Richard Martin

Just an update on my engine. We have found the source of the smioke - the fan belt !! It had a 50mm slot missing on the inner face, only the perimeter was remaining. It seems that this was causing the alternator and water pump to slip so the engine was not being loaded. Once we fitted a new fan belt the smoke was gone except at tick over when there was a small amount of smoke, but I can live with that. If I did not see it with my own eyes I would not have belivieved it.

I refitted the exhaust yesterday with a small amount of heat resistant silicone as suggested and seems to be ok, did not run engine very long. Hope to go out at the weekend so we will find out then. Where do you get Copperslip grease from, never heard of it

Our exhaust fell apart over the weekend, well the threaded connector actually, lots of smoke when we opened the hatch. I have today screwed it all backtogether without any problem but when I started the engine there was some smoke getting out still. Should I put some exhaust paste on the threads or not, if not what should I use to gain the gas tight seal.

Tested the fan belt last night and the tension is ok does not seem to be the problem. Cannot check the battery level as I (stupid idiot) left my test gauge on last time I used it and the battery on that is flat. There is a white lead which is not connected to anything but not sure if it should be, no obvious places for it to connect, if this was the case the rev counter would not function anyway

Many thanks for the replies. I will check out the tension at the weekend.

Our rev counter connected to a Shire 1200 diesel engine has suddenly started giving incorrect values. We used to cruise along at about 1100-1200 rpm now the same speed reads about 500rpm. Any suggestions as to what is wrong, could it be a faulty connection at the engine (not sure where that would be) or is the unit on it's way out. Any suggestions gratefully received.

We had an Aqua-drive fitted recently and once the soft mounts were fitted (bad advice given to my fitter) the vibrartion is almost non existant, if you are having a new boat you would be mad not to fit one in my opinion. But please make sure who ever is fitting the unit knows what they are doing, the instructions from Aqua-Drive direct is poor. In the end TW Marine got us out of the ...... and gave great advice on the correct soft mounts and they also provide a comprehesive instruction manual.

I have their 1000Ti and it works well, I got mine from www.greenreeper.com who are very helpful and sorted out an initial problem with a spark plug straight away. They even called me when I left a message unheard of from a internet sales company.

You may laugh but that is exactly what a hire boat did on the K&A last week, closing a fair stretch of the canal for a couple of days.

Cheers Usefull info.

Many thanks, I like the sound of Saltford Lock

Have now got the latest version and yes not only does it go to the Severn but at long last the pages turn the correct way, ie. they have routed from the west to the east. Main reason for the post is to ask another favour, where are the short term (24/48hr) moorings in Bath, I know there are some in Bathampton the that side of Bath, are there any in the centre / Bristol side. Many thanks Richard

That's just in Bath somewhere. Have been out on the cut tonight and local theory is a boat which was leaving top and bottom paddles open draining the pounds, also heard that there was a problem with the pumps at crofton after the storm's at the weekend.

We have just had twp emails from BW which effectlively closes the K&A from lock 15 to 60 until later this week assuming they can get the water levels right again. Thats about 25 miles at least, any one know why !

Yes mine does too, it was the river bit into Bristol below Hanham lock I am looking for.