Onewheeler

Have you got any time-expired fire extinguishers?

Well, the fuel spurted out 15 - 20 cm or so - less than the 30 cm suggested by Webasto but certainly more than a dribble. Thinking it was the pump, I fitted a replacement from Ebay but no difference. Evesham Marine tested both and said the original was still good, and the replacement out of spec. I think the latter includes a bit of sales pitch as the spec says 20 ml / minute and the replacement was giving 19 ml. The original was 20 and a bit ml / min. If you want to give my replacement a go you're welcome to try it - I'm only 10 km from Saul (we used to moor there and I know the original owner of your boat unless it's the same name on a different boat!). PM me if interested. The replacement pump has rather short stubs of pipe (a long story but it's feasible to get a hose and clamp on). You won't get a compression fitting on. Martin/

I looked at my pump recently. It's been tested as good since. I reckon it spurts out nearer half that distance, and I'd guess about a ml each pulse. It's supposed to deliver 20 ml / minute, but not sure at what click rate - probably normal running speed, so maybe 20 to 30 pulses a minute? (Mine was giving out white smoke and failing to run after the start-up sequence hence my following the fault tree and getting to possible pump issues and checking it; I decoked the burner and it was good for a while, then failed again. The repairers said the burner was knackered, replaced it and it was fine after that. I took the boiler and pump out and took them up to Evesham Marine who did a good job. Might be worth a chat with Paul Hands there 01386 768500, he'll tell you if there's anyone more local but it's not a long drive from Saul).

I used NoMoreNails or similar to stick down a piece of wood in the engine bay about 18 years ago. It's still stuck there. Clean the surface very, very well first!

True! I had one on one boat and removed it as it made winterising harder.

Next time, think about taking the hot outlet off and stick a hose on a pump down into the bottom of the tank. Or, connect an air pump (big bicycle pump) to a hot tap and drive the water out of a cold tap (that won't get it all out but should empty most of it).

Leave the plinth panels off. I've never bothered putting them in, and it makes access to the wine cellar much easier. No condensation at all.

Could it be the PRV (the thing with the red knob just underneath the short piece of copper tube at the top of the picture) leaking. They often do, either because there's some scale build-up or because the pump pressure is too high. Can't see from the photo where the leak-off outlet is - it will be a short piece of pipe integral to the PRV which may or may not have a tube attached to it to release water somewhere acceptable. Twiddling the red knob on the end a few times may help it reseat (if that is the source).

The sludge remover stuff is quite good but I suspect would need a pumped system with the pump running hard.

What sort of boat? If a narrowboat or widebeam of any size your options are limited. If a smallish cruiser there are plenty of places that could crane or pull it out.

Our recycling centre told me to chuck the container of antifreeze into the general waste skip as it all gets incinerated. Shrug.... I just take the bottom hose off the skin tank, dump it all into the bilge then pump it out and mop up with disposable nappies.

We're lucky in that respect. Hardly any of the village is on a through route, and if a road is blocked we're sensible enough to turn round and go the other way around. Most tanks are accessible in gardens or garages. Our only problem is that no-one is prepared to deliver less than 500 L to a single property, which leaves out a few people who haven't got space to put in a bigger tank.

In our village in which most houses use oil (no gas) we have a scheme where every couple of months we place a bulk order with whichever supplier has the best offer. The tanker delivers to individual houses, we pay individually to the supplier, and get the bulk price (usually for around 10,000 L). Typically get at least a 5 p/ L saving over a 500 L individual order which is well-worthwhile. It's a bit of hassle for the person that compiles the order, but he's happy to do it and with everyone giving their needs by email it only involves a handful of phone calls to the four or so local suppliers.

If it's just been moved it my need a few goes to pull fuel through the pipes. Mine takes two or three tries, and that's just 1 m of pipe.

Similar idea, I've done them by wrapping in foil and leaving on top of the stove covered with a pot. Turn them over occasionally.