I am a new owner of a 1986 Catalina 36 and recently joined the association.
I was practicing docking today and I noticed a delay of about 2 seconds from when I shifted into reverse until reverse actually engaged. It feels like the transmission slips and then engages. There is no delay when shifting into forward; it engages immediately. Any idea where I might begin to trouble shoot this?
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Paul Meyers
1986 Catalina 36
Hull #615
Ventura, California
First step, go to the User CP link on the blue band, upper left corner of this page and set up an automated signature. In order for us to help you we need to know more about you and your boat. Use my signature below as a model of what kind of stuff to put in your automated signature. It's easy to set up.
I have no idea how your boat is set up, but my guess is that you have an Autoprop or some other adjustable propeller that is causing the delay.
Welcome aboard.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
pmeyers,
From the year of your boat, you probably have a 21hp Universal M25. The 23hp M25XP was introduced the following year. First thought - have you checked the level of fluid in the tranny, and/or have you changed it? It might be low, possibly giving those symptoms.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
The engine is an M25XBP, new in 2004, very few hours. I had an engine alignment done about a week ago and fluid levels were checked. I did not check them again, but will when I get back to the boat. I do not know when fuild was last replaced. I was looking at the Hurth site and they were recomending a synthetic oil that they sell. Is it possible that old oil or the wrong oil will cause slippage? It is only going into reverse; going into forward seems normal.
I have a three bladed fixed prop.
Paul Meyers
1986 Catalina 36
Hull #615
Ventura, California
pm, your engine is pretty similar to the M25. Inspect the transmission where the cable comes from the binnacle on the engine/transmission. Make sure there is no play and the lever on the transmission works properly. You may also have some binding on the cable between the lever on the binnacle and down below. It's easy to check the fluid level, but these are the next steps, in fact, I'd do these first. The engine manuals can be found all over the web:
[url]www.marinedieseldirect.com[/url]
This C36 website, and our C34 website both have tons of information on these engines.
The transmissions are the same on all varieties of the M25 series.
What Hurth transmission do you have, 50 or 100?
I'd stick with the standard Dexron transmission fluid. I bought a quart for our 1986 boat when we bought her in 1998, and I still have lots left.
[url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5139.0.html[/url]
and
[url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5670.0.html[/url]
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
I would guess cable adjustment might be the issue.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
I too would agree with the cable adjustment check though you did not answer the prop question. Some folding and feathering props do take a significant amount of time to move from forward to reverse. Another quick check for cable adjustment would be to (while tied to the dock) disconnect the shift cable from the transmission and phisicly shift it into reverse at the transmission and see if there is a delay. If not move the control on the quadrant to reverse, adjust the rod end on the cable until it lines up with the hole in the shift lever and reconnect the control and check and make sure it goes into the forward detent as well.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
The shift cable may need to be greased.
Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.
Pmeyers:
Welcome to the C36 world!
As you noted in post #4 of this thread, you have a fixed three blade prop. So prop feathering/pitching likely is not the issue here.
Hopefully you have an M25XPB operator's manual as it will show you the total throw of the shift lever on the transmission from neutral to reverse and neutral to forward.
With the transmission in neutral, the shift lever on the transmission should be perpendicular to the transmission output shaft and prop shaft and of course the shift lever at the binnicle will be in mid-throw. When you move your shift lever at the binnicle to forward, the shift lever on the transmission should move aft approximately 35 degrees from the neutral position. Note that in forward the shift lever at the binnicle will be very close to, or touching, the pedestal guard. When you shift the transmission to reverse at the binnicle, the lever on the transmission should move forward 35 degrees from the neutral position. If this does not happen, the clutch will slip and the transmission will not go into gear properly. This can result in a burned clutch or other transmission damage.
If you are not able to get the proper throw at the transmission, the cable needs to be adjusted.
If you don't have a copy of the Operators manual, send me a PM and I will forward a copy to you. Hope this helps.
Tom & Janis Grover
C36 #0949
SR/WK, M25XP
Midland, ON
It sounds like the shift cable is the best place to start; Steve's suggestion
seems to get right to the point in terms of isolating the problem. I'll give that a try when I get back to the boat. I did post my prop type; "I have a three bladed fixed prop." so prop would not be the issue.
Stu, thanks for providing fluids information. I have no idea when lubricants or filters were last changed; so that is the next area to trackle.
This is my first inboard diesel, so your advice is greatly appreciated! It's great to be able to draw on other's experience. Thanks
Paul Meyers
1986 Catalina 36
Hull #615
Ventura, California
Tom,
I found the Operator's Manual on the website and found the linkage diagrams that you describe. That helps a lot; please ignore the PM that I sent to you.
Paul Meyers
1986 Catalina 36
Hull #615
Ventura, California
I adjusted the shift linkage out and now both forward and reverse engage positively. I appreciate the suggestions that I received which made this an easy fix. My last boat was a Hunter 26 so that the jump up to the Catalina 36 was a big one, with a lot of new systems with which I have have not had previous experience. This site is an incredible resource as are the people who share their expertise. Thanks.
Paul Meyers
1986 Catalina 36
Hull #615
Ventura, California
Paul,
Congratulations, and glad we could help.
Here are two more links for you:
Engine: C34 Tech wiki: [url]http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine[/url]
Critical Upgrades: lostsa engine information [url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.0.html[/url]
Many of our C34 and C36 owners lurk on both websites because of the amazing (but true!) similarities of our boat systems
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)