The engine on my 86 Catalina 36 overheated at the end of the season last year. I was getting coolant in my oil, we thought it was a head gasket issue but found it was worse once the head came off. The #2 piston was scorched and pitted the head on the #2 cylendar was pretty nasty so we opted for a re-build. We replaced all pistons, rings and bearings, new seals, gaskets etc, new head, rebuilt Injectors and intector pump.
We put the engine back together and installed it in the boat. Once in the boat it fired up and ran as smooth as butter. After a 30 min run we shut down and found that there was Oil in the coolant (reverse of coolant in oil). We pulled the head, looked around and replaced the head gasket put it back together and same Oil in the coolant resevior.
I'm at a loss to what the problem could be.. New Head, New Head Gasket.. I'm open to and looking for suggestions.
I am considering the option of a re-power. Your Thoughts? If I re-power which road is the best.. A new universal m25..... or a Beta Marine? If Beta Marine which model?
Or should I look closely at a C400 or C42 (I have been thinking one of those as my retirement present)
Greg Perkins
Port Orchard, WA
1986 Catalina 36
Sail #528
Greg
I'm a fan of Beta. Repowered a Cal 34 with a Beta 25 with aTMC transmission. Loved it.
I wouldn't give up on your engine yet. Looks like you have a ton of time and money in it.
1. Are you sure the oil you are seeing is new oil? Could it be left over from the earlier failure? It can be hard to clean hoses that are coated with oil.
2. Is it overheating?
3. Any coolant is the oil?
4. Apply pressure to the coolant system, does it lose pressure?
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
I do have a good bit of time and money in it that is true, and it has been a fun project. The Oil in the Coolant is new oil (the problem after the over heat was coolant in the oil). I fill the Oil and run the engine for about 20 mins or so and the Oil displaces the coolant. I have pressurized the coolant system and it does leak. No coolant in the oil (just oil in the coolant)
My options as I see it are
1. Hire a real diesel mechanic to look at it ($1200 or so)
2. Pull the engine and open it up again and possibly send the block to be x-rayed ($$$)
3. Cut my losses and re-power
With sailing season upon us I do not want to be on the docks while everyone else is having fun.
Greg Perkins
Port Orchard, WA
1986 Catalina 36
Sail #528
There is a great write up on beta replacement in the upgrades section. Iirc beta recommends the 30 for our 36’s. I think you are wise not to sink too much more into the M25
Les
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore