automotive electrical (starter/alternator) shop

 

[DaveJ]

Not sure of the arrangement of the batteries on your boat, but the fuse on the + side of the battery may have ‘blown’. This should be in the battery compartment, 6” or so from the + terminal. Also what is mentioned above…
Good luck.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I’d look for a blown fuse or overheated electrical connection before fixing the starter. It’s possible that the dead starter is just because it’s not getting power like everything else on the boat.

 

[Muttondressedaslamb]

So this isn‘t a wild guessing game, you need to provide more info such as what power (DC or AC), what is battery status, continuity of starter switch, main breaker condition, etc…..

It was the DC power. None goes to the battery check switch, navigation pod, freshwater pump, or cabin/navigation lights

 

[Muttondressedaslamb]

Your engine is actually a Kubota tractor engine. Cross reference your Westerbeke part number to Kubota and you'll find the price will be much more reasonable. You can also have your starter rebuilt by an automotive electrical (starter/alternator) shop

Thanks for the tip, but I already knew that. I called a Kubota tractor dealer who researched it, and he stated that the starter for the boat engines and tractor engines were different even though they shared the same block. The tractor starter wouldn't fit on the boat due to the radiator manifold's location

 

[Muttondressedaslamb]

Not sure of the arrangement of the batteries on your boat, but the fuse on the + side of the battery may have ‘blown’. This should be in the battery compartment, 6” or so from the + terminal. Also what is mentioned above…
Good luck.

My battery arrangement is two 4d batteries in parallel with a common negative ground. I am not an electrician, but it might make more sense to have the fuse on the negative side.

 

[Davidasailor26]

My battery arrangement is two 4d batteries in parallel with a common negative ground. I am not an electrician, but it might make more sense to have the fuse on the negative side.

Fuses generally don’t belong on the negative side. The main purpose of a fuse is to protect the wire if something shorts. Most things that a wire or connector would short to are themselves grounded, so you want to cut off power close to the positive source.

 

[kloudie1]

Many Kubota dealers know of the agreement between Westerbeke/Universal and the tractor parts places; that agreement forbids the knowing sale of a tractor part to a person using it on one of the Westerbeke engines. I had a discussion about that when trying to buy a Mitsubishi tractor part to use on a Westerbeke. Not saying that is the case with yours, but ya might want to investigate measurements, gear teeth, etc. carefully on the Kubota part. Alternately, as stated previously, have it rebuilt in a local shop if it is actually dead and not a victim of the other electrical gremlins. Good Luck.

 

[marcham]

How do you know the starter is burned out if there is no power anywhere on the boat???

 

[Muttondressedaslamb]

Not sure of the arrangement of the batteries on your boat, but the fuse on the + side of the battery may have ‘blown’. This should be in the battery compartment, 6” or so from the + terminal. Also what is mentioned above…
Good luck.

Looked into the battery compartment. You were right. There was a fuse connected to each of the positive leads. Both were blown. Bypassed them temporarily and got power to the boat

 

[Muttondressedaslamb]

How do you know the starter is burned out if there is no power anywhere on the boat???

See my answer below. The fuses on both positive leads had blown. By that time, I had already removed the old starter, and have since replaced it with an Api Marine aftermarket unit. The OEM replacement was over $1400.00. This one was $380. with tax and delivery. With all the smoke and smell coming out of the original starter, I wasn't taking any chances. Even if the original worked, I could just imagine it crapping out when the wind dies while I am in a shipping channel, and a Maersk container ship is bearing down on me

 

[Muttondressedaslamb]

See my answer below. The fuses on both positive leads had blown. By that time, I had already removed the old starter, and have since replaced it with an Api Marine aftermarket unit. The OEM replacement was over $1400.00. This one was $380. with tax and delivery. With all the smoke and smell coming out of the original starter, I wasn't taking any chances. Even if the original worked, I could just imagine it crapping out when the wind dies while I am in a shipping channel, and a Maersk container ship is bearing down on me