119. What Went Wrong with my Narrowboat Engine Service
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2024
- I undertake my first engine service, to change the oil, air and fuel filters; and engine and gearbox oils, having watched it being done last year. What should have been relatively straightforward, turns out not to be so. Please take a look and find out what went wrong.
This is not intended as an instructional video, I am just showing how I serviced my boat and the difficulties I encountered.
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I'm always impressed by the honesty and openness of your videos.Many thanks.
Thank you Paul, for your very kind comment. Cheers
It is good to see someone else who has problems like I do. A professional makes it look so easy, but when I do the exact same job it is next to impossible. Wrong tools, worn parts - I’ve been in your position many times. I enjoyed the video, especially your patience.
That's very kind of you to say, thanks very much.
Allen, you must have the patience of a saint to do all you do. Take care.
Many thanks Ann, you too.
I get RCR to do the service on my engine as part of the gold membership, I see and hear people giving them a hard time but so far I have found them absolutely brilliant, the local engineers are very friendly and knowledgeable. I'm not on commission by the way. My engine is 36 years old and still going strong, the only problem will be spare parts as many of the spare parts were washed away in the flooding in the Japanese factories some years ago. Thanks for that Alan hope it all works out for you. Alan.
Hi Alan. I thought the RCR engineer was most helpful, he told me I'd done everything right, it was just unfortunate that the fuel pump had packed up. I'm trying to build some knowledge of how everything works, in case I have issues when out cruising. I hope your engine continues to perform well. All the best Alan
That was a steeper learning curve than expected! Patient perseverance pays off.
It certainly does, thanks Ann.
Gosh that was hard going!
Isn't it annoying when a job takes significantly longer than you anticipate.
We really enjoy your vlogs, keep up the good work.
Many thanks Geoff, I was unexpectedly caught out, as I hadn't realised the fuel pump was faulty. Thanks for supporting the channel. All the best Alan
Don’t be so negative and see it as a learning experience.
Next time you do it, you will be better equipped with equipment and knowledge.
Eventually you can do it with your eyes closed.
👍🏻
Great video, always looking forward to next.
Hi Erik, I didn't think I was negative, it was very disappointing that the fuel pump had packed up (didn't realise that at first) and I see all experiences like this, as you suggest, learning for the future. I'm glad you liked the video, best wishes Alan.
He did not learn anything, you start with all spares, and read the manual.
I use ATF in my gearbox, Ask Newgate.
You have so much more perseverance than me! 10 mins in and it would have been a call to my brother who can do things like this with his eyes closed begging him to help out his older brother! Keep safe Alan.
Thanks David, I didn't say in the video but it must have taken me over an hour to remove the little O ring underneath the filter housing just because I didn't have the knack of doing it. Next time, I hope to be able to do it swiftly! All the best, take care Alan
Great video as always. Nice to see I'm not the only one who attempts one job and creates three more, also having the right tools is half the job.
Thanks Edward, I was rather unfortunate with the fuel pump packing up. Cheers
Well worth a try, you learnt alot and that is nothing but positive in my opinion.
I fully agree, thank you for that, cheers.
Great vlog very interesting and great presentation, the time flew, something i thought might have been boring was quite the opposite!
That's very kind of you to say, thank you very much. All the best Alan
You are a much braver chap than I am Alan...not something I would attempt! Full marks to you....very enjoyable to watch..🍷🍷
Many thanks Steve, it's important for me to have a good understanding of how the engine works and I get that from being hands on. All the best.
Best wishes and good luck in getting your engine shipshape so that we can go chugging along with you and watching your interesting vlogs. 🤞🐞
Thank you very much Barbara, I have been out cruising on a glorious sunny day, so not too long before a cruising vlog comes out. Cheers and thanks for your support.
Nice job Alan....you got it sorted. Everything is a learning experience and having the correct tools is one of the most important things. The more of it you do...the better your tool box will also become. Thank You....I enjoyed it very much as usual. Mark
Thank you Mark for your support, I've learnt a lot, which is very satisfying. It's important to me to have a working knowledge of the engine and you gain that by doing things for yourself. Cheers
It’s always a bloody work up! These things are never straight forward and I thought this only happened to me. Thanks for posting.
No Paul you're not alone in that regard, it happens to me as well. Cheers
That was difficult in those tight quarters. You know a lot about the mechanicals and you share what you learn from each new thing you do. Quite a service that provides to others. Thank goodness you got the issues with the alternator/fuel pump addressed too.
Many thanks Debbie for your very kind comment. I'm actually getting some very helpful advice from viewers. Take care Alan
Hi Alan , there is a drain plug in the underside of the gearbox to drain it properly and running out any metalic filings that accumulate in the bottom , also the dipstick does not get screwed in to check the level simply put it in the hole until it touches the top of the casing and that is it( it's in the manual) , the dipstick tube is also the breather for the box and you should be able to blow through it ,this stops the oil from blowing passed the seals
hope this helps 👍🏼
Hi thanks for that advice. Last year I had a marine engineer service the engine and he pumped the gearbox oil out. I agree the manual does refer to a sump plug but I don't think I would be able to get down that low to undo it and refit it. I will use a mirror to look under the gearbox, then I'll have a better idea. My Barrus Shires manual states "Screw dipstick in fully to establish level", which is contrary to your manual. Odd isn't it! All the best Alan
Good morning Alan 😊. Normally I wouldn’t be all that interested in engine repair, but found your video very satisfying. You kept going despite all the frustrations and showed how perseverance sooner or later pays off! Great job Alan 👍🏻. Looking forward to some sunny cruising or a nice walk. Have a happy day ☀️. 🍀
Many thanks Donna, very kind of you to say. I have been out cruising on a glorious sunny day, so there is a cruising video in the pipeline. Take care and keep safe. Cheers Alan
When your pouring the new oil from its container into the engine, have the hole of the container at the top. That will allow the oil to pour nicely and stop the oil going glug, glug when the container drawers in air as it would do if you have the hole on the bottom.
Those oil filter removers are fantastic for removing stubbornly tight lids from jars. I have one just for the galley. How else would you have found out the fuel pump and the alternator belts were u/s other than by doing your own service and not having the engine not start. That could have been a major problem when you were out cruising. Great vlog Allen. Cheers.
Thanks Greg. Looking back at the pictures of the marine engineer who serviced the boat last year, I note he had the oil container on it's side, which is what you are suggesting. You're quite right, if I had delayed the service, I could well have got caught out whilst cruising. All the best Alan
You are doing ok Al. Well done
Many thanks, much appreciated.
Hi Alan ,got to say you tried your best I don’t think you are cut out to do Servicing your engine ,but you saved your self some money ,at least you found out you diesel pump was not working correctly, that could have let you down while you was on a trip down the canal so that was a blessing ,take care keep safe
Hi John. It's important to me, to have a working knowledge of the engine and you only get that by being hands on. It was certainly a good time to find that the pump needed replacing but I can't agree with your sentiment. No pain no gain, next time I will be better informed. All the best, hope you're keeping well. Cheers Alan
The best tool for a diy mechanic are the manual for the engine! It has loads of info from the amount of oil required to valve lash and more. The amount of info is normally more than you would normally need but priceless in a pinch!
I agree, I do have the engine manual and consult it when I need to. Cheers.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture I do suggest you have a look at the water pump section. With boats of many types they use a rubber type impeller. If yours does I suggest you keep a spare impeller aboard.
@@dougabrahamsen2952I’ve only just realised you were looking at a 3 year old video, I thought you had commented on this year’s engine service, no.345. Thanks for the advice, I’ll look into what you suggest.
Hi Alan bravo for having a go. Interesting for the rest of us those. Keep safe.
Thanks Annie, good of you to say. Take care Alan
Well done on persevering and completing your engine service, it gives a great sense of achievement doing jobs ones self doesn’t it 😉👍. As you know, I’ve yet to start doing any jobs on my boat, watching you doing yours does spurn me on to get my arse in gear ! 😄 Thanks again for a very enjoyable vlog, its always a pleasure watching your channel 😉👍
Many thanks Dave, very kind of you to say and if I can render any assistance, you only have to ask. It is very worthwhile having a working knowledge of the engine, in case any issues arise. I'm still learning of course! Cheers.
I have done lots of mechanical work on cars and engines and been a machinery engineer in the oil industry. Nowadays (retired) by the time I have bought the special tools, the wrong parts, travelled miles back and forth to the shops, ruined some clothes, busted my knuckles and got over heated and stuck in the engine space, I find that it is cheaper to just pay someone to do the work. They are used to it, they know what to look for and are less likely to make the sort of mistake that can ruin an engine. But I did enjoy the vlog.
I know what you mean Andy but I think it's important to have a working knowledge of the engine, as it's not always easy to find an engineer to help. I'm glad you liked the video. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Actually that is very true and a good point.
Aah the joys of boating.
It has to be done and it's useful getting to know more about the engine. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Totally agree ,cheers mate
I did my first oil change a couple of months back for the boat. It’s been years since I have done a car. It’s a learning process and gets a lot easier. Must admit will still want a professional in the engine bay every other year just to check everything over.
I was unlucky on this occasion, as I hadn't reckoned on the fuel pump being faulty. The service was done by a marine engineer last year.
Hi Alan it is a good job that you had a visit from River and Canal Rescue as he found out your electric lift pump was on it's way out as that could have packed up at a very awkward time and place. So now you are all Tickeye and Ticketybo.
Hi Ramsey, I fully agree and not just the fuel pump but the alternator belts as well. Cheers
Enjoyed the vlog, I think you have convinced me to get our first service done professionally, thank you.
I think that's a good idea, especially for the first one. I was unfortunate with the fuel pump packing up unexpectedly, which rather threw me off course. It's good though to have a working knowledge of how the engine performs and you get that by being hands on. All the best Alan
Well done Alan. Stay safe.
Many thanks Michael and you.
That was a very informative vlog! I admire your patience and resilience. I never like giving up on a job, and you certainly didn't do that! Well done for persevering..
That's very kind of you to say so, thank you very much.
A couple of tips. Before fitting the new fuel filters fill them with diesel, just pour it in, to minimise the air in the fuel system. Also coiled plastic tube can be straightened by holding one end with pliers and pouring very hot water from a kettle into the top end, with care of course. With time you will become a good mechanic because you're very careful and thorough and you'll find your way around the small, but very important, obstacles
Many thanks John for the tips and kind comments. I think it's important to have a grasp of how everything works, so am learning all the time. It's safer I feel just to put the plastic tube into hot water. Cheers Alan
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Hi Alan, yes, you have to be careful if you're pouring boiling water down a plastic tube! It was a mechanic friend who gave me the tip about filling the new fuel filter(s) with diesel. This was on my Vito. He said it can be hard to start the engine if one doesn't do that because of the amount of air in the fuel system
@@johnswimcat Several other viewers have also mentioned filling the filters with diesel. I'm not actually sure that is necessary, as I have an electric pump which pushes the fuel into all those places it needs to go and expels the air. It is though an excellent idea if you have to prime manually.
Well done Alan, you have a lot of patience! Well worth being a member of RCR. Hopefully will be easier next time. Hope you are cruising soon
Keep Safe and Take Care
Thank you Jackie, I have managed to get out cruising, as you will see in a forthcoming vlog. Stay well. Cheers
Your new empirical knowledge is invaluable!! Good on you! The gear box oil because it does not have combustion contaminates in it will last much longer than expected. Unless you have done something to seriously stress the gears during running. Keeping the weed hatch and prop clean will suffice. With respect to the alternator belts and waiting, it’s like what the monkey said when he bit off his tail...” it won’t be long now!” Keep an eye on the engine oil it’s more critical and needs to changed on schedule because diesels will contaminate the lubricating oil with diesel fuel especially during idling or when over-revved. I think you have done a spectacular job. Keep going I love watching your vlogs.
Thank you very much Steve, I am receiving a lot of advice on how to do it better. The engine oil was changed at the recommended 250 hours, perhaps it should be a little more frequent. Thanks for supporting the channel. Cheers
You did a really good job on servicing your engine
Thank you very much, nice of you to say so. Cheers
Keep the vlogs coming Alan love all your antics on the cut,stay safe buddy.
Many thanks Martin, you too take care.
Great vlog - really bad luck the fuel pump packed up whilst your were servicing. It's quite enjoyable servicing engines as you can really see a difference when you take her out again!
Thanks Rob, my spirits were rather dampened, when I couldn't start the engine. There is satisfaction from doing jobs yourself.
10/10 for this vlog. Very interesting and informative. Learnt a lot from this. Many thanks for your efforts 👍
Glad you enjoyed it, cheers.
Well done Alan it's all a learning kerb 👍👍
Thanks Dave, I had Simon service the engine last year, so picked up some tips from him.
Alan, enjoyed watching your engine service vlog. I laughed quietly to myself as I remembered the times my DIY attempts at servicing equipment didn't go the way I had planned them. Haha! Life is full of unexpected lessons. Some are free and some cost us a few dollars. I am glad your's went as well as it did. Hope your next trip out onto the cut the engine and all will perform well and there will be no need to call in the rescue service. Keep safe and stay healthy. Looking forward to the next adventure of Alan on the cut. I enjoy following you.
Thank you very much for your kind comment, much appreciated. I have been out cruising, as you will see in a forthcoming video and all was well. Thanks for supporting my channel. Take care. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Keep on doing what your doing. I enjoy it . And you are welcome!
When changing your fuel filters fill them with fuel then fit them,same with your oil filter if you can
Hi Craig, others have suggested that as well but I'm not sure it's necessary. I had my first service done by a marine engineer, I took notes and photos and I didn't record him doing that. It has an electric pump to circulate the diesel. I believe filling the filters helps if the system needs manually bleeding. When the new electric pump was fitted, the engine started without any difficulty. Right or wrong! Cheers
Hi Allan I normally get the engine warm before I start changing the oils.
That way it's just a matter of dumping the oil while I'm changing the filters.
That way you're doing everything at once and saving time.
Thanks Paul, I'll bear that in mind next time. Cheers
Hi Alan
For your first sevice good job try a piece of hose on bottom of funnel to fill oil should work
Temp fan belt is only emergency use keep close eye on it
You stay safe and well
Thanks Ron, the fan belt topic will come up in the next vlog. That's a good idea about the hose, will do that next time. Take care, cheers.
Good job Alan, clearly not your fault the pump failed at the same time ("sods law" they call it) , still in fairness it was better it failed then rather than when you we're cruising! Nice video, I like your laid back style of delivery. Happy boating.☺️
Many thanks Robert, yes it was fortunate to happen "in harbour" so to speak rather than on the cut. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel. Cheers
Thank you for sharing Alan. Very interesting to watch. Stay safe
Many thanks Anthony, glad you liked it. Take care
Well done 👍 Alan just think 💭 how quick you will be next time you do the service 🤗
Let's hope so, at least I'll know what to expect and be better prepared. Cheers
Good luck Alan, keep smiling. Quite sure, you'll be out soon cruising again.
I have been thanks Allan, enjoying the lovely weather, to be seen in a forthcoming video. Cheers
Good morning Alan
If you put the pipe from the section pump in warm water before use it will become a lot more flexible, you can always slide a piece of metal coat hanger inside the tube then bend it to fit into the gearbox and reach the bottom. Good for you for doing it, I could not do that job now, if I was with my head lower than my knees it makes me feel very unwell.
I was just about to suggest the same idea of using a metal coat hanger inside the flexible tube. The only caveat would be that it should be much longer than the gearbox so when extracting the tube it dies not slip inside the gearbox and remains in place ready to be removed
Thank you both for the advice about the coat hanger. The pipe I attached to the suction pump was very flexible, so didn't need heating, and I thought I had fed it to the bottom of the gearbox but apparently not. What ever is put down into the box needs to be able to bypass the gears. Cheers
Hi Lewis, thanks for the advice. I have commented below but am not sure whether you get notified, as I have replied to someone else in the comment chain you started. Cheers
Hi cousin from Australia. Take care LOL.
I am sure you will think of something better to do it with
Always look forward to the videos,
Keep up the good work 👏
Many thanks Louis, nice of you to say.
Job well done....keep safe my friend
Many thanks Michael, take care.
One positive note Allan
Good job the fuel pump failed while you were at your mooring,
And finding the belt problem.
Could have been a lot worse if you had broken down while cruising. And miles from help.
I fully agree Paul, that's exactly the way I look at it. I had purchased spare belts when I bought the boat, so was surprised when neither of them fitted. And more than two years later, I swapped them at the chandlers for a correct belt.
An electric oil suction pump is ideal for the gearbox, Aldi or Lidl were doing them for about a tenner last summer. Works great on mine and a fllexible plastic pipe helps you get to the very bottom of the gearbox but it is trial and error.
There's no doubt an electric pump would be easier, I'll keep a lookout thanks. Cheers
Windy.? But glad it got done. Nice to see engineer came
A couple of helpful tips on oil changing. On my suction pump I have added a length of polycarbonate tubing which I got from eBay. It's rigid but also transparent. I leave it on there permanently. When running the engine to warm it up, if you pop it into gear (check the boat is securely attached first) it will both warm the engine quicker and warm the gearbox oil. Finally, when replenishing and pouring new oil from a 5 litre container, try to turn the container through 90 degrees so it is laying on its side. This brings the outlet from the container to a higher point and allows the air in without the 'gulping'. It allows the oil to exit the container much more smoothly. Hope it helps.
Thanks for those tips David. I had a marine engineer service the boat last year and looking back at the photos I took, I note that he poured the oil with the container sideways. I also realised that to warm the gearbox oil, it would need to be in gear but I have been reluctant to do that on my mooring but will give it a go sometime. Cheers
To bleed air from your diesel lines, simply disconnect the exit hose from your last filter and allow the pump to pump until diesel exits from the hose, now reconnect it. Should all work now.
The problem I had was that the pump wasn't working. The RCR engineer advised that with the pump working, the air gets expelled anyway. I'm sure the marine engineer that serviced it last year did not bleed the system, he just switched the ignition on for the pump to work and after a period turned the engine on and it fired into life.
great vlog .... in changing fuel filter..... fill filter with dextron 2 transmission fluid .....this prims the fuel filter witch in turns allows the engine to start right away .........moreover; in not letting the engine long after starting allow engine to sit for an evening or a day ........ transmission fluid with its high detergent content will double as a cleaning for injection pump and injectors as well as diesel gunk......... cherro ..........Stewart
Thanks Stewart, that's a very useful tip. I will check that out. Cheers
Hello
I do apologise my mistake
Regards
John.
Hello
With the best will in the world I think you should have wormed the engine up on the old filter and then changed oil and filter that way the new filter is not contaminated with old oil.
Regards
John.
Hi John, the engine was warmed up using the old filter and then changed. Cheers
Good that your insurance provided the help you needed. I guess the silver lining is, you discovered and corrected the fuel pump issue at home base rather than on some remote section of the canal system? Really enjoyed the video thanks!
I fully agree Mike, good to get the problem in the Marina, rather than when out cruising, likewise with sorting the alternator belts. Glad you liked the video. Cheers
Great video and very daring of you! Well done for attempting this and learning what to do next time! You also did incredibly well for keeping the airwaves clean! Unless of course you edited out the justifiable expletives 🤓🤓
That's very kind of you to say, the fuel pump packing up was rather unexpected but I now think it had been faulty for quite a while. No editing of that nature was necessary! Was it?
My Narrowboat Venture indeed it wasn’t! It probably would need editing if I was undertaking such a task 😂
Alan, were you a teacher? You are very patiant and as always I enjoy watching you work. I myself learned long ago that it was no point in my trying to service or repair anything because I would just have to pay an expert to fix my mistakes. Good for you for keeping on and doing the job at hand.
Hi Bob, over a long period, a number of people have asked me if I was a teacher and the answer is no. I have though done work where I used to explain things to others. Thanks for your kind words. Cheers
For the next service, after changing the fuel filters, prime the system first by turning the key to the on position without starting. Do that a few times and you should hear the sound change when the system is primed. After that the engine should fire right up!
I appreciate that thanks. It's what I did (not shown in the video) but as the pump wasn't working, it was unable to prime the system. I therefore only showed the engine being unable to start. Cheers
I think you are very brave to do that, I certainly wouldn't, but I have never serviced a car or any engine... Great to see you in a ripped and paint splattered shirt ha ha.....stay well
Many thanks, someone suggested I was too well dressed when I was painting, even though I always use an old shirt. It's been a long while since I've done any car servicing but if I'm capable I must get on and do it. All the best, take care.
Hello Alan, if your gearbox is a PRM120 the manual says its capacity is 0.8 litres. The Newage website now recommends Automatic Transmission Fluid is used in their mechanical gearboxes which the 120 is. If all else fails there is a drain plug on the underside if you can access it. I have a copy of the manual on a PDF document if it would help. Regards, Michael.
