BeckyJC

Going to have another go at it this weekend, having had a bit of a break due to weather. Not sure how to do timing myself (I'm no mechanic), so I reckon my first target will be electrics and also removing the alternator belt in case that's causing unnecessary load. This time lucky! B

Hi All, Thanks for all the tips and advice - keep your ideas coming! Friendly lorry mechanic has offered to check out the timing, and I also want to redo the electrical connections as some of them look a bit rusty. Hoping to have another go this weekend if it's not snowing....but the forecast doesn't look good. I haven't left you all, please keep your ideas flowing if you have any more. Fingers crossed, B

Hi All, I'm having a bit of a nightmare with my boat at the moment, and cannot get her started for love nor money (and I'm rapidly running out of both). Brief rundown: Isuzu 3kc1 3 cylinder engine Problem 1: Alternator mounting bracket snapped, causing her not to charge Problem 2: Hole in coolant pipe to engine, caused by alternator blades cutting through it Problem 3: All of above was fixed, engine wouldn't restart. Starter motor tried to turn her over more slowly than normal. Brother (who does quite a bit of work on cars, used to be mechanic) came to troubleshoot engine issue, spent LONG time trying to get her to go, wouldn't even fire on easy start. Deduced head gasket gone. Stripped the head, took it to be pressure tested and reconditioned. Was confirmed that head gasket had gone between piston 2 and 3, presumably as a result of boat losing coolant and overheating when it last ran. Head gasket was also replaced. So, facts: Ran OK before all this Definitely got fuel (in tank, and at injectors) Won't fire on easy start (so unlikely to be fuel problem??) Tried jumping batteries to brother's car, in case my battery was dead, no luck. Glow plugs heating as expected (bro tested them) Any ideas what I should be trying next please? Got a few people who are more mechanical than I and willing to help, but need to know where we should be looking next! Cheers, B

Hi All, Thanks for all the offers (and to Steelaway for coming to help). We've FINALLY got the pipe on, but now have an even bigger issue - the engine won't start. It has never failed me before (except when the batteries were flat), but is now refusing to fire. Pete the Boat Doctor tried for AGES yesterday, but no luck. We're currently working to get starter batteries charged back up, then going to give it another shot. The engine is all clogged up, presumably not helped by repeatedly starting/stopping the engine when troubleshooting the other recent issues, or the fact that we were working in sub-zero temperatures yesterday. Anyone got any tips for making her fire? I refuse to accept just yet that my engine is dead! B

Hi All, Is anyone able to recommend someone to replace a coolant pipe on my boat in Sheffield ASAP please? I have the replacement pipe, but cannot get it connected for love nor money (it's in a tricky place to get to, and I'm no mechanic) and have now reached the point that I am willing to pay someone to sort it out and get me back up and running. My boyfriend has had a go, but he can't get the replacement pipe on. It might be something that a pro would use a special tool or something for, I'm not sure. Is there anyone closer to Sheffield than Thorne boat services who might be able to fix it for me? Obviously I can't move the boat until it's fixed, so it would have to be a call-out. Thanks, Becky

Hi All, Thanks for all the suggestions. Further investigation this weekend has revealed a damaged alternator mounting bracket, causing the alternator to bounce around and short out on it's surroundings (hence the sparks...). It took a while to spot, as my alternator is mounted in a hard-to-get-to and hard-to-see place. Sooooo I'm now trying to find out about mounting brackets. And how to replace them. And where to get one! So far online I have discovered (I think) that it is a dual-footed alternator with some sort of expanding bolt in the centre that its freely moving (but doesn't look like it should be!). I will try and get pictures in the morning. Any ideas? Thanks again, Becky

Hmmm OK....cheers for the info. Not the news I wanted, but helpful all the same I have been told in the past that my alternator is on the small side for my battery bank anyway, so maybe I should cut my losses and replace the alternator altogether for a bigger one? Will research. Any idea how I can find out what alternators fit my engine? Thanks., Becky

Hi, Cheers for the reply. I have NO knowledge of what alternator I have, sadly. There are no markings / branding on it, but it has a bracket which obviously once connected it to something other than my boat, so I suspect it's not the one that was originally intended for my engine. Not much help I guess. My engine is an Isuzu 3 cylinder. This could be a fun one to solve I fear Know any decent boat electricians in Sheffield, anyone? Becky

