Dan Simon

Hey - yes it is one of those horrible strainers. Has to be on right tight otherwise it doesn't work properly - any recommendations for a replacement gratefully received. Just topped up the heat exchanger with an antifreeze solution - hopefully that's the fix. Cheers.

I'm a liveaboard cc'er year-round in London. Winters have been pretty mild! Checked the alternator belt tension Tony - can confirm it is in good nick and does seems well tensioned.

THanks Simon, the engine has been performing well in winter - I can't honestly believe I've been overlooking the coolant the last two years. Got to do a BMC course

just to be clear - this device left of the sump is where the coolant goes right? it's dry which might be the issue... https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Rsew-HkVo4bjB4a0hhUWlPZU0/view?usp=sharing

On it. Thanks so much.

Thanks all so much - such helpful advice. Here are some pix and Tony I'll run through the list. When the engine reaches 80+ degrees it might be worth mentioning that it start to smoke a bit and I've taken off cover panels when cruising to vent. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Rsew-HkVo4a3BRN2VRcHQxV0k/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Rsew-HkVo4VVdnWXdyU3dUSGs/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Rsew-HkVo4NmJrNVhZQnhOT0E/view?usp=sharing ...and the gauge is 50 to 110c not to 150.

Thanks guys I'll get some pix up tomorrow. The water comes in, passes through a filter to impeller, is circulated around the engine and then expelled - I'm not exactly sure what water system this is called, but will provide images. The thermostat thing is bothering me because since owning the boat, the thermostat rarely budges above 50 degrees, unless really worked. The gauge is 50-150 degrees. If I continue cruising, it gradually gets hotter past 90 degrees until I have to turn the engine off to cool. More tomorrow, cheers again

Hi - sorry if this is an oft repeated question, couldn't find an answer relating specifically to my problem. I have a steel narrowboat with a BMC 1.5 raw water cooled system. I think the thing on the side of the sump is a heat exchanger. My engine has been overheating - rising quickly to 80 degrees celc and hovering around that mark while cruising. The water appears to be pumping around the system fine, I can't detect any issue with the head gasket, so am assuming that there's air in the system. I've heard popping the lid off the heat exchanger and running the engine is one solution - do any of you knowledgeable people have any tips? Thanks!

Thanks all The alternator light is meant to go out when revving... Sounds like this could be a battery problem, power has been dropping quicker and quicker of late. Will try the dummy bulb solution old goat... Thanks a mil :-)

Hi there Having an issue with our alternator and was wondering if someone knowledgeable could help. Starting up our BMC, it usually takes a small rev to kick in the alternator and send power to our batteries. Lately - no matter how much rev I give, the alternator is simply not kicking in. I've checked the cables, they are all fine; there is plenty of tension in the belt and it appears fine running; I've checked the batteries and the connections from there too. My neighbour is having exactly the same problem unusually. Any ideas? Thanks.

So in the case of the ebay toilet, a bag of crap and sawdust is still a bag of crap and sawdust? I kinda thought it magically became premium-grade soil over-night. So if I intend to grow an award winning turnip from the proceeds of the ebay-loo I may as well crap on the plant. Bugger. Will def follow up your suggestion. Until I get the microbes et al, what is the best, legal way to dispose of said sawdust? I'm guessing you can't just tie the bag up and plop it by a bin.

Hey! We're giving serious consideration to getting a composting toilet. As waste is accumulated in a heavy duty bin liner full of sawdust it seems a lot less fuss and mess than a cassette toilet, you get about three times the capacity and the dimensions are more accommodating. Does anyone have any experience with one? There's a good looking one here as an example but it's not particularly cheap: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/321240155325?lpid=83&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=83&ff19=0 I'm curious as to what to do with the waste, are there any legal restrictions on how and where you dispose of it - has anyone tried donating to allotments/city farms etc? Cheers

Jesus, still on here rattling yer chains eh? Poor bugger. I'll leave you to it.

Last I heard, you were leaving me to it! There’s plenty of people out there, as I’ve discovered thanks to this forum, who consider the fee a good one, without worrying if every little bolt is there, if there’s paid breaks, or whether I’m an experienced DIYer myself, etc etc. You’ve made the point that you are very qualified and I’m glad you have a forum for your opinions, but read a little less into a post which is simply looking for a bit of help rather than a full on employee/employer and all the frills gig. I've got what I came for, thanks everyone for replying.

Thanks Paul - I think getting a specialist involved for the gas is a good idea.