Thanks Michael, I do have a copy of the manual. It is a PRM120 and the manual does recommend ATF. The marine engineer used engine oil last year and I checked with him and he said that's correct. I also asked the River Canal Rescue engineer and he said, as it's the older 120, use the same oil as the engine. So two engineers have said the same. It is confusing when the advice conflicts with the manual. The drain plug would be difficult for me to reach. The engineer last year pumped the oil out, so I attempted the same. I'm learning a lot, which is very useful, as I consider it important to understand how the engine functions. All the best Alan
If you put that coiled hose in hot water it will get soft and you can let it straighten and then cool.
Hello there, very interesting it's a must to care for your engine give you peace of mind?,
Thank you for sharing your video cheers take care see you soon cheers take care see you soon
Many thanks Robert, I'm glad you liked the video. All the best Alan
Alan have a good lock round the gearbox casing - oftentimes there is a ‘level plug’ that you can remove so that on filling any excess - is witnessed by flow out through the level plug hole. Might be identified in the manual.
Thanks for that suggestion Norman, I don't believe there is a level plug, as the marine engineer who serviced the engine last year would have mentioned it. What he did mention was how difficult it was to see the oil on the dipstick. I have the Barrus Shire and Yanmar manuals but these do not cover marinised engines. Cheers
My Narrowboat Venture Hi Alan - I believe you may have a PRM gearbox - does any of your documentation confirm the make and model number (of the form PRM125D or similar) if so the manuals are available for download. BTW in all likelihood the ‘marine engineer’ who attended may well be a competent enough mechanic but details like level plugs may have eluded him.😉
Wannabe MacGyver here..
This is too late now,,, But when I saw you with the limp hose, I thought of a piece of stiff clothes hanger wire.
You might try threading a stiff wire inside the limp hose to get it to go where you hant it to...
Just an idea,, and keep up the good work,,and thanks for sharing your videos....
Many thanks for that suggestion, I may well try that next time I do it. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel. All the best Alan
Enjoyed your video, i don't know if anyone has suggested it before but a piece of brake pipe would be handy, better than flexible tube.
Thanks John, I've had all sorts of suggestions. I did try and use some microbore pipe but brake pipe would be even better, as I'm fairly certain it's thinner. I need to plan better next time. Thanks for watching, cheers.
The hand pumps are good at getting most of the oil out of the sump;
nothing dribbled out of the filter when you took it off either, so you probably had the sump empty
It may be that you were a little low on oil previously, which is why you didn't get as much out as you expected
You only added 3 and a bit litres of oil to a 5.5 litre sump
As you are only seeing a scrape of oil on the dipstick, this could well be because the oil level is still below the bottom of the dipstick
Please be careful running the engine until you're sure you have sufficient oil!
Good luck! :-)
Hi, thanks for your comment. I did re-visit the oil and topped it up, so it is now marginally beneath the upper mark on the dipstick. I would say just over 4 litres though! I have been out cruising and all is well. I will keep a watchful eye on it. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Also, if you get less out than you put in, you might have a leak, or be burning some.
Hi Alan, what fun it is to do your own servicing. That was a stroke of luck that your fuel pump failed when it did while you were at your mornings. Being out on the cut could have brought a very different outcome.
Whenever I have checked any of my cars for oil I was always taught to take a sniff of the dipstick. Any sign of a burnt smell was a sign of the solid nearing the end of its safe life and time to be replacing it. I don't know if diesel would have a similar indicator, others better skilled than I would be able to advise you on that.
Another trick is to partially fill your new solid filter with fresh oil before you fit it, that ensures that a good steady supply of oil is available to your engine right away, and the oil doesn't have to fill the filter before it can get to the engine.
Good luck getting it all sorted, that pipe in the gearbox seems to be a difficult problem. I wonder what other narrowboaters do about their oil changes?
Hope it all goes well for you and you will soon be able to get out and about on the cut. Have you given any thought as to what your first destination might be?
Hi thanks for your advice, it's also been suggested to fill one of the fuel filters with diesel when putting the new one on. I was pleased that the failure occurred in the marina and also that the belts were found to be faulty, better here than when out cruising. I have some cruising ideas but am not saying too much presently.Take care, cheers Alan
That was okay for the first try Alan , you can only get better with experience . I wouldn't be turning over the gearbox with the copper pipe in it , you might do some damage to the gears or lose bits of the pipe in the gearbox which would be a disaster :-)
The thought of leaving the pipe in the gearbox would never enter my mind, so no fear of that happening. Cheers
A tricky job out of the way well done, at least next time you can watch your own vlog as a reminder.
Many thanks. I'm also getting some very useful tips for the future. Cheers
Hi Alan. I would advise against using FRAM filters. They are very cheaply made and are renowned for not being very good. They only contain the bare minimum filter material. Better than nothing but spend a little more and get a better brand. Unfortunately I am not familiar with what is available in the UK (I’m an ex pat Brit in Canada) but I’m sure someone will advise you. It will do OK for now but change it next time. Cheers.
Thanks for that Michael, I'll beware next time. I just used the same, as the engineer used, when the engine was serviced last year. I'll make some enquiries to see what I can find out. All the best Alan
Good morning Alan, try using your flexible pipe attached too your funnel for putting the new oil back into the engine??
Simple isn't it but strange how the mind doesn't think of it during the event! Many thanks Matt, cheers.
Your videos are very informative one day when I get to the uk as I am in Bermuda 🇧🇲 would like to meet you .?
Thanks Morris, very kind of you to say, you never know that may prove possible. Cheers
I've seen dipsticks with a bit of a smear. I had to look at one half of the dipstick. I don't think it was as bad as you're describing.
I get low when things don't work, too! 😅
I'm really not sure what I said now. Regarding the gearbox dipstick, it is very difficult to see the oil level. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture When I had a smeared dipstick, I think I was just nervous about reading it correctly. It wasn't that hard when I was shown how, so I think you had it worse there. It was a long time ago though... it's been a long time since I worked on any engine; I'm starting to miss it. :) Cheers!
@@eekee6034 Thanks for the clarification, cheers.
I would call that a success as you have at least the same number of fingers as you started with.
"It is easier when you watch someone else do it" - The little known 11th commandment of St Alan the patron saint of patience.
If this had been me there would have be a lot of swearing, bleeding knuckles and tools launched into the canal (not forgetting the obligatory "bits left over").
I was pleased at the end of the day but getting there was not so good. I just hadn't expected the fuel pump to stop working but it's good that it did so in the marina and not out cruising. Cheers
That was interest to watch but thar gear box looks a right job for a simple task you wud think they wud av made it like the engine with a pump Nice one Alan 🦢✌️
That would be very helpful Lee but unfortunately not. Cheers
Alan is there no end to what you can do painting, servicing what next?
Perhaps I'll learn to swim but that's unlikely, as all attempts in the past have failed!
One point in life I was skinny and could become a pretzel, try a hobby centre for straight tube maybe even a hardware Big Box store or a straight piece of brake line auto parts. Could the part on the bracket be shifted so you don't get stopped by an odd angle into the gear box
It is the fuel pump that's on the bracket. Brake pipe has been suggested but I'm not sure if that's much different to the pipe I sourced. A hobby centre is a good idea, thanks for that.
Oil smearing on the dipstick. Sounds like there's some oil in the neck of the dipstick tube. Try a pipe cleaner down the tube to remove the residue. If the manual recomends 5litres of oil, that is what you should aim for. Only replacing what you took out could leave you short and will increase the wear on the engine. Also gearbox oil doesn't need to be replaced as often as engine oil.
Thanks for your advice. I topped up the oil, I didn't leave it as it was shown in the video. The recommended guidance for oil change in the manual, is the same for the engine and gearbox. But others have said the same as you, that it doesn't need to be changed so often. All the best Alan
Good job try this changing of the oil gearbox very tricky did you come up with a system for that procedure ..
Hi Andy. I need to better sort out the tube to go into the gearbox and then I should be ok. Cheers
Are you going to change the coolant any time? I watch lots of narrowboat vlogs but have never seen it done. Thanks for such an honest account of your service.
Hi Andy, I have been thinking about that but want to consult someone else about it, as I have some queries to discuss. I do usually look at other vlogs when I want to know something but haven't researched this. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Water doesn't degrade. Oil degrades, Brake fluid degrades. Even diesel can degrade, but not water. Also, it may have antifreeze in it.
Hi alan while watching the vlog think there maybe a nut missing off the engine mounting in frame 28.56 hopefully I am mistaken
Hi Terri. Thanks for letting me know. Did you mean 18.56. There are two studs visible on the engine mounting and each has a nut. Are you suggesting there should be a second nut, acting as a lock nut? I will look at the engine in daylight but all looks well to me. Cheers
Maybe put the transparant pipe in very warm water next time to get it in to shape thanks for the videos
That's a good idea but the actual pipe I used was soft and very flexible, so it wasn't necessary. Cheers
Hi Alan great vlog as always just wondering the first filter the bolt you removed did it have a small O Ring on they can come with the filter and should be replaced if your particular filter has one your second filter next time fill it with diesel before fitting can help when priming the system. I always change one filter then run the engine then change the second run the engine.Have you still got the old pump you could check it across the battery just to make sure it has broken .you are always patient and not worried about making mistakes makes a great watch looking forward to the next instalment 👍🍺.
Hi Martin. It's very interesting that you should ask that. There was a second tiny O ring in the box but I wasn't sure what it was for. As far as I recall there wasn't one on the bolt but I wasn't looking for it. I had a marine engineer service the engine last year, and he only mentioned the larger small O ring, the one I had trouble getting off. I'll remember about filling the secondary filter with diesel next year. I'm not sure what happened to the old pump, I don't recall disposing of it so maybe the RCR engineer took it away. I'm glad you enjoy watching. Cheers
Is there a need to do an annual service on your boat ? The engine and gearbox hours must be very low. Have you got engineering manuals for direction. Sometimes these services are ‘prompted’ by oil and filter suppliers unnecessarily. The oil that you pulled from the gearbox looked very clear. Did the last service engineer replace all the gearbox oil ?
Regards AJ
Hi Alan. The oils and filter are recommended every 250 hours or 12 months, and the fuel filters every 500 hours or 12 months. I had done 250 hours in 12 months, so yes was necessary. I have got the Barrus Shires and Yanmar manuals. I used a marine engineer last year, so am confident he removed all the gearbox oil (or as much as it's physically possible to remove). Someone else said the oil looked black, which it did in the measuring jug but it was actually a greenish/yellow colour. Cheers
Hi Allan , just been watching your video of the engine / gearbox service. Do you keep a record , or stick a label on your filters re date when you changed them and the oil? I didn’t see you change the air filter on this occasion? Glad you resolved the issues with engine not starting.
