DavidWS

There was once a fuel protest by hauliers and vehicle owners. Attitudes and acceptance seem to have changed since then and it is now open season to soak the long suffering motorist as whatever is imposed, somehow we contrive to accommodate it and make the best of a bad job. I think that boaters can expect this sort of strategy across the board with increases in everything possible, since having gone so far down the line as to own a boat and establish a way of life it is very difficult to accept the final straw position and pack it in. I must admit I felt like doing just that when I received my notification, but then mental compromises set in and apart from emailing BW to see about a change of mooring, to which they have failed to reply, I will go on for a bit longer I suppose. I know we are not in the ‘same boat’ as car commuters who may have little choice, but despite the determination to cripple and restrict motorists caravan sales still seem to be doing well so I think boaters can accept a lot more increased cost before it has any noticeable effect. But by then it won’t matter anyway as the income streams will be so high that a few less boaters won’t make any difference. And as far as who you vote for, it won't make a blind bit of difference to anything.

I have just been looking on this forum to see if anything is being said about mooring charges being increased by BW. I hope I haven't started a new topic unnecessarily but I couldn’t see anything about it. Is this a general hike or just a local one I wonder? I have just got my increase notification of 14.58% in a letter justifying it due to the benefit of the amenities which haven’t changed year on year. Brighouse Basin is the place. There is an option suggested in the notification letter to complain on the basis of ‘relevant information from the regional moorings market.’ Presumably this means that Brighouse Basin has been increased to meet other moorings with similar ‘facilities’ or lack of them. Frankly I am not amused!

From what I read at the beginning I would be surprised if your engine was full of water - as the topic is entitled. My comment about the car is really only related to sudden ingestion through the air intake. If in fact some has gone in through the injectors it is only in a minute quantity but who knows? However, if your engine turns over and you sort out a clean fuel supply that injects and make sure the glow plugs work then there really isn’t anything else that will stop it from running assuming it ran up to the point it was last stopped. I wouldn’t get carried away with stripping it down without good reason.

Just on the subject of getting water in the engine, I suppose it is relative and I didn't see it mentioned above, but having got water in my diesel car engine through the air intake I discovered that whilst it ran after initially stopping, it completely destroyed itself 100 miles later. The high compression on diesels causes the con rods to bend as the water does not compress. In my case one broke and cut through the sides of the engine block, tore the sump off, and went through the starter and the radiator. The chap following who went over the debris wasn't amused either. Shortly after I saw another diesel engine that had suffered water through the air intake but had sensible failed to restart and some of the con rods had bent like swan necks. There is a moral here somewhere!

Well, I have just done the job today thanks to the information above and the filter, the Fram one, cost £2.58 plus £0.45VAT from Wood Auto Factors Ltd Well, I have just done the job today thanks to the information above and the filter, the Fram one, cost £2.58 plus £0.45VAT from Wood Auto Factors Ltd Unfortunately the tip about removing the whole assembly that I have just noticed came too late but I managed OK. Must remember for next time though as it sounds like a good idea. Sorry about the repetition in the post above. My attempts to edit made it worse so I won't try again.

Many thanks to all above. Off to get one tomorrow now. Will see if the £2.50 still applies.

Somewhere, and I know not where, I have the details of the cartridge oil filter of my BMC 1.5 written down. Would someone please tell me a reference number for this. (Note: It is the cartridge type that fits in a can). Many thanks.

Just going back to 'engaging' with the local youth, yes it works sometimes! I 'engaged' with them on the Leeds Liverppol while opening and shutting a swing bridge which was mancled to prevent unauthorised use and to keep it across the canal. They wanted to 'help.' Suited me fine as some of the bridges which swing by hand can be a bit heavy or ground out and stick. This one didn't so it provided a free ride to the three young monsters. The cleverest one wanted to do the whole job which was a mistake as he ran off with the manacle key and they vanished up some waste land towards a housing estate. The moral is, talk by all means but be very careful in letting them get their hands on anything that you might want to use again. (Actually I did get it back again - eventually!)

I don't know what the normal arrangement is but my bath/shower drain leads to a tank which is lower than the base of the bath and higher than the top But it isn't sealed and has a lid on. Inside is a normal bilge pump and to empty the bath I simply switch on and it shoves it out in no time with never any problems.

I think my boat has had two pumps in its nearly 30 year existence! I don't know what life they are supposed to have. Yes I am a bit of a biker too. BMW R1100RS SE. I don't swop and change but tend to look after things and keep them for a long time so it is also out of date but still looks pretty immaculate. Had only three different bikes since 1982. As for flow rate for the Paloma, I guess it will be around what this pump is delivering. It only mentions the minimum pressure but it is the heater that is the suffering as opening the cold tap robs it so it goes out.

I just typed 'hydraulic drive narowboat' into Google and got an archived thread from this forum. I haven't looked beyond yet but there seems to be quite a bit about hydraulic drives. Must have a proper look.

Just to say it was a bit of 'duff gen.' to say I had a Jabsco pump now Colin. I have just looked and it is a Shurflo which replaced an ancient Jabsco rotary pump that I let get frostbitten. And it also gives the flow as 1 4 IMP which is obviously the problem. (I am not sure if it means 14 pints of 1.4 gallons /min.) But it is rated at 4 amps so it can't be very much of a flow. I don't think I will go for the elegant solution of John's last post as I doubt I use the boat enough to do it justice and the pump and accumulator are all tucked away out of sight and out of mind. So I am thinking the Jabsco is better due to the lower pressure and it is just a question of deciding what flow rate to go for. Can't imagine why I didn't get to grips with it sooner.

Thanks Fender. Never having had a boat without hydraulic drive except in prior times to use hire boats, I can't compare and haven't honestly noticed any drawbacks hot or cold. I'm told there is a slight loss of efficiency as the drive is not directly linked but I really wouldn't know. Seems OK to me. The only thing I notice is that my morse lever is maybe a bit 'stiffer' at the initial point of opening and closing the valve for forward and reverse. Maybe it is the way the cable runs to the valve but it is smooth and easy once the initial resistance is past. I would be delighted if you were to send me the jpegs or stick them on a hosting site somewhere. Much appreciated. All info very welcome.

Thanks Colin. When I next go to the boat I'll have a look. Will be a couple of days. I found the invoice for it recently which is fatal as I took it out of the file and now don't know where it is. What is the RS Catalogue John? And do you still leave the pressure switch on the pump or presumably just have a basic pump? When you say it is rather crude does it matter as long as it switches the pump off? Why is the pressure so important except to stuff water in the accumulator and pipes so that you get a quick burst when you open a tap.

Sorry - Yes - David Piper. (John Piper is a painter/artist)