DavidPeckham

Interestingly, the person at Boat Safety Certificate place just quoted the checklist (2.5.3) 'Are fuel tanks, including seams and openings, in good condition and free of signs of leaks?' as the only requirement for an inspection hatch. Cheers

Cheers Alan, will try sourcing something like that. Brian

Comprehensive instruction there! (with some added entertainment along the way...) need time to sit down and go through it. As ever, cheers all!

Hi all, looks like the the only way I'm sure of getting rid of the sticky deposits at the bottom of the tank is to create an inspection hatch. Anyone got any experience/advice on this? I've contacted the BSC people to see if there's any existing specs/regulations. Seems to be more serious than diesel bug and likely related to old fuel and increased biodiesel content causing it to breakdown (as mentioned here a few weeks ago). Either way, cheers for all the help so far!

Cheers all (mines 1997) and thanks, Tony, details in those 'sticky' fuel stories sound very familiar!

Thanks - got some problem with the breakdown of very old/mixed fuel that's caused a problem with the pump and injectors, since replaced the injectors and had other parts cleaned. Person at the injector place is confused as to how all the gunk got through filters and has questioned what might be left in the tank. Worried about getting the same problem in a few months time.

Hi all, found a few posts relating to this from way back on the forum, anyone got any recent experience doing this with a jet wash and wet vac? (is it possible - lot's of tricky angles!) Could anything be added to water to dislodge stubborn deposits on the bottom?? Cheers for any suggestions! Brian

Cheers all, maybe it's the sander I'm using (Terratek) not getting any suction when connected to vacuum (its a bit DIY but no reason why shouldnt work). Will look at the suggestions above!

Hi all, more on this - anyone any views on sanders with dust extraction/vacuum? Tried connecting a standard vacuum to my existing sander, not much success! Cheers

Will ask about 50 Shades of Grey in the paint shop..... Lots to go on there, cheers all!

Will chip a bit off and give it a go! Tony, think you mentioned Johnstones oil-based paints in a post from a few years ago so will have a look at theirs. Using some Craftmaster for other parts, they've got a blue that's a good match. Given up with the red (for the reasons mentioned) just doing my best to keep that in best condition possible! Cheers all! Brian

Hi all, I know it's a bit daft trying to identify paint from a photo but just posting in case it's something standard I'm unaware of - the roof paint in picture is a very bright slate grey with a hint of blue and has fine-grained sand in it. Looking for something similar if nothing else. Cheers for any help! Brian

Great, cheers all, wasn't sure if the grade of ATF mattered.

Hi all, can anyone confirm the ATF needed for this - think it's Dexron II/III but it's all a bit confusing! Cheers for any help

Great, thanks, only just getting to boat today to check. Cheers

Thanks all. Didn't know there were two types of Mansfield traveller!

Hi all, anyone know where I can pick up parts for these? need to replace a hose (and probably other bits once I start looking at it!) not sure if they're discontinued or not. Many thanks, Brian

Cheers, will give extending the flue/chimney a go.

Cheers, can't really tell as I was only topping up for the winter so still mostly red in the tank.

Cheers all, the garage diesel (black pump!) definitely burnt better but there was also very little wind yesterday. Good to know there's no difference between the two (someone in the US said there may be but imagine there's a different set-up there). Can't use kerosene as it's the same tank for the engine. Will give the flue extension a go also. Thanks!

Hi all, I've got a drip/gravity fed diesel heater (Force 10, now called Dickinson) that I've that I've never really got going properly (as compared to YouTube videos) It doesn't get that hot and doesn't burn efficiently (red flame). Yesterday I put some diesel in directly from a road garage and it almost took off! Does anyone know if these heaters have an issue with fuel sold in marinas/fuel boats in the UK? Like everyone else, got quite a big fuel tank so difficult to fill from a roadside garage. Cheers for any help.

Cheers all. Need to sort that then.

Hi all, is it still necessary to keep the diesel tank full if treating with Marine 16 or similar? Always seems odd to me that it's advised to not keep diesel got too long then fill up before stopping for the Winter Cheers, Brian

Can't get to mine for photos but it's a 33ft and has 4 berths in two doubles, both need to be made up and is a real pain even for a few weeks holiday. Maybe you can handle that a bit more than me but a permanent bed is an absolute must have for next boat.

Cheers all, learnt a lot there, should've said, I'm going upriver on the Thames near Reading (typing and steering and making sure my phone doesnt end up going in) but i was only comparing myself with other narrowboats. After getting the app I've found I'm doing around 3.5mph at 1700 and around 4 at 1900/2000. Could be slightly underpowered/propped but will look into that. Will also examine it at high revs when nearer home next week. Thanks again!