Tree Spirit

I have what must be fireboard behind my stove and it is fronted with a metal frame and a gold coloured mesh. It looks ok but have wanted to paint the metal frame which is red to something more in keeping with the boat. Dare say someone will be able to say what sort of paint that should be, but it will have to wait til the Summer as I couldnt be without my stove for the forseeable snowy future :-) This is a fascinating section. At least I know if I decide to tile, I have to put fireboard behind it.

Would love to see a piccy of your boat in lights :-)

I think I will try the bath first, then the talc, then if all else fails maybe the curry... Ha ha what a terrible mixture eh? Sue

WELL I AM SO VERY HAPPY I HAVE FIXED MY GENERATOR WHOO HOO!!! A really really big thank you for all the moral support and technical know how. I have graduated and you can tell by the smell! It was all the things said but there was one little extra teeny weeny hidden secret...there was a second fuel filter inline which was under the floorboards - I found it after following the pipes carefully along which changed places as they weaved along the suport framework. It was full of gritty black stuff, easy to change and blow me if it wouldnt have solved it all had I found it in the first place. Replaced it, bled it, checked for leaks and my darling genny started third time and hasnt stopped since. Batteries all nice and plump. Charging all gone back to normal. THANKS EVERYONE WHO POSTED FOR THEIR VALUABLE TIME. PS HOW DO YOU GET THE SMELL OF DIESEL OFF YOUR HANDS ETC?

Am thinking of a couple of hot water bottles either side of the fuel filters maybe? Keep at it. Do have hairdryer but a bit random as to where it goes (the heat) and there is this lamp I could plug in, but it will run off the inerter...at least I might find out what is the problem. Can I damage my generator if I run it and it struggles? Am running the main engine, will take the side and top off generator to warm it up and lift floor boards etc. Feel a bit more able to try at least. Not happy with my central heating not working though.

How nice that you have a separate tank for the heating. All my diesel comes out the same tank so if it gels everything will go. Sue

Having managed to get my generator fixed (Mase 6.5 post), my dad is convinced it is the very cold temperatures causing the genny to struggle as a result of diesel getting 'thicker' Dad suggested putting half a pint of paraffin in the diesel tank. What do others think? I have no idea if it would damage any of the other things which allegedly run off the diesel: Mikuni central heating, main engine etc So far the only thing working is my main engine (also very much indoors and still above freezing). My genny lives indoors and survived two winters of -10 degrees is raw water cooled and sounded great while it was running! Thoughts very much appreciated.

Hello Mick this is exactly like mine. Thanks. My dad did help me today. We bled this filter like yours. We bled a bit further along and kept turning the engine over with a spare battery to hand to induce the self priming mechanism and did finally get the little darling to run. It did take a really really long time. Lots of starts. I remember this being the case when my partner fixed it many moons ago. She ran for about 10 minutes or so beautifully, then began to really struggle again. The power output was poor too. So possibly something else going on there. Dad is convinced it is the fuel and suggested putting half a pint of paraffin in the diesel to help it along in this cold weather. We took the load off it by flipping the emergency cut out down and it still wasnt happy. I have no idea about this so might start a new thread to get peoples' opinions on this, safety to other equipment etc. Like the funnel workaround Sue

I have a macerator pumpout loo, which looks lovely and works. The only challenge is when there is a total power out on the boat you cant flush, so have to borrow a poraloo. Its a bit inconvenient having toulouse in the bathroom.

I couldn't even turn the nut on the filter, so am awaiting reinforcements (dad and brother) and hopefully they can do this little jobby for me while I watch and learn.

Thanks for this, I will have a look, I was thinking about the possibiltiy, but needed a bit of space from staring into the collossus like interior . Will see if it helps.

Sok you weren't to know

This is what is says in my manual which Catweasel kindly sent me an online version of... 6.5 Fuel filter replacement To ensure long life and proper functioning of the engine, it is extremely important to periodically replace the fuel filter cartridge as listed in the table in Paragraph 6.15. This operation is carried out in the following steps: - Close the fuel cock [Fig. 3, Ref. 24] - Completely unscrew the ring nut of the support [Fig. 3, Ref. 13] - Remove the old cartridge and position the new one. - For remounting, repeat the operation in reverse order. When the filter is replaced, bleed the fuel system carrying out the operations described in Paragraph 4.2. 4.2 Bleeding the fuel system The presence of air bubbles in the fuel system is caused by irregular functioning of the engine or the incapacity to reach the nominal number of revolutions. Air might enter the fuel circuit through an imperfect seal (hoses, filters, tank) or when the fuel in the tank is at minimum level. The fuel system has been designed in such a way as to autonomously eliminate air bubbles that have penetrated the circuit. Automatic bleeding is obtained by activating the fuel pump for a few minutes before starting the engine. The fuel pump is activated by pressing the START button for a second. Should the engine still function irregularly after this operation, consult a technician for a thorough inspection of the fuel system. ahem.

Thanks Richard, but I really am a girl. My partner passed away. I'll change the profile when I get a chance.I know what you mean though, sometimes the obvious really does get overlooked lol Sue

I do have a manual infact I have two and have read them thouroughly but it simply doesnt give any advice on any form of manual bleeding or filling the diesel filter or anything really detailed or useful and just suggests priming the pump by pressing the starter for a second lots of times. What is not clear is what damage can be done to the engine by forcing water round the systme when it isnt working. It might sound unlikely but there is a very unclear note in the manual suggesting you can do permanent damage to the engine so I am a bit freaked by this...

I did say be nice, I may be a girl, but yes and yes :-) Thanks I will take a look at these, I might be able to find something to bleed this way People are very helpful Thanks I will take a look at these, I might be able to find something to bleed this way People are very helpful Yes we replaced the seals on the filter. It is the sort where the top and bottom hold a cylnder in the middle. It is so compact where do you fill such a thing and where do you find things to bleed...it is really not that obvious. Maybe a good marine engineer could help me but it must must must be a good one cos I cant (like anyone else) afford to put money in the canal. Perhaps someone could recommend one in the N Bucks area Yes it is a delphi 296 filter or equivalent. We filled the bottom cup, tried to fill the middle too. Is there a way to fill from the top? Once it is bolted on? I really dont want to unbolt it again and put diesel everywhere.

Oh if anyone out there can give me some help I would be very grateful - I have a lovely generator and when its working it is a dream. I am very proud of it... So it was getting a little grumpy, I changed the oil filter and the oil and lovely its working so much better. It was a while since the fuel filter was changed, so thought it best to do it all while I was at it. HHMPH It is supposed to be a self-priming fuel pump and it has had plenty of chances to self prime but still doesnt want to start the little darling. I filled the bottom cup of the fuel filter with diesel to give it a chance after it fired up and ran for a bit and then conked out. Is there any damage I can do if I keep trying to start it? It is raw water cooled. Please be nice. I am feeling a little cold and grumpy now.

Many many thanks for all the helpful replies. She has now got it sorted but lost her password so cant sign on to say thank you. I believe her spark brother jump started the engine using the existing batteries all safely and advised her how to charge engine start batts.

I for one am going to leave the moronic deluded ramblings of this sad woman and go and read something more pleasant. No doubt others feel the same as me. Steve

Yes, IMHO anybody who sets fire or vandalises is a "mindless yob" whether or not its a domestic or has a connection to the intended victims, anyone who could do this is unsafe and a threat to society as a whole. Steve

Sectioning as consolation ? and lets not even talk about community service. Attempted Murder should carry a minimum 20 year custodial sentence ( thats a real 20 years not a 20 years out in 5 if I promise to be good ) Society needs to protect itself from the "mindless Yob" Steve