Troubleshooting Engine Problems | Engine Won't Start | Replacing the Solenoid | Universal diesel M25

In this video we troubleshoot engine problems for the inboard Universal M25 Diesel engine in our Catalina 30 sailboat. In our case, we could hear the starter button click, but the engine would not turn over. We show you how we check the voltage of the starter battery and solenoid using a multimeter to determine that the solenoid was faulty. We unhooked the solenoid from the starter battery and replaced it with a new solenoid. Some of the nuts were stripped so we also had to replace the rings on the wire ends. In the end, the engine fired up better than ever before!
If you enjoyed this video and want to support us directly, you can receive access to our episodes Ad-Free, our chat community, behind the scene updates and more at / bluemoonlife
These videos are made possible by the generosity of viewers like you and we want to thank you so much for being here!
If you are new to the channel, Blue Moon is a 1978 Catalina 30 sailing vessel which we acquired in 2020. One year later we decided it was time for a road trip and built out a 1998 Delica to drive across the country. Now we live aboard the boat full-time, take weekend trips in the van, and explore this beautiful world.
Thanks for watching!
J+G
Patreon Community!
Moneysuckle
Ed Mcormick
Eric Smith
Josh Klar
Paul H and Linda L
Tom & Siiri
Dave Hines
Eiso
Jamie
Jim M
Joseph DiMarino
Jesse Milam
King David
Michael Bingham
Paul Beadle
Scot Yount
Sean Perry
Simon Law
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
patreon - / bluemoonlife
Instagram - / bluemoonlife_
paypal - paypal.me/blue...
We use royalty-free music from Epidemic Sound. Sign up with our link to get 10% off your first 12 months PLUS the first 30 days are free!
www.epidemicso...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[@abtechgroup]

With a solenoid, you can always jumper across the solenoid and see if that completes the circuit to start - save a lot of work if the solenoid isn't the problem. That is also an emergency start procedure. Good video!

[@ongwhehonwhe]

success at the first shot is the best feeling . . . . . yeaaaeeehhh . . . .

[@Escapetosea]

Wow, great job. I’m a 51 year old dude who’s been wrenching forever. I still found your video very concise , informative, and interesting. Keep it up!

[@fiefvanrossem227]

- 🇨🇦 Woot Woot - nothing better than having success 🙌

[@stephenphelps9916]

Hi Guy's, Greetings from Scend Serendipity now safely moored for the winter in Messolonghi Marina in Greece. I've started to catch up on your videos and had to comment on this one. I really smiled at your reaction to fixing your engine. It is always rewarding when the technical issues can be overcome using your own initiative and developing your skills along the way. These things I know from my own experiences. It gives you the confidence going forward to "come out on top, without panicking. when the doo doo hits the fan" as it invariably does when you least expect it. You Guy's work well together and I think compliment each other. Stay strong. Stay safe. Find space apart when you need it as it can be so so hard at times living together on a boat. But these small victories make it all worthwhile in the long run. I am sure if you had to you could manage an engine top overhaul if the situation arose without the air turning blue. Very best wishes, Steve.

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

Good job. Building those skill will be a big help in the future and build your confidences in knowing you can probably figure it out.

[@steveanacorteswa3979]

Great job! In the future you can take a wire or jumper cable and go from big red on 1 side to big red on the other side, we used to use the handle on a only pair of combo pliers to jump it, if that works the solenoid is good. Also get some dielectric grease and a bronze/brass wire brush, when you pull off an old connector, give it a brush and put some grease before reattaching. The brass brush won't leave any steel that can rust. Also get some shrink tubing, slide it on before you put on the new connector, then heat it with a heat gun or lighter, it will slow down the corrosion.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks for the suggestions! We'll keep these in mind for suture projects :D and for trouble shooting future engine issues!

[@bobbates7343]

That was very good basic trouble shooting. Glad you do not have a new engine with electronics all over the place .

[@NM-zh6uv]

sooo funny. i have the same engine on my pearson vanguard. in the past wrestling with sailboat engines there is such exuberance when it finally kicks over.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha you are so right! Such an amazing feeling!

[@marklapierre5629]

Gillian is my hero. If she can't fix it, no one can.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks Mark :D

[@IEnigIMa]

Your joy is contagious. I think I am more impressed with your freehand illustration 😁😁. I think you are one of the few that can draw a perfect circle. Seriously!! Everything on a boat takes twice as long to fix. You guys did 👍. 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@BlueMoonLife]

I'm glad the illustration helped! I have to admit I had a practice round with tracing a circle to make it easier :D Haha it certainly does!

[@keithrowell8895]

It's refreshing to see young people getting into things and fixing it them selves. Most young people I've been around can't even change a tire on there car.ir check the oil. Proud of you 2.good job.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks Keith :D

[@keithrowell8895]

@@BlueMoonLife. Your welcome

[@ToddCiehomski]

Thanks boomer

[@keithfaulkner3726]

Wonderful DIY video. Informative, however, I think the best part was when the engine turned over. Mission complete !

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha thank you! We're glad It was informative, and were so relieved when it started!!

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

Good troubleshooting! Good explanation. Good tips. PLUS you are one of the prettiest sailors! Thank you for this one. I have been following you lately. Hopefully your channel will grow.

[@jamieyz]

Great information for more than just boaters there! Starter solenoids seem to all be pretty much the same, cars, trucks, tractors, boats etc.

[@BlueMoonLife]

I'm glad it could be used more broadly! This experience taught us a lot, having not know much about solenoids before :D

[@maryannpenner9286]

Awesome! I share your excitement! I had a full on SMILE!!!!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha thank you!! It felt so good to get going!

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

Great troubleshooting skills. You two are simply amazing together. And I’m sure on your own you’re both just as amazing.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you so much :D

[@tomv2302]

Congratulations Sherlock, great detective work. Hats off for not losing your cool working in a tights space. Your patience and persistance paid off. Great confidence building project. Love your enthusiasm with your success.

[@Kathleensailorgirl]

So excited for you, great team work ⛵️⛵️⛵️💕💕💕

[@DaveHines1]

It’s good to see you overcoming these technical issues , the more success you have , the more confidence you will have going forwards 😃🍻🥂

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks Dave! It is such a fantastic learning experience for us and we are starting to get a much better understanding of how the engine works!

[@scable-eq7bp]

Cool video guys, great fix on the solenoid....

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you!

[@MCallsen]

Wow, the sheer joy and jumpiness when the engine fired up :D Fun to watch and congratz U 2! (edit - I realized the neat boxes came after this spare parts adventure in the sideboard/locker)

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha yes we fixed the engine during the week that we filmed the last video! It would have been nice to have that organization done before it!

[@MikeB-gf6dj]

Good for you Gillian. It's so cool to see you getting in there and getting your hands dirty, explaining everything as you did it - but from you I'd not expect anything less :) . I've a suggestion for you, which is relatively inexpensive and could free up another set of hands that holds a torch. There are these really neat products which are small LED Lights which you wear on your head with an adjustable comfortable elastic head strap. Handy for in all sorts of applications, from changing car tyres in the dark on the side of the road to looking down into engine bays and dark cavities hands free. I'm sure that you both could find any number of other applications for one each, in the glove-box of the car and on the boat. You should be able to find them at Home Depot type stores or Camping Supply places. I've 3 or 4 scattered around the place in handy locations. Another suggestion I might make if I may. Next winter and every winter going forward, I'd suggest regularly every few weeks turning your engine over, it sits in a cold place under the waterline and unused for any period of time they do tend to become a bit of a problem like that, Regular use if only to run it for 10 minutes to get it warm every 3-4 weeks when not in regular use does it the world of good. Am looking forward to seeing Blue Moon and you back out on the water soon. :) Cheers from NZ ! M.

[@BlueMoonLife]

That's a good idea to get a headlamp for the boat! We have one floating around the van, but for some reason we never thought of using it for engine work haha. Thank you for the suggestions :D We will make sure we get on a good schedule for regularly starting up the engine next winter for sure!!

[@svapollo6264]

Great Job !! Please buy another one.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you! We will get another spare for sure :D We didn't realize it was such a common issue!

[@tommycheshire5508]

I am impressed to say the least! That was fabulous and I am once again impressed with you. Those switches are a common crap out item with Universal engines. I had one that was intermittent, sold the boat before I replaced. Get another one and put it back in the “storage” unit. By the way, our engine was under the steps, yours is in a good place to work on it. You are lucky.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks Tommy! Good to know that they are a common problem, we'll make sure to get another one :D Interesting you engine is under the steps! I can imagine that would be difficult to get at

[@vrangarajan605]

Well done !! Congratulations !!!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you!!

[@ericjnelson6442]

Took care of a 1982 Cat 30. It’s fun to watch you do all the stuff I had to do too

[@BlueMoonLife]

Wow, cool that you did these things too :D It can feel like a lot of work sometimes, but is so rewarding!

[@btrent9244]

Outstanding diagnostics and repair. Congratulations. Ahh, the feeling of freedom in your expression is contagious. Blessings for safe sailing 👍🇺🇸🤗...

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you so much :D

[@charlesmurschell3110]

Good job diagnosing and repair. I could tell you were happy when she started. Congrats!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks Charles! It was such a great feeling to get the engine going!

[@sterling19]

Good job!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks Sterling! :D

[@nutsandbolts432]

Great job explaining something that you claim not to be an expert on.

[@EricSmith-lf6cz]

A big step in your boat troubleshooting. Great job guys!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks Eric!

[@_Willem_]

Well done Gillian ❤hard on your way to become a sailor with trouble shooting skills o_~ btw. cool videos to watch guys.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks you!!

[@filiproets3618]

Nice job. Girl power

[@TheMonkeyrock77]

I just got my pick-up running after dropping it over covid. I'm having trouble putting a fan belt on because it's the center belt and the first belt won't come off. Good job on getting yours running.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks! Glad to hear you got your pick-up running! Hopefully the belt goes okay, I can imagine that would be a finicky job!

[@TheMonkeyrock77]

@@BlueMoonLife No I still haven't gotten the front belt off and I'm not sure how to get it off.

[@johndavidson6867]

Well done. A solenoid is really just a magnetically operated switch, and the internal contacts actually get burnt not corroded, I have had to take the solenoid on my truck apart several times to clean the contacts up. It is a good idea to carry a spare, smart girl. Looking to see you out on the water.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks for the info John! That makes sense that it would be burned :D

[@klardotsh]

oh hey! congrats on it working! only real note I have is to make those new ends "marine grade" (really just: water tight) - usually the ring terminals come in a normal crimp-only form for land use (which it looks like you have here?) and a "marine" form that you can heat-shrink down to seal up. not totally sure but you might be able to just add heat-shrink to the ends you just put on to accomplish a similar-enough effect - probably talk to a real electrician about that one tho and not me 😂

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey Josh! Thanks for that! We'll definitely try to waterproof them better, I think you've got an excellent point :D And thank you! It felt so good to get it running haha!

[@sailingeden9866]

Good video.

[@Mike-bb1li]

Good Job!!

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks!

[@38below39]

Good job ......

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thank you!

[@enriquelaroche5370]

2 tricks or tips. 1 imagine you are at anchor and you wake up and realize you have left some load on all night and your battery is too low to start. or your solenoid failed . You still need to start. 1: turn off all loads , open your compression release lever. try to start. in many cases your battery will have enough to turn the motor with no compression, once it's spinning you can close the compression release and there is a very good chance it will start. 2: the two fat terminals on the solenoid are the contacts that close and send power to the starter. with a thick piece of wire you can connect one to the other(momentarily) and this will bypass the solenoid and turn the starter motor. ( I have used both of these tips in real situations)

[@BlueMoonLife]

Hey, thanks for the tips! Those will be really good to know if we find ourselves in that position!

