oldfordy

Thanks Richard I can check this when I am next at the boat by disconnecting the return line and run it into a container ,if The fuel supply is OK I should get a good flow into the container.# I suspect this is not going to be the problem though as on this engine the fuel is sucked up by the injector pump which has been checked and declared OK. I have double checked the entire fuel line for leaks including a pressure test and there is none, also if I pump the fuel line up using the primer it stays pumped until the engine is cranked and draws fuel. The only doubt you have put in my mind is that being very over cautious and mindfull of marine diesel contamination I fitted two fuel filters in series, it doesnt seem to affect the engine fuel supply at big throttle openings but I suspose it could add a bit of extra fuel flow resistance at low revs.I could try removing one. Thanks Graham

Absolutely, I have had the injector pump tested and the injectors, the filters are new and the diesel is fresh straight into the new tank. Also the engine runs strongly through the entire rev range with no hesitation but as soon as the boat is put into forward or reverse it clatters and shakes on its mounts badly below 1100 rpm. By pushing the control rapidly and accelerating the boat quickly the engine pulls strongly without clatter but it is not making me popular with other boaters. The problem was evident when I first put the boat in the water and at that time had fresh diesel from a normal garage in it. the problem did not change when I completely filled the tank at the Marina.

I have recently completed a long narrowboat fitout(took 13 years) but now I have launched I have one major problem and that is a dreadfull driveline clatter and engine shake at low revs when engaging drive The engine and driveline components were brand new when purchased in 1998. I have listed below observations I have made so far now its in the water. 1)The engine ticks over smoothly at about 900 rpm whilst in nuetral but immediately drive is engaged (forward or reverse) the drive line rattles badly and the engine shakes until the revs build up, Once cruising I can throttle back to about 1100 rpm before the driveline starts to rattle again. At 1100 rpm I estimate the boat is travelling at about 4mph which is OK but as soon as I need to slow down through moorings or in the marina I cant without risking damage to the gearbox and driveline. 2)First thing in the morning when the engine is cold and both alternators are working hard to charge the batteries the clatter is worse and the engine seems to need lots of throttle to cope and get through the clatter rev range. 3)While I clearly need a margin of revs to cope with slowing the boat quickly or coping with river currents most of the time on canals I do not need more than 4 or 5mph. The engine seems to be only spinning over at about 1100 rpm to do this. I have listed below all the components in the drive system in their order of positon in the driveline ,starting at the engine and working back to the prop. 58 foot cruiser stern narrowboat [1)1995 Ford XLD 1800cc normally aspirated diesel engine on four R&D 201 engine mounts and fitted with twin 90 amp alternators. 2)R&D Drive plate part number 22AA19 3)Additional flywheel mass ring. 4)PRM 150 Marine gearbox ratio 2:1 5)R&D? 4"Standard flex coupling. 6)4" Bobbin 7)R&D? 4" Standard flex coupling. 8)4"x1.5 clamp half coupling. 9)Large end thrust bearing 10)Short 1.5"x15"long stainless propshaft. 11)19"x14" 3 blade heavy edge bronze propellor. Can anyone help me solve the vibration problem and also have I been given the best gearbox propellor combination for this engine? as it seems to be doing most of its work at quite low revs.

If I need a declaration of conformity on the bare shell before I can even get a BS examiner to test my boat then I am in difficulties because my shell predates any requirement for the builder(colecraft) to supply one.

This is the first time I have used a discussion forum and I am impressed with the speed of replies. Just to further clarify my situation I bought the shell way back in 1998 from colecraft and at that time even the boat safety scheme was in its infancy. I have built the boat in accordance with the BSS, ventilation, fire safety,fuel supply etc and have generally gone way over the top to ensure I complied. There is no gas as the boat is all diesel and all cabling is generously over specified and protected with RCDs and MCBs. The new Recreational craft directive however has caught me on the hop as it specifies engine emmission standards and noise and on top of that I read somewhere that boat safety examiners are not allowed to issue BSS certificates on new boats. Is this true? P.S One of the replies suggested that there were a multitude of threads on this subject I could look at ,can anyone advise me how I access them? - I'm a bit of a forum beginner. Thanks for the advice so far

I have just finished fitting out a narrowboat shell in my garden. (it took a long time). It seems I now have to certify it against the new RCD (Recreatinal craft directive) or get some form of exemption if I intend to keep the boat for personal use for 5 years. Has anyone done this? or know how I go about it? P.S I have already applied for a craft identification number and stamped this onto the hull. I would appreciate any help as I seem to have 15tons of boat shaped steel in my garden that I cant put in the water.