Lucky

I couldn't agree with you more Neil - we had this exact conversation on the boat yeasterday about who actually makes what !! But, as the engineer said, the price difference for non-original parts, ie. the plastic bag - which is sometimes the only difference, is only pennies or a pound, its worth paying the slight extra - even when the engines are out of warranty - more so for piece of mind than anything else. If it was a major part, like an alternator (£250) or something like that, then its well worth looking for an alternative, especially if the original part is made by the same manufacturer - which happens quite a lot. By the way, if anyone needs a Volvo Penta keyswitch with key, give me a shout - I've just put my used one on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270542364273&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT I'll probably replace the other one as well as I like the comfort knowing that I have a spare key just in case.... Mark (mbird) - When you read this, when you come to change your belts, take a careful look at the power steering belt. When we came to change mine (only one on the KADS) the official Volvo belt was actually too long. We had to get an alternative supplier to suit. It would be interesting to see if you have the same problem....

No its fine Ian, I was only joking. Yes, I'm hoping that the legs will be ok, but time will tell !

Lots of things became obvious today in our 'Day Two' of servicing. This boat hasn't been serviced for a while - in fact, the belt that drives the power steering has never been changed, it actually had a fair amount of the original green paint that was put on the engine by Volvo prior to installation !!! Also, where servicing has happened in the past, non-Volvo parts were used. I'm not a fan of this - I think that if you are going to do a job properly then the original parts should be used, and not try to save 10% or so by using non-original parts. Only my view of course, everybody is entitled to their own, but I have always used original parts in the past for cars and boats. Everythings ok though, a thorough check on virtually every bit, and the engineer is back again tomorrow to finish off the impellor housing repair kit as there was a slight leak on both sides. The alternator power problem was just because we had the shore power plugged in at the time and is all working fine - in fact, the engines are in very very good condition especially considering the lack of servicing in the past ! So, after tomorrow, the next job is the servicing of the legs - just got to wait for a certain NBN member to get his boat out of my garage (Jim's place) so we can sort it out (only joking Ian)

Ah Mark - it was soooooo easy. On top of the secondly fuel filter is a nut. Undo this nut then below the filter and off to the side a bit is a lever. Pump this lever up and down until the fuel comes through (obviously without any bubbles) then put the nut on top. I can't beleive I am saying this, but it really IS easy ! A cloth on the floor to catch any dribbles of course and its done. He said that if you have any CLEAN fuel, to put them in the filters before putting them on, but this isn't always possible.

Well, the story goes on !!!!! The keyswitch was installed first thing yesterday morning and we started to get on with the service.... Then, all of a sudden..... broommmmmm !!!! Dam.... Problem returns. We now think it was the wiring at the end of the loom where it goes through the plastic box and into the white plastic connector that connects to the starter relay.. We bypassed the connectors at both ends (to be on the safe side) and now it looks like its ok..... time will tell. Strangely enough, the wiring loom on the other engine has had exactly the same treatment, so the Volvo engineer is going to try and find out if this is a common fault. Unfortunetly, the tracing took just over five hours yesterday, so we only got time to:- Change the primary and secondry fuel filters, change the oil and oil filters Are you impressed with me ? I know what these things are now !!! woo hoo !!!! Today its the rest of the service including impellers, every single belt, all the rest of the fluids and other stuff which I don't know yet !! Still, hopefully the bypass has solved the problem, otherwise we will have to either replace the whole wiring loom from the ignition to the electronic box, or simplier, run a new switch wire down there - you can guess which option I would prefer !! lol !! Another problem may of put its ugly head up though. the port side engine doesn't appear to be putting out a charge to the battery. The starboard is giving 30amps, but nothing to the port. We wouldn't of found this out normally as the boat is always on shore power, so we are going to whip off the alternator and take it to the shop to get it tested this morning. 'Alternator' - another thing I've learnt !! If anyone out there is like me and knows absolutley nothing about engines (and I'm sure there isn't), when you get your boat serviced, ask if you can help/watch - I've learnt so much yesterday - I even know what the turbo and superchargers now do !! Another bad point, is that 'we' and when I say we, I obvioulsy mean Richard the mechanic, has assertained that no way was this boat serviced last year, which I was told by the previous owner. Its a shame people have to lie, but I guess its the same as cars...

Yeah, he's great Ian !! He's the chap that I go trackday motorbiking all over Europe with - he hates flying and I'm probably the worst person to tell that to - I point out all the dodgey looking characters for him to worry about !! lol !!! So, so glad that we found the problem, as you say, could be very dangerous - and in fact, when the engine started on its own, we were sitting on the floor with our feet on the engine at the time ! I did start to wonder Mark !! lol !! Its like the 'washing machine repair man' the machines always work fine when you don't want them too !! I think it would of been virtually impossible to sort without it actually happening when he was here ! I've got Sky turning up this afternoon for a problem with our signal in the house. Most of the time we can't get a lot of the channels - every now and again it works perfectly. You know whats going to happen - chap turns up, everything works fine !! Oh well..... Thanks for all the suggestions on this thread, its been very helpful, if only to discount ideas as we went along !

Had an amazing stroke of luck yