[C36IA] Fuel Capacity #2164, diesel tank cleanout, and new fuel sending unit

Mon Jun 29 11:25:04 EDT 2009

Bob M,

Does the "fuel bleed" procedures you describe in your e-mail also work on
the Universal 25 in the older C36 MkI?

Wayne

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From: c36list-bounces at c36ia.com [mailto:c36list-bounces at c36ia.com] On Behalf
Of Bob McCullough
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 10:03 AM
To: Catalina 36 Association Mailing List
Subject: Re: [C36IA] Fuel Capacity #2164, diesel tank cleanout, and new fuel
sending unit

Robert:

You may encounter a problem by letting your fuel tank go dry. There usually
sludge in the bottom and you could draw it into the fuel system. If that
happens you will need to clean out the Racor filter as well as the filter
screen in the fuel pump.

As to bleeding the system, no problem. Yes, it is necessary. You just open
the bleed screw on the injector pump and turn on the ignition key. When the
fuel pump starts it will push fuel to the engine. When the fuel starts to
come out of the injector pump shut off the bleed screw and you're good to
go.

Bob M  

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Robert Lohe <mailto:robert.lohe at gmail.com>  

To: Catalina 36 <mailto:c36list at c36ia.com>  Association Mailing List 

Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2009 9:50 PM

Subject: Re: [C36IA] Fuel Capacity #2164, diesel tank cleanout,and new fuel
sending unit

I am working on finding the bottom of my fuel tank with respect to the
gauge.  As best I can calculate now I have 2 gal remaining (at 1 gph, my
worst recorded) and 12 gal remaining (at 0.63 gph, my average across 2
years).  This is with the gauge at just less than 1/8 tank.  I intend to
take it to the gauge reading a solid zero and then refill.  If in the
meantime I actually run out, will I cause any damage to the engine? and also
what are the steps to restart after filling from a 5 gal can I will have
along for this purpose?  Is there special instructions for bleeding etc and
is it necessary?   What is the length of time to do this bleed especially on
the water (not at dockside)?  Any special tools I need?

I have the MkII with Universal M35 engine.

Thanks for the help.

Robert Lohe
Our Diamond
Shady Side, MD.

On 6/26/09, John Van Vessem <jvanvessem at sbcglobal.net> wrote: 

Steven,

The specifications page in the manual has a disclaimer at the bottom which
says:

ALL SPECIFICATONS ARE APPROXIMATE

Note: Specifications and/or equipment subject to change without notice.

John Van Vessem
Sojourn #2295
Vallejo Yacht Club 

  _____  

From: Steven Jones <stevengjones at yahoo.com>
To: Catalina 36 Association Mailing List <c36list at c36ia.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 5:20:05 PM 

Subject: Re: [C36IA] Fuel Capacity #2164, diesel tank cleanout, and new fuel
sending unit

I will look at the manual, but I feel confident it will say 25 gal, however
from memory..... which seems to be exponentially downward sloping lately

Steven Jones 2164 Seal Beach CA
stevengjones at yahoo.com 

  _____  

From: Bill Hague <wfhague at gmail.com>
To: Catalina 36 Association Mailing List <c36list at c36ia.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 3:59:19 PM
Subject: Re: [C36IA] Fuel Capacity #2164, diesel tank cleanout, and new fuel
sending unit

Steve,

We have #1903, which is a 2000. I just checked my owners manual which is
also dated 2000 and it lists fuel capacity as 25 gal.

Why don't you check the manual and if you still have questions call/email
Gerry.

Bill

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Steven Jones <mailto:stevengjones at yahoo.com>  

To: c36list at c36ia.com 

Cc: Steven Jones <mailto:Steven.Jones at paccoast.com>  

Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 5:13 PM

Subject: [C36IA] Fuel Capacity #2164, diesel tank cleanout,and new fuel
sending unit

I had my C36's diesel fuel tank cleaned out today, just as a precautionary
effort after 6 years and 650 engine hours.
Reason: I saw some excessive sludge in the Racor filter recently at the last
change, so to prevent me from the grief of having to change fuel filters out
on an open sea, often rough, and throwing up down there, the easy choice is
to be preventative.  The minimal cost was worth it.

I was surprised to see that refilling the tank took 27.2 gallons.

I was under the assumption that the capacity was 25 gals.  (Comments?)

My boat was made in March-Apr 2003, #2164, had a plastic tank with no
baffles, so it was easy to clean out thru the two available access holes in
the top (sending unit hole, and "goesoutta" hole (Fred J dictionary) with
the valve and fuel line.
Sludge was present, but not excessive.  I watched as the sucked the old fuel
out thru a clear hose, blasted a gallong of diesle back inside with a
flexible metal nozzle, sucked again. They repeated this until the removed
fuel was absoutlely clear. 

Cost was one hour of labor $80, plus the sending unit $55. plus 8 gals of
diesel discarded.

Also, the tank sender unit was replaced with a better unit.  So as we filled
the empty-now-clean tank, I took notes on the level of gals at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4
etc.  This new sending unit was right on!  

FINALLY, I got rid of the lousy Catalina sending unit that so many of us
struggle with, resorting to engine-hours as a means to check fuel level
(which I will not give up on) .

Steven Jones  2164 Seal Beach CA
stevengjones at yahoo.com 

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