water in oil

Sep 1, 2013
53
catalina 30 suttons bay
Good morning All, yesterday I started up my 5411 for the first time this season. I replaced my water pump ( oberdorfer) and replaced some of the hoses, along with a new thermostat. I hooked up a "fakeleg" to the intake on the hull for fresh water and started the engine, i wasnt getting the water out of the exhaust like i like to see so i turned up the water pressure. Almost immedialty oil bubbled out of the engine. I immediatly turned off the water and cursed my act of stupidity. After i have calmed down , I drained the oil, poured a little seafoam down the fill to clear out any more water. Let it drain for 15min and refilled with 15-40 rotella. I started the engine back up and she purred and ran smooth, while i had the intake hose in a 5 gallon bucket. i ran the engine long enough to run 10 gallons through, all the while stopping and checking the oil level to make sure that it wasnt increasing due to water. Here are some of the things i did wrong. I used a marine thermostat from napa (140deg) and didnt buy a factory thermostat, and i increased the water pressure to have more flowing from the exhaust. The new impeller/pump works awesome but im curious why more water doesnt come out the exhaust, rather cycles back into the raw water intake thruhull. I am really hoping i didnt destroy my head gasket . Ill keep everyone posted, Shannon
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
The cooling system on the 5411 is designed to only discharge whatever water passes through the bypass holes in the thermostat when it's cold. Could be the NAPA stat has smaller holes? The larger bypass is necessary to keep from burning the exhaust hose. The NAPA stat would be ok if you drill the holes bigger, and worth doing if it's a lot cheaper. What's the NAPA part number? I looked for one at my local NAPA, they couldn't find one.

That's a really old engine, and if the head gasket is original it may be on its way out. If it does show signs of leaking, or decreased power, or increase in gasses from the breather, it's time to change it. Pretty easy straight forward fix. Go to your local or online Kubota tractor shop, get one for a Z500 engine in a B5100 tractor. About 1/4 the price for the exact same part.


I would change the oil one more time just make sure you got all the water out.
 
Sep 1, 2013
53
catalina 30 suttons bay
I agree , I'm going to change the oil one more time . Original head gasket for sure, It's counter intuitive thinking to watch Just a little water getting discharged out the exhaust when the boats on the hard . When she's floating , different story .
 
Sep 1, 2013
53
catalina 30 suttons bay
I will get you a part number , and I forgot to drill the holes to match the factory stat . My bad again
 
Sep 1, 2013
53
catalina 30 suttons bay
Capt , the fact that during and after I ran the motor with fresh oil and there was no new water present , in my mind a positive . What are your thoughts on this small engine Realtive to the head gasket ? Kind regards, Shannon
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
Of you don't see any signs of continued leaking I'd just run it. Catalina went to the 25hp after buyers complained the 5411 was too small, but if you're happy with it alls good. What's considered "minimum hp" keeps going up. Fifty years ago 11hp was considered adequate for a 30 footer, now some would say you need 35. It all depends on how you use the boat.
I'm running my 5411 in a Columbia 36, which is 500 pounds lighter and six inches narrower than your Catalina, so I figure the performance is about the same. I got it for "free" after my 20hp Albin died. Didn't know it was only 11hp till I researched it, but figured it was worth a shot. I don't go quite as fast with it, but that's ok. Overall I'm pretty impressed with it. A repower with a new engine would be $10,000, and I didn't pay that much for the boat. This little Universal doesn't owe me anything.