Take care, enjoy relaxation on your boat.
Hi David. I keep a log of my travels and have recorded the engine service on there, I will then know how many hours cruising I've done. I don't use labels, the filters don't come with any to stick on. All the best Alan
You could or should have tried some Micro Bore Copper pipe. Its thin but flexible.
I thought I had used microbore pipe, it was thin and flexible but I couldn't get it in fully but have been given lots of tips for next time. Cheers
Always fill the all filters with fluid, before installing. Air is a killer in diesels.
Hi Mark, thanks for this advice, others have suggested the same. Cheers
@@MyNarrowboatVenture You are more than welcome . Love the show!
@@tinkeringwithmark1186 Thanks very much Mark, cheers.
The lift pump on the Barrus engines never seems to last very long. I am on my second one and now carry a spare, along with belts and filters. The pump is available on amazon for a tenner or from Barrus for ten times that amount. Rico Europe at Daventry carry the belts you need plus do filter kits for the Barrus engines at a very good price and delivery is cheap.
You look to have good access around your gearbox and it only holds around 500mls, can you not stick that little drain tray under it and remove the plug from the bottom?
At least you now have the experience for next time, well done.
Thanks Phil for that tip, believe it or not I have just ordered a spare pump. I'll check out Rico Europe as well, Daventry is just down the road. As the engine is marinised I'm not expecting there to be a drain plug, as I would have thought it would be blanked off. And even if there was one, I would never be able to get down to it. I'm learning all the time, which is good. All the best Alan
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Just a point about the pump, the boat will usually start ok with a dead pump as it gravity feeds from the tank. It is only when you come to bleed the system you find out its knackered.
How much do you save doing it yourself? Seems to me if you get someone in they do it all, get rid of the waste oil and spent filters and you don't lose space storing once a year clobber for 364 1/2 days. Whilst servicing, they check the belts and replace as necessary. Just a thought.
Hi Dan. It's not about saving money, it's about getting to know the engine and be able to deal with any issues that might arise when I'm cruising. I've got a much better understanding now, than I had before I serviced the engine. There is a facility here for disposing of waste oil. I suppose the saving would be about £100, not really thought about it. Cheers, all the best Alan.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture Understood Alan, and that puts a different slant on things. TBH When we had a boat in the Harbour I always did any basic work on the engine and most repairs. Like anything in life, it's always easy when you know how! You won't ever know how if you don't do it will you. Take Care.
Hi Allen, Thanks for the very informative video. Hope by now everything is sorted. May I ask how much it costs to get an engineer in to service the engine, for those who are leary of getting down and dirty. Looking forward to future vids. Stay safe. 👍👍
Thank you Louise. I had the engine serviced last year and some other bits done as well. I would have thought in the order of £150 to £200 but others might know better. Thanks for your support. Take care Alan
Remember the filter would have been holding a fair bit of oil when you add up how much you removed.
Yes it would but it's not an overly large filter and not a lot of oil actually came out of it. Cheers
A pox on that fellow David - he's got me watching 3 narrow boat channels now. Honestly, I could see myself with a wide beam of around 35 feet, but would need 100HP or better to run it on rivers in the U.S.,A.
Nice idea there using the plastic bags to keep things tidy.
A hint is to pre-fill your fuel filters with clean diesel before installing them. I have a diesel pickup, and it has multiple bleed valves to use prior to cranking the engine. You don't want to crank your engine with the diesel injection pump dry. This can damage your injection pump and they are quite pricey.
To get your pump to run, you simply bump the starter (usually), then let the pump run until it times out (10-30 seconds).
Your engineer's copper pipe allowed him to get crud off the bottom of the pan, which I doubt your plastic hose will.
While you proudly did your service yourself, I will guess that you might agree that your service engineer earns his or her fee.
Hi and welcome aboard. Thanks for the advice, filling the secondary filter with fuel has also been suggested by others. As the fuel pump is electric, I have been told that switching on the ignition will let the pump push the diesel around and expel the air before starting. All the best Alan
How much do they charge to do an engine service? How much did you save by doing it yourself?
I enjoyed your video, very real world experiences
Hi Eric, it's not just about saving money, it's about becoming better acquainted with the engine and understanding how it functions. I've never had a diesel previously, so it's all a learning experience. Last year, the engineer did some other work as well, so I've not tried working out the saving. Glad you enjoyed watching. Cheers Alan
Probably £180 including oil and filters, if you continuously cruise , you will be doing this every six weeks, it's an easy job once you have done it a couple of times. But some engine holes are easier to access than others, and may mean you have to be a bit agile, definitely checking out if you are not lithe.
all engine oil and fuel retrieved in servicing ........only need to be put back in your fuel tank ...... this allows better fuel economy and recycling .........Stewart
Thanks Stewart for that advice. Take care, all the best Alan
Get yourself a box of nitrile rubber gloves. That way you won’t smell of diesel when you’re done next time. As a former diesel mechanic know exactly how hard it is to get the smell off your hands and out of your clothes. It’s pervasive.
