Prop Causing Engine To Smoke

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Steve Sayian

I have an M35B on a '99 MKII.  Last year I put on a Kiwi 16" feathering prop with a factory setting of 21 degrees (~11.5").  When the boat was launched the engine lost 600 RPMs and it smoked very bad.  I had a diver go in and reduce the pitch to 18 degrees (~10+").  Engine performance improved but there was still some light grey smoke at the top end.
This year I further reduced the pitch to 17 degrees (~9.5").  Engine RPMs increased a bit (my tach is not at all accurate so revs I achieved are not relevant.  Ordered a laser tach to rectify that problem) and it still smoked light grey smoke at the top end.

Prior to the Kiwi prop I was running the standard 15x9 3-blade Michgan prop and the engine didn't smoke a bit.  Could get 7.1 knots at full throttle.

My transmission is a 1.79:1

My questions are:  1. Does anyone else runnig a Kiwi on an M35B exibit any of these symptoms.
2.  What did your Kiwi props come set with for pitch in degrees?
3.  What diameter Kiwi are you running.

Thanks for the help.

Steve

Steve Sayian
"Ocean Rose"
1999 Mk II
Wing, Std Rig, Kiwi Prop
#1448, Hingham, Mass

Ron Hill

Steve : Catalina recommends that only a 15" diameter prop be used!!   :wink:
Ron, Apache #788

Mike Vaccaro

We're running a 15 inch Kiwi on our M-25.  You're on the right track with the pitch, but you've got some extra area with 16 inch blades.  Provided blade clearance isn't an issue (Ron's correct about factory recommendation for 15 inch diameter).  The Kiwi dealer will likely swap blades with you, or you can continue to back off the pitch.

Best of luck,

Mike
1988 C34 Hull #563
Std Rig / Wing Keel

Steve Sayian

Mike,

I checked my paperwork from the company I bought the prop from and it does say 16".

Going to call them tomorrow and see about getting 15" blades.

Thanks to you and Ron for the feedback.

Steve
Steve Sayian
"Ocean Rose"
1999 Mk II
Wing, Std Rig, Kiwi Prop
#1448, Hingham, Mass