[@danielpearson6306]

You can use a jumper wire from battery side of solenoid to starter side. These are the large posts. Do not bolt them on. If you have alligator clips use them. This will isolate the solenoid from the system and the engine should turn over. If doesn't the the starter maybe locked up. Warning a 12 volt does not shock you as a 120v or 240v house current but will burn you badly and sparks will fly. You did great switching of battery and remove battery cable at battery. The solenoid is just an electric magnet that closes the current from battery to the starter. Jumping across the the battery side to the starter side manually does the same. You do not have the glow plug side on it. If caught out and this happens just jump across the solenoid. Glad you had a new solenoid. Need to purchase a another one. It has been real cool here in Washington Okanogan Valley about 100km south of Canada. Going to Portland Maine to check on a IP 370 and most likely purchase. Cheaper than houses here which run 400000$ then have shipped to Port Townsend. Shipped on a ship and will go there to Vancouver. Enjoy your first sail this season.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks for the information! Wow that's exciting about the IP 370! Hopefully that works out for you :D

[@sailingcardinalpoints]

I've been having a similar problem - great to see that replacing the solenoid did the trick. Far better than having to install a new starter. Where did you get your replacement solenoid? Great video!

[@MrSerraangel]

Jobs always seem easy and then ......... Stripped nut/bolt. never fails. lol

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha you can say that again!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

If you get stripped nuts or studs ...use a pair of snips to lift the nut while you turn it ... normally thats enough to get it to re engage and unscrew.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Thanks Clive! We'll try that next time :D we tried with a pari of pliers but couldn't get a good grip on it. Next time we'll try to have the right tools!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@BlueMoonLife Its not so much gripping it as lifting it up...to pull it away.. Mole grips can help if you can get them on and to bite well. The other small tools you can add to your tool box are a set of nut splitters.😬😂. though a lot of people use an angle grinder or dremmel type tool depending on size and space.. the splitters are safer and purely mechanical.

[@bryanbsa8094]

Didn't you just clean and organize that very cubby like 7 days ago? (Daily Routines of Boat Life) 😊🤨 Wow, you really should have clean up the terminals before you reinstalled it. Abit of sandpaper or scotch brite and lots of elbow grease.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Yes! We actually fixed the engine in the middle of filming the Daily Routines video :D Although I wish I had organized the cubby before fixing the engine because it would have been much easier to find things haha! Good to know, thanks :D

[@enriquelaroche5370]

I have a Universal 5432

[@enriquelaroche5370]

12 volts doesn't shock you. but arcs can burn

[@BlueMoonLife]

Interesting, thanks!

[@Stephan_01]

♥️♥️🥰🥰

[@itsmePassportBro]

You have to press ignition and others person hit solenoid with a hammer. Easy start.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Good to know if we are ever stuck out in the water with a faulty solenoid!

[@Lucky-Lucy330]

I have to say I enjoy you guys a lot and never miss a vid But to be honest if Gillian were not around I don’t think Jonas would know how to wipe his own ass without you. I am sorry but Jonas what do you do?

[@enriquelaroche5370]

You can test a solenoid by bridging the contacts.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Good to know, thanks!

[@niknack666]

oooooooooooof glad it wasn't the batteries

[@BlueMoonLife]

Haha us too!

[@aquious953]

Hahaha

[@enriquelaroche5370]

A battery can have good voltage with no current . No your battery is likely bad.

[@BlueMoonLife]

Interesting, that's good to know. It's fairly new so we hope it is still okay but will keep that in mind for future issues!

[@seanmurphy1348]

Your acutie

[@trippontwowheels]

Stinky ol’ engine anyway!!

[@maemae7426]

And all you needed to do was to change the wires??😂😂

[@arthurme1911]

He doesn’t seem to be interested In being in the video or fixing anything