recently purchased a 1980 cat. 30 with a universal 5411 (10 hp) diesel(diesel may be 1988. When throttling all the way back, in or out of gear, the engine dies. Is throttling back all the way an automatic shut off for this engine, or do i have a problem with this engine. This could be dangerous in docking etc.. Also, after throttling down below 800-1000 rpms, the tachometer reading drops to '0'. Does anyone know if on this engine the alternator stops putting out juice at low rps or does this sound like a mechanical problem as well.. I don't feel comfortable with a 10,000 lb boat and a 10hp diesel to stop at a dock etc., so could anyone tell me their experience with going to a 25 hp engine and trans. as well as cost.Both new installed and or rebuilt. also, my engine and transmission are good, would their be a selling or trading value there? Many thanks for any advice.... under power in Sarasota
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Chris Gonzales
ARCHIVES
Lee, Please take a few moments to read the achives. There are many posts regarding the 5411 including your concerns. And yes, the way to kill the engine is to throttle back all the way. There are also other important consideratrions regarding starting, the cooling system and more. Chris
Lee, Please take a few moments to read the achives. There are many posts regarding the 5411 including your concerns. And yes, the way to kill the engine is to throttle back all the way. There are also other important consideratrions regarding starting, the cooling system and more. Chris
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Tom
Universal 5411 - ticking bomb...
My boat had a Universal 5411 - lasted two months from the day I got it. Being salt water cooled, these engines just don't last as long as a fresh water cooled engine. Repowered with a Volvo-Penta (Perkins) 3 cyl. 18 hp MD2020 engine. VERY happy with it. I knew at the time that I would need to repower eventually, just not so soon. Anyway, I think the Universal (and any other salt water cooled engine) is worthless. If you want peace of mind and reliability, repower now. Seems to me that 18 - 20 hp should be sufficient for your needs. I also considered the 18 hp Yanmar, but chose the Volvo because it's a little smoother (3 cylinders versus 2). Good luck!
My boat had a Universal 5411 - lasted two months from the day I got it. Being salt water cooled, these engines just don't last as long as a fresh water cooled engine. Repowered with a Volvo-Penta (Perkins) 3 cyl. 18 hp MD2020 engine. VERY happy with it. I knew at the time that I would need to repower eventually, just not so soon. Anyway, I think the Universal (and any other salt water cooled engine) is worthless. If you want peace of mind and reliability, repower now. Seems to me that 18 - 20 hp should be sufficient for your needs. I also considered the 18 hp Yanmar, but chose the Volvo because it's a little smoother (3 cylinders versus 2). Good luck!
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Chris Gonzales
Nonsense!
A ticking bomb? My C30 is a 1979 and my little 5411 ticks like a ROLEX not a bomb! Th engine is a little underpowered for the boat but it just runs and runs, sips fuel and is extremely easy and cheap to maintain. Sure, I would repower with an 18 or 25 HP engine if someone walked up and handed me one, but this little deisel engine works perfectly getting me in and out of the slip. I spend the rest of the time under sail. Chris
A ticking bomb? My C30 is a 1979 and my little 5411 ticks like a ROLEX not a bomb! Th engine is a little underpowered for the boat but it just runs and runs, sips fuel and is extremely easy and cheap to maintain. Sure, I would repower with an 18 or 25 HP engine if someone walked up and handed me one, but this little deisel engine works perfectly getting me in and out of the slip. I spend the rest of the time under sail. Chris
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cole
Sking
My 5411 runs great and have had only minor probs with a water pump it always starts and pulls skiers with ease. If you must replace the engine, go ahead. If you are not happy with the performance, get a Hatteras OK IT WONT PULL A SKIER
My 5411 runs great and have had only minor probs with a water pump it always starts and pulls skiers with ease. If you must replace the engine, go ahead. If you are not happy with the performance, get a Hatteras OK IT WONT PULL A SKIER
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Bob Camarena
$$$$
Relax, learn it's eccentricities and save your money. I'm with Chris on this one, it's the "Little Engine that Could". We both use our 5411's in SF Bay without problems and I sometimes motor all the way from the Delta to the Bay (12+ hours). Repowering can easily cost you $6,000+. You'd be better off selling your boat and buying a newer model. I doubt that your engine is a 1988, I think Catalina moved away from the 5411 in 1983 or so. Would I like to have a bigger engine? Sure. Would I invest $6,000+ in repowering? Not as long as the 5411 is running. The only thing I've had to do to it other than normal maintenance is to replace the exhaust piping from the manifold to the muffler (and that was after the boat was 17 or 18 years old.
Relax, learn it's eccentricities and save your money. I'm with Chris on this one, it's the "Little Engine that Could". We both use our 5411's in SF Bay without problems and I sometimes motor all the way from the Delta to the Bay (12+ hours). Repowering can easily cost you $6,000+. You'd be better off selling your boat and buying a newer model. I doubt that your engine is a 1988, I think Catalina moved away from the 5411 in 1983 or so. Would I like to have a bigger engine? Sure. Would I invest $6,000+ in repowering? Not as long as the 5411 is running. The only thing I've had to do to it other than normal maintenance is to replace the exhaust piping from the manifold to the muffler (and that was after the boat was 17 or 18 years old.
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Chris Gonzales
Speaking of the delta...
I recently moved my boat from Richmond (on San Francisco bay) to a marina near Rio Vista on the Sacramento delta. Toward the end of the 9 hour sail we were tired and decided to motor the last hour or so. The wind was blowing 30+ and there was plenty of chop. The little 5411 (original equipment making this engine 22+ years old) pushed us right along without missing a beat. You will read a lot about how this 11 HP diesel can't move the boat well. In the above mentioned conditions we moved along at 4 to 5 kts. Good enough for me!
I recently moved my boat from Richmond (on San Francisco bay) to a marina near Rio Vista on the Sacramento delta. Toward the end of the 9 hour sail we were tired and decided to motor the last hour or so. The wind was blowing 30+ and there was plenty of chop. The little 5411 (original equipment making this engine 22+ years old) pushed us right along without missing a beat. You will read a lot about how this 11 HP diesel can't move the boat well. In the above mentioned conditions we moved along at 4 to 5 kts. Good enough for me!
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Jack Swords
It's a sailboat!
The 11 hp engine is raw water cooled, as are so many fishing boats. That the early 80's engines are still going strong attests to its longevity. My 5411 has pushed the boat in rotten seas all over the CA channel Islands and down to Mexico where she lives now. Hull speed is hull speed and with wind and chop that sail comes in handy! The fuel consumption is minimal, and she just goes on and on with no complaints.
The 11 hp engine is raw water cooled, as are so many fishing boats. That the early 80's engines are still going strong attests to its longevity. My 5411 has pushed the boat in rotten seas all over the CA channel Islands and down to Mexico where she lives now. Hull speed is hull speed and with wind and chop that sail comes in handy! The fuel consumption is minimal, and she just goes on and on with no complaints.
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Larry W.
the mighty 5411
Lee; I have to agree with the consensus. The 5411 is the Model T of diesel engines. Simple, reliable, economical. I had one for five years and other than replacing the exhaust pipe and the raw water pump, did nothing but change the oil. I motored from Ensenada to Long Beach with a two-blade folding prop at 5.5 knots. Stick with it.
Lee; I have to agree with the consensus. The 5411 is the Model T of diesel engines. Simple, reliable, economical. I had one for five years and other than replacing the exhaust pipe and the raw water pump, did nothing but change the oil. I motored from Ensenada to Long Beach with a two-blade folding prop at 5.5 knots. Stick with it.
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