Hi All, Apologies in advance for my total lack of knowledge about boat mechanics, but..... My batteries aren't charging properly, and I'm trying to figure out why. Cruising recently I had an issue where they weren't charging at all, and the engineer who came out to rescue me discovered a connecting wire that had come away from the alternator, and reconnected it. Afterwards, the batteries were charging fine for a few days (13-13.5 volts), then the "charging" voltage since has been around 12-12.5 volts. Without the engine running, my multimeter reads only about 11.6 - ick! Normally, when I start the engine, the charge light comes on, and I have to rev the engine to kick-start the charging and make the light go out. Now, when I start the engine, the charge light flickers (whereas it was on constantly before) until I rev the engine, then it goes off as normal. The alternator does still seem to put some power out - I tried putting the boat in gear, as fast as it would go, and the voltage readout went up to about 12.6 volts - still charging a bit, but not as it should be. Also, I spotted a (tiny, but rather worrying and reoccurring) spark on the alternator itself (not on the connections). I do have an adverc, but believe that even if this was faulty/dead the batteries should still charge from the alternator? My ideas so far are: Loose connection somewhere (nothing glaringly obvious, should I get the WD40 out and clean all the connections?) Dodgy alternator Find someone I can pay to come and sort it out, as electrics are kinda important and the spark has put me off running the engine until I get it sorted Any ideas / pointers greatly appreciated, as I'm currently sitting in the dark to conserve power! Thanks, Becky

Confirmed! I eventually made it down the Soar, onto the Trent, and had to wait for the BW guys to clear all the debris that had built up in Beeston lock (tonnes of it), but it's all now back open. Becky

Made it down to Sileby now...water at Cossington was on the red/amber line, but still as a mill pond so we went for it. Lovely cruise down, but the water at Sileby is maybe 0.5 to 1 inch in the red still. So close now, and it's a lovely morning with clear sky and sunshine, so I can't imagine we will be here too much longer now. Becky

Just a quick update here: I have just managed to get down to Cossington lock (45) now, but the water is still 4 inches into the red here, so am moored up waiting again. One boat has been here since Sunday. BW are being very helpful, coming to check that everyone is OK and doesn't need water etc (they even took our rubbish away(!), but - I wouldn't recommend heading in this direction just yet. They are currently predicting that the water should be down by tomorrow morning unless it rains more between now and then. A (hire/timeshare) boat that passed me on Sunday ignored BW's warnings around the high water and dangerous currents and proceeded anyway - he then ended up calling the fire brigade(!) as he got wedged in a hedge and stuck. Recommend keeping away as it's really windy here too - I'm certainly not attempting it today. Becky

Hi all, I am currently sitting in Birstall (and have been since yesterday) waiting for the water to drop to a safe level. Thurmaston lock (46) downstream is also in the same state. Hope this might help someone, Becky

Hi Odana, Sorry I didn't get round to calling you yet. My plans have changed slightly (didn't get the moooring I tendered for grr!) and so now I might be coming straight up onto the Sheffield canal instead. Any news yet on when Tinsley will be re-opening? Cheers, Becky

Chris (and all), Thanks so much for the advice. Where can I find out about the stoppages on the Trent? I just re-checked Waterscape, but can see no mention of this! Also, how far in advance is "well in advance"? I was planning on setting off on 3/4 Oct and phoning the lock keepers around the same time, as it will take me a few days to get up there, all being well. Is that too far in advance? Want to absorb as much useful information as possible without harassing the poor lock keepers! Thanks, Becky

Haha yes, I have to admit I am a little apprehensive about this whole river malarkey, but my new job, boyfriend and family are all up there, so I NEED to do this!

Thanks so much - pm sent to Odana. Oooh one more question too....am I correct in thinking that I HAVE to get an anchor for cruising on tidal river, and VHF is recommended but not compulsory? Cheers, B

Great news on the licence, thanks guys! Am researching heavily around the river being tidal, as this will be my first time on a tidal river. Any pointers to helpful resources greatly received. Cheers, B

All, I am planning to take my narrowboat up the trent in a couple of weeks' time, and am in the process that I have the correct licence etc. According to waterscape, the final part of the Trent which I plan to cruise (heading up to the Chesterfield canal) is not BW water, but falls under Associated British Ports. So, it looks like I need another licence? Can I get a short term (say 1-week) licence to cruise up here? All help / advice greatly appreciated! Thanks, Becky

Granthams Bridge at Hillmorton (Rugby) also do it...

Spotted yesterday that Grantham's Bridge at Hillmorton still have a reasonable stack of stoveglow (or something similar, not sure) for sale. Not lit my fire for about a month now, but may be of use to someone if they're in the area. B

The man has hit the nail on the head.... girls who go to pubs in wellies! B

Well, young-ish anyway....anything my side of about 35....

So, where do all these attractive, eligible young boater-type men hang around then???