FYI You can mix the diesel fuel from the fuel filters with the oil from the engine and gearbox into one container to take it to the waste oil bin if it makes it easier. They re-refine used oil and it’ll all work out. Gasoline is a different story because it’s vapors are explosive and creative a safety issue. Diesel is not explosive. It’s so oily it’s barely flammable unless aerosolized and super heated just so.
I’ve worked on hundreds of that exact engine. It’s one of the most reliable engines I’ve worked on. They are extensively used in generators as well are boats. I was a diesel generator mechanic on the docks for many years before I started operating container gantry crane.
With your electric fuel pump (when working properly). You can let it pump for a few minutes before you start the engine after a fuel filter service. It runs for hours and hours while your engine runs while underway on the canal. So letting it prime the filters for 5 minutes won’t hurt anything. I know it was defective in this case. I’m just mentioning it for the future.
I hope you’re running a fuel additive to inhibit diesel fungus. A product commonly know as a biocide. You should put it in at every fill up but at least twice a year. While you’re looking If you find an additive that also raises your cetane level and has a lubricity increaser then you’ll also gain a bit of fuel efficiency and reduce wear on your fuel injection pump and injectors. Your local chandlery or lorry/automotive parts supplier should be able to help find an appropriate diesel fuel additive available your area. It’s cheap insurance.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Hi Jeremy. Thanks for your comprehensive message. You’re certainly well qualified in diesel matters. I do have some nitrile gloves but didn’t use them but my hands weren’t particularly smelly. I did wonder about the mixing of the oil and diesel, so thanks for confirming that’s ok. I did switch the ignition on like you suggested and was fairly certain last year when the engineer did it, I heard it pumping but I heard nothing. I haven’t added any inhibitors to the diesel fuel. I think I have a partly used bottle on the boat. Does it date? Someone has suggested filling the secondary filter with Dextron 2 transmission fluid when changing it, as it cleans the injection pump and injectors. What do you think? Cheers Alan
My Narrowboat Venture
Alan, I have used ATF from time to time in that manner. However that was when I was in a shop with an ample supply. It didn’t involve having to make a special trip to get it and to store it if I didn’t use it all.
However if you run a proper fuel additive on a regular basis (when topping off the tank) then you needn’t bother.
Older diesel fuel previous to low sulfur and ultra low sulfur had better lubricity. Back then you’d regularly put ATF in the filters to clean up the fuel system during a service. However with modern diesel fuel many people run additives. Those additives do a few things. These additives clean the injectors, provide better lubricity, and improve cetane (like octane). The lubricity extends the life of the injection pump and injectors by reducing wear. They have very tight tolerances being they run at several thousand PSI so that fuel can be properly atomized for the combustion process. It’s been a few years but I think your injectors squirt at around 265 bar or 3843 PSI. Most newer automotive diesels run even higher pressure of around 30,000 PSI. Conversely, because gasoline is more flammable it requires less atomization and so petrol engines usually run their injection pressure at 200PSI or less.
Most fuel additives don’t expire but if they do then the bottle will say.
You’ll probably need two additives for the long term health of your fuel and to reduce wear on your injection system. The first being a biocide to prevent diesel tank algae. The second a general diesel fuel additive that adds Lubricity, cleans injectors and improves cetane.
I hope this has helped. I wish I could be specific about brands but I’m just not sure what’s available in the UK. The brand I prefer is made by PowerService but I’m not sure they are available there.
powerservice.com/products/
If you ever want to email me you’re welcome to. But let me know in a comment so I know to look for the email in case it gets caught in the spam filter. It’s Jeremy dot Kamel at outlook dot com
Cheers
Jeremy Kamel
Also, don’t be hard on yourself. You did just fine given it was your first time servicing your boat. Also with the problem of a bad fuel pump. I thought that your pump was a nice set up. Just remember you can for the most part bend that copper line into a tool that works for your gearbox. As long as you don’t make super tight bends and kink it then you’ll be able to brand it multiple times and get it to work for you. I’ve used many a copper pipe just like that.
Likely you want to follow the same track into the gearbox as what the drip stick takes. Then you’ll likely get to the bottom without hitting stuff and be able to get the oil out. Don’t worry your now going to hurt anything in there.
Do yourself a favor and either cut the end of the copper at and angle or notch a V in the end so it doesn’t sit down in the bottom and suction against the metal.
If that pump bottle gives to grief then you could even get yourself another pump like the one on your engine for your gearbox. Put a foot to two of rubber hose with a copper pipe on the end that is long enough to get to the bottom. That way you can your it down and around stuff and just stick the 8 or 10 inches of copper in. A chandlery can probably get you one or Jabsco Engine Oil Drain Pump www.amazon.com/dp/B000O8F0SU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MS89EbX63APT3
Hi Alan, I have been informed to use for the gearbox the same oil I use for the engine and after 1 year and 200 hours cruising the colour of the oil has hardly changed. The oil you took out of your gearbox is black and this is concerning in my opinion. You should investigate.
I was thinking the same thing when I saw the color of the oil. Hope no metal filings in it.
I agree it does look black in the video but it wasn't. It was a greenish yellow colour. I've got no cause to think there is any problem with the gearbox. Cheers
the oil in the gearbox is subject to a shearing force as the gear teeth it is coating engage. this is different to the engine and is why different oils are used. btw gear oil, hydraulic oil is the best penetrating fluid ever, forget wd40!!
Allan, The water in the canals looks dirty and nasty. What is the water quality in the canals?