Boat Won't Start

HI all,
I have recently bought a 1993 Catalina 28 mk2 in good conditions.
It always has been hard to start.
The ignition switch has had to be on for 15 to 20 seconds before the engine will start.
Last week I replaced the battery and I am pretty confident the problem is not electrical.
I am getting the engine to turnover but it will not start.
What do I check next?
Do I have enough fuel, yes
Do I have a blockage? in the fuel line?
Have my glow plugs died? Where could I source new ones
Do you have any other ideas?
What else can I check?

Thanks mate,I will let you know how it goes

Yes I will go looking for a blockage and let you know what I find.
My two apprentices are the head engineer at aerobus and the CEO of a major bike distributor in Australia.
I am planning to do this on Sunday.

Repco love people using aero start on Diesel engine as it gives them more rebuilds. Use aero start sparingly. It really sounds like your engine has low compression (worn out) Starting will be more of a problem in cold weather (at first). Does it blow much black smoke when in use or did it).

Yes it did start ok when the engine warmed up

I used to use a squirt of two stroke oil or engine oil into the intake to get mine running from cold when it refused to start . Not much just one squirt from an oil can it seals the rings up if they are worn . I don't know if that's an acceptable method or not but it worked for me . And I have it on board . If it runs and starts ok from hot it's probably a compression issue .

catalina30.com/TechLib/Engines/History%20of%20the%20Universal%20Motor%20Company%204.htm

Owners manual below for the 3 M 20 you may have some thing else

l-36.com/read_pdf.php?file=manuals11/200157_M12-M50_Operator_Man.pdf&title=Universal+Diesel++M3+20+++++Operator%27s+Manual


www.nordicaboats.com/html/m3-20-news.html < some motor illustrations

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Crusoe said..
Repco love people using aero start on Diesel engine as it gives them more rebuilds. Use aero start sparingly. It really sounds like your engine has low compression (worn out) Starting will be more of a problem in cold weather (at first). Does it blow much black smoke when in use or did it).

I can recall one old bloke where I was working in a Gold mine tried to start large V 16 cat engine which used a capsule of ether to power her up he didn't' do it right so he put another capsule in and blew one of the heads off he was the most dangerous man Ive every work near.
With his help I ended up with 15 stitches in my skull. a real idiot.
My first day in that work shop two mini mokes drove past the work shop and they both didn't have brakes one had a anvil which was attached to a rope for brake the other a rock ands rope that was my first job there

If it was mine and it has glow plugs I would check continuity through them with a multimeter

Regards Don

Sounds like the boats completely stuffed....I'd give you a small sum to take it off your hands, save the tip fees

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twodogs1969 said..
I am having similar problems with my 2003 Volvo after two opinions it is time for a rebuild or replacement so i am about to purchase a new motor.

We had a 2002 series Volvo on a former yacht and yours will be the same type of motor, except with another cylinder tacked on.

Assuming you have a cable control to stop the engine, then try this for cold starting.
'Pump' the control up and down say 6 times and see if it makes a difference.

Mine is burning oil and has some oil in the air intake.
Not bad for a boat that was surveyed before purchase at easter and was told all was good thats allong with being told the fridge worked fine only to need a new compressor no mention of any thing wrong with the skin fittings only to find 3 out of 5 above water ones broken. If anyone wants to message me I can tell them one on sydney harbour to stay away from.

Hi binder about, black/blue smoke when first started can be normal as the engine gets rid of unburnt oil and diesel but if it continues after the motor has been running and loaded them it could indicate too much wear on the cylinders.

A normal water cooled exhaust shoul have white (steam/mist) coming out the exhaust. Too much white would indicate lack of cooling water hence lots of steam. I have also heard that one of the by-products of burnt diesel is water vapour.

One major problem for the poor marine diesel is boat owners running them unloaded to charge batteries. The load the alternator is not enough to pressures the piston rings so they expand onto the bore. This results in glazing of the bore. This is permernant damage.

If you charge your batteries this way always put the gear box on reverse of anchored up or take the boat for a run.

Sorry bundeenaboy, it doesn't sound good for good for your engine and no easy fix

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samsturdy said..


Why does Aerostart adversely affect diesel engines so much.????

The high compression of a diesel combined with the explosive detonation of the ether in Aerostart causes components to fail eg. piston rings. Over time this makes the engine harder still to start, causing you to rely more and more on the Aerostart till eventually you come to the conclusion that the engine is "addicted".

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southace said..
My Perkins takes about 15 seconds to fire .....I have researched what I could as im not sure if it has glow plugs (I should check the engine)!

But basicly I have put it down to the fuel being midships below the waterline at approx 7 meters away it takes that long to get the pressure up....once it's running it's a stallion.

What model Perkins, Southace? My Perkins 4108 has three positions on the ignition key. The first click shows the red light ignition on, turned and held to the next position warms the glow plugs, usually 10 - 15 seconds, then the next position engages the starter motor and she fires up after a few turns.

Looks like it has glowplugs southace.
www.parts4engines.com/perkins-prima-m80t-glowplug-set/?page_context=category&faceted_search=0

........and the button next to the key on the panel looks like it either lights when the glow plugs are on or it needs a push to heat the plugs?