Black Country Lee

Just blowing the dust off myself here, it looks a comfy foredeck at least lol! I'd rather have a working boat with a caravan on it lol. Lee.

If you're anywhere near me (Dudley No.2 Coombeswood Arm (the old way to Lapal Tunnel)) I've a full tool box, a few chilled beers and enthusiusm

I thought you said grown-ups lol See, you made him all big-headed lol I'm a T-shirt wearing member of that club lol. If there's anything I can do to help you know I'll be here Lee.

Climb a hill lol If I drove I'd head up there Lee.

A feeling I know all to well! Can you post a pic Nigel? If I can help in anyway just shout/pm Lee.

If it is combustion chamber to coolant channel head gasket failure it may be stopping after a short while due to gasses clearing the coolant channel of coolant. The pressure would be enough to keep the channel full of air and not allow the regress of the coolant. You could check this by letting it foam till it settles, switching off for 5 minutes allowing the coolant to settle back into all the cooling system chambers (don't top-up the system at all) and then restarting. If you get a fresh lot of foaming then I think you've found your culprit unfortunately. Lee.

I'll be there, most likely on the C&RT workboat 'Stour'. If you need a runner at the Blowers Green/Delph 9 just shout, I'm only just up the road Lee. Again, more than willing to crew up/run locks if needed Lee.

Is she coming all the way to you Ruthsmate?

£50 with a windlass lol. Lee.

I was merely offering a suggestion on the over-fueling, the stalling could be a myriad of causes. Most likely a diaphragm or actuator in the injector pump although diaphragms don't tend to tick lol Lee.

As a mainly car mechanic my opinion, as is yours, that the black smoke is either over-fueling or under-fueling (weaker mixture). The ticking is often the sign of a sticking injector which, if stuck or sticking open, can cause the over fueling issue. Lee.

Thanks everyone, 5 minutes in the workshop and done! A long reach broken torx bit, a deep 1/4" socket and an old bit driver later and I have... A nice easy 'bodge' until I can sort my big tool box out where I think my genuine anti-vandal key is. At least I stand a chance of getting up the Delph 9 and the bottom lock at Brewers Green now Thanks again folks Lee.

Thanks again Alan. Thanks Robbo, that confirms the 1/4" or 6.35mm theory of Alans, I'll go have a play in the workshop then Lee.

Thanks Alan, I've had some very tight attempts with mine, luckily I'll be on the Dudley No.2 and these are fairly forgiving. Problem is I've got move a boat for someone this afternoon, he doesn't have one and I can't find mine so I was going to make me a spare one lol. Any idea on a rough dimension for the square itself? Lee.

Just a quick question, can anyone measure the size of the square hole in the end of the key for me please? Thanks in advance. Lee.

Such a pity, I have a real soft spot for the H&W town class boats. Lee.

Yes, you'll only need a couple of psi, 5 at the most, to show up any leaks. Lee.

In my years mechanicing (is that a word??) I've often found the easiest way of checking for cooling system leaks is a cold pressure test. A spare expansion tank cap drilled out with a standard tyre valve fitted, apply a tiny amount of pressure (I use 2 pumps on a bicycle hand pump) and any leaks will become very obvious. HTH. Lee.

Easiest solution that springs to my mind is, with 2 half doors and a sliding hatch, is to have the door with the lock close over the non-lock door, the hatch drop over the top and this sort of mortice lock to hold all 3 in place... lee.

He did lol, well a link at least

Been off the grid for a week or so but back now. Had a busy but enjoyable day on the C&RT work boat 'Stour' stripping brambles, weeds and litter from around some of the narrow bridges on the Dudley no.s 1 & 2 canals plus a bit of floating litter picking... I'm off up to Tipton to do it again a fortnight Saturday. Lee.

Reminds me of my very first job Dave, I worked on the demolision of Round Oak. I wish I hadn't though now we're stuck with Merry Hell lol. The 4th pic is definately the delph run from the top lock looking down the flight towards Stourbridge. I used to play down there as a child lol. Lee.

I've restored many vintage cars and swear by Milkstone Remover (basically Jenolite but a cheaper, bulk buy at a fifth of the price) rust treatment. I recommend getting all loose flakes away first though. Lee.

I've always used white lithium grease with no problems. Lee.

You must have long arms to ommer those in lol. Lee.