Universal 11 hp Diesel-purge fuel system

[country_bumpkin]

At the risk of getting chase/laughed out of here I'm going to pose a inboard/sailboat engine challenge:

I bougt a Cal 2-27 (yes that's a sailboat) that has a 12hp Universal diesel. It looks to be in great shape. The PO had is running 2 years ago right after he bought it. He said the mechanic had it on a travel lift and fired it up with a garden hose for cooling. He got it running but then i bogged down and choked. They hypothesized that old cruddy fuel clogged the injectors. The PO didn't want to wait for a fix so he bought a 5hp Merc and a motor mount in the meantime. I want to go back to using the inboard diesel. I am very mechanically inclined and want to do the work myself, but never did any work on a deisel. Does anyone have any advice on where to start? I don't want to pull the engine if I don't have to mess with the exhaust, cooling system, transmission, and linkages.

This isn't my engine, but it is of the same breed:http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/792488188.html

I have gotten great advice on this forum before, mechanical advice, business advice, ethical advice and also some great humor and wit. So, go ahead, laugh, but also, please help!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Universal 11 hp Diesel-purge fuel system

Ayuh,...

While I have No Idea what your motor Is,...
I wrench on Diesels,.... Daily.....

Just like any other motor that you thnk might possibly be starving for Fuel,..

Start with the Fuel Filter,... Is fuel present,..?? Is it Dirty,..?? Change the filter anyways,...

Is fuel moving from the tank to the injection pump by the primary fuel pump,..??
Crack the fuel line where it enters the Injection Pump,... You should have leaking fuel while turnng the motor over...

If So,...
Crack the 1st injector line at the 1st injector,... You should get a Spray of fuel...
Move on to each injector line at each injector...
The motor should be Running, maybe Rough, but running before you get to far...

Oil Changes,+ Compression tests aside,......

Good Luck,....
Oh,.. Btw,.. A picture of the Motor instead of a Similar boat would be Nice,.......

 

[country_bumpkin]

Re: Universal 11 hp Diesel-purge fuel system

Thanks Bondo for the jump start. I have read a little bit and will check both fuel pumps and also post pictures of the actual engine soon. Everything you said clicks and makes sense..........I envision this as a fall project...alot of fune and learning for me....

with your (Bondo and Co.) I know I can do this!

CB

 

[country_bumpkin]

Re: Universal 11 hp Diesel-purge fuel system

Good Luck,....
Oh,.. Btw,.. A picture of the Motor instead of a Similar boat would be Nice,.......

Went out and took a good look today. When I bought this boat six months ago I never thought the diesel would ever run again. I was content with the 5hp Merc pushing her in and out of the marina. But man, leaning over the transom to control the motor sucks. I sail on a landlocked lake in moderate conditions so I was okay with the OB, this was a similar setup I used on prior sailboats. I remembered the PO said he had the diesel running, and that he also spent over 900 bucks on a new prop shaft. He got frustrated when he couldn't get a mechanic to get the motor in shape so he shortcut with the OB.

Okay this is what I found today:

This is the boat in question:

1979 Cal 2-27, located on J Percy Preist Lake, Nashille, TN:

Front view of the engine:

trying to get the model number:

Instrument cluster, turning the key does get the gauges to jump, the light goes on, but when I turn the key to engage the starter is just draws more on the battery, also the same when I swith on the glow plug, the blower does not work at this time:

New prop shaft:

I haven't identified the model yet, but this may be it:

http://www.marinedieseldirect.com/universal/200157/universal-owners-manual-m-15-specifications.html

The other things I learned today:

There is no fuel tank. It has been removed.
I put a wrench on the lower pulley in the first engine picture and I can move it easily.
There was some major crap in the breather when I took it off.

Any advice on the model would be great!

Any advice on how to proceed would be great!

I'm thinking I need to:

Get the blower working.
Get the starter turning the engine.
Get the fuel system complete.
THEN: start Bondo's diagnostics he gave me a couple of days ago.

Thanks all!

 

[Don S]

Re: Universal 11 hp Diesel-purge fuel system

If you get ahold of an OEM manual for that engine, it will tell you in detail how to bleed the Fuel system. Without being able to see the complete fuel system and determining what type it is, it's imposssible to tell you how to bleed it.
I would be looking for bleed fitting on the filter, pump, and you may have to crack the injector lines and get clear fuel from them before it starts. It will never run on air.
I have always found that sail boat engines get the least amount of care and respect.

 

[fdavanzo]

Re: Universal 11 hp Diesel-purge fuel system

This is a Universal model 5411. I have worked on many of the universal models throughout the years. Most models were produced with closed freshwater cooling, this one however was not. These were prone to failure caused by insufficient cooling. I'm not saying yours is not worth fixing but you should make certain the cooling system is still functional before putting loads of money into it. The universal m-18 took the place of the 5411 around 1985, that model came equipped with freshwater cooling. If you need any more info, let me know.

Regards,
Frank Davanzo

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Universal 11 hp Diesel-purge fuel system

For parts, go to the Kabota dealer. That is who builds the engine for Westerbeke and supplies parts. You will spend about a third of the price that you will spend thru Westerbeke.

 

[fdavanzo]

Re: Universal 11 hp Diesel-purge fuel system

This is a Universal model 5411. I have worked on many of the universal models throughout the years. Most models were produced with closed freshwater cooling, this one however was not. These were prone to failure caused by insufficient cooling. I'm not saying yours is not worth fixing but you should make certain the cooling system is still functional before putting loads of money into it. The universal m-18 took the place of the 5411 around 1985, that model came equipped with freshwater cooling. If you need any more info, let me know.

Regards,
Frank Davanzo