Greetings All,
I bought my 5th sailboat last month - a 1995 Catalina 36 MK II with the 30HP 35A model diesel engine.
She had been on land for four years and needed a bit of everything. After several weeks of refitting - re-rigged roller furling main, new shaft, coupler and cutlass bearing, replacement of the Sherwood water pump with an Oberdorfer, a Marlon cutoff rebuild of the valves by Forespar, and various other odd jobs, I am nearing the home stretch to finally take her out sailing. We even did the purple power and vinegar cleaning on the inner hull to get her smelling good. When we re-launched after painting her bottom, and replaced the fuel filters, we found the fuel pump not working. I have a replacement pump from Catalina Direct and will be installing it this weekend. I will top up the fuel tank to ensure gravity is also working to my advantage and bleed the system using the ignition key in short intervals so as to not burn up the glow plugs. The engine cranked right up prior to haul out, so I am hoping this is the only issue standing in my way of finally getting this boat our on the water and setting her sails. If this doesn't work, I am fearing a crew mutiny and an Admiral court marshall. I could use some moral support! If anyone is around Deale, MD this weekend to lend any further advice, I will provide the libation and victuals!
It has been a long ride but the advice on this forum has been invaluable.
Cheers!
Alex J
Mango Tango
1995 Cat 36 MK II
#1400
Alex
Are you familiar with bleeding the 35A?
Try and ensure that you filters and lines are as full as possible. Make sure you open the bleed valve on the Starboard side. Engine is very easy to bleed. I just open the valve, turn the key on for 20 seconds a couple times. When the engine starts I leave the valve open for about 30 seconds. That's about it. If it runs rough open the valve again.
If the engine doesn't fire right away, bleed again. Don't crank engine too long. There can be a problem with over filling the lift muffler.
Very simple engine, just give fuel and air.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Alex
I won't be anywhere near MD this weekend but good luck nonetheless. Post a picture or two and let us know how it goes.
Marc & Susan Garcia
"Solla Sollew" #1473, Mk.II
San Buenaventura, Ca.
Thanks for the reply and well wishes. I'd be curious to know exactly what this starboard side bleed valve looks like. Some people refer to it as a "knurled knob", and some refer to it as the nut at the end of the fuel line before the injectors. Since 1995 was the first of the MK II's, perhaps my engine didn't have this so-called knob...
BTW - the fuel pump came from Catalina Direct full of some liquid that definitely was not diesel. I called them up and they couldn't tell me what is was, but said it was tested prior to shipment. Must be some sort of harmless injector cleaner solution or something.
Alex J
Mango Tango
1995 Cat 36 MK II
#1400
Alex
My M 35a has a "knurled knob",.Look on our site under manuals for the M-35 engine, I bet you will find what your looking for. If you do search for "engine bleeding" there is a ton of info. The engines that use the ""nut", use a different procedure for bleeding. When loosening the "Bleed nut" air and fuel will be coming out. The knurled knob engines return the fuel to the tank. Some people refer to the "knurled knob", engines as self bleeding. The other, nut type is more like bleeding brakes on a car.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Check out page 22 of the M-35 tech manual. There is a clear picture of the air bleed "knurled knob"
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Thanks all for the guidance. Yes, with a working fuel pump, this engine is easy to bleed. Got it done in short order and sailed 3 days in a row. Sails like a dream!
Alex J
Mango Tango
1995 Cat 36 MK II
#1400