howdy all,
I have decided to replace the glow plugs in my 1984 mark I, as far as i know they have never been replaced. anyone replace plugs that old? any words of wisdom in extracting the old plugs. the reason i ask is the last time i tried to remove anything from the engine, i removed it buy in two pieces, one of the thread bolts snapped in two and i don't believe i applied that much pressure. I don't really know what to expect.
regards
—
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
You should not have much trouble getting the glow plugs out, they are not torqued in that tight, they have a fairly fine and long thread as I recall. If you have time, as with most threaded parts on the engine, I would spray some penetrating oil on them a few days before you attempt the task as it may ease your burden.
Many people ignore their glow plugs until they have an issue with them, it is a good idea to inspect or replace them fairly often as over time the outer case can get get thin and brittle and the tip of the glow plug can break off inside the combustion chamber and damage the engine as there is precious little space between the piston and head at top dead center. The glow plugs are fairly cheap if purchased from a Kubota parts house and they are easy to replace. You will need a #12 metric deep socket, the Kubota P/N for 25XP engine glow plug is 15951-6551-3 or the NGK number is Y-103V, the NGK number you may find at an auto parts house as well. Do not overtighten the knurled nut for the connector, these should have a slot on one side so you can take them off with a thin bladed screw driver.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
Mike- I have not changed my glow plugs, but would advise making sure the area around the plugs if free of any dirt and debris to avoid having something fall in. Also- you can buy glow plugs at the auto store- don't pay for expensive marine store versions- no need!
Laura
Laura Olsen
Past Commodore
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD
Mike,
I removed and cleaned my glow plugs last summer. It was not a tough job. I used some penetrating oil a few hours prior to removal and had no problems. I also took a few photos and made a simple diagram to help out with putting everything back together. I agree with the prior suggestion to make sure the area around the plugs are clean!
And...this is a must...if you have not done so go to the "Upgrade" section, page 7/bottom page, and look at the glow plug solenoid upgrade. The article gives a step by step proceedure to imporve the 12V power to the solenoid. Prior to the upgrade power to the glow plugs was around 9V's. After the fix the power was well above 12V's. The result went from holding the glow plug toggle switch for around 40+ seconds to less than 10 seconds! My engine now fires right up without any lugging or sputtering...even in cold weather...
Chris
Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA
Chris et all,
thanks for the reply, doing the upgrade is exactly why I am replacing the glow plugs. I performed the upgrade and in cold weather starting the engine is still somewhat problematic. In looking at the plugs it doesn't appear that they have every been changed out. the weather is a little bit colder in the winter, especially this winter, than where i purchased the boat from three years agoe. in the summer the engine doesn't have a problem starting but this winter it has been a problem. even after the upgrade so i thought it would be a good idea to replace the plugs since they are relatively inexpensive and see if that clears up the problem. thanks for all the suggestions. once again membership in the catalina 36 organization has paid off. i'll see how it goes this weekend.
regards
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
howdy all,
just an update, i was able to get the glow plugs out with a bit of effort, i can't really tell if the old plugs were good bad or indifferent. they certainly had a fair amount of build up on them. once the new plug were and the upgrade was completed i tried starting the engine after a ten count, no luck. i then try a 20 count and it fired right up, so i guess the sweet spot is some where between 10 and 20 seconds. BTW i didn't see anyway that a socket, deep or otherwise would have been able to get to the fitting. i just used an open ended wrench and was careful.
Regards,
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
[QUOTE=ciscocat;4152]... i tried starting the engine after a ten count, no luck. i then try a 20 count and it fired right up, so i guess the sweet spot is some where between 10 and 20 seconds. [/QUOTE]
Do you have a glow plug solenoid installed? See: [url]http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Faster%2C_More_Efficient_Glow_Pl...(link is external)
If you don't, 20 seconds is very good.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)