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HI All, They're great boats, aren't they? The gift that just keeps on giving... and so, another year another set of issues... Over xmas hols i fitted new rads for a newly installed back boiler. I also finally sorted out our paloma plumbing, which was plumbed into the hot water system along with the calorifier (as one system, and therefore did not work properly, as the paloma would pump hot water into the calorifier!). But now both the rads and the hot water are not connected to the calorifier (i have put stop ends on both sets of pipes coming from it). When i ran the engine for three hours a coupe of days ago when I turned the engine off there was a hissing and quite a bit of steam coming from the engine well. When I opened it it seemed like it was coming from nearby one of the pipes going into or out of the calorifier. Am I being stupid? OK, I didn't drain the two systems that were previously plugged into it (but the rads have always been turned off at a tap new to the calorifier as they were blocked (hence new ones). But there appears to be also be a pipe going from the calorifier to a skin fitting in the engine compartment so I would have thought that if it was too hot then steam and hot water should be ejected from this? Could the hot water from the engine that heats up the calorifier element be getting too hot because there is no flow into and out of the calorifier to take the heat away? If the latter how can I block this off?? I might start using the calorifier again soon as I think I will connect up the rads again and have it feed in (with taps to turn off when engine not in use) to the back boiler-heated central heating system. Does any of that make sense?????

Following the success of last years rally this event is to be repeated. Although there is limited space and additional boats cannot be accommodated within the basin itself there is significant mooring in the area and at Hawkesbury junction and members of the public are encouraged to take and active part in the event. Further more if you own a steam boat or know someone who does, I can only urge you to get in touch with myself or the organisers directly if you are able or interested in taking part with your boat or otherwise, The event is open to steam launches, dingies and canoes, as well as steam narrowboats. Previous years thread located here: http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=47817 Daniel

Hi, I have a bmc 1.8 which has recently started letting a little coolant and steam out of the coolant cap when it has been running for quite a long time. I don't think it is a blown head gasket as doesn't have other main symptoms. Milky looking oil, bubles in coolant etc. I know this doesnt rule it out completely but want to be able to rule out other things before assuming it's an expensive issue. I fitted a new alternator belt, as was a little worn in case it was the pump not working properly. After that, was able to run the engine (without moving the boat) for about an hour and a half with no issues so thought that had sorted it. However after about 40 minutes cruising today it started to happen again. On further inspection I found a minute leak (barely even a drip) in the coolant system which I have fixed (Just by tightening the connection on one of the hoses) and have run idle again for another half hour (while it was already hot from crusing) with no issues. I'd read leaks could be a cause as let's air in which can lead to overheating so hoping this may have fixed it. But wondered if others may have further advice as to things I could look to diagnose/rule out. If it happens again my next thought would be to try a new coolant tank cap. It only seems to happen when cruising so need to move to diagnose whether various things have fixed it or not. As long as I keep an eye on it and don't let it keep running if it begins to happen again, I wondered if this posed any risk/further damage to the engine (realise that will depend largely on what the problem is) The coolant level is the same as it has always been and the main engine temp thermometer has still never gone over its usual of around 70c. If it persists I realise I'll have to get a mechanic in at some point as I'm no expert. But interested in people's thoughts as to whether there are any easy things I can mess around with myself first. Thanks in advance! Sam.

Just in time for the festive season, I present to you a trip from Liverpool Docks, across the Mersey, and onwards up the River Weaver to Acton Bridge, for the Steam Gathering held there in early October. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFhsIOGghtM From the description: Join the 1913 Steam Tug Kerne on her trip from Liverpool to Acton Bridge on the River Weaver via the Manchester Ship Canal. It's not a simple trip, first having to wait for the Seatruck Progress departing for Dublin, along with other vessels. Once we had picked up extra crew at Ellesmere Port, the problems didn't stop as we needed to find the newly dredged channel into Marsh Lock, the entrance to the Weaver. As it was shallow a pump with rigged up to take cleaner water as the boat plowed through the mud at various points allow the River. Even getting a tow over the worse part, where the Daniel Adamson later got stuck. Happy Christmas one and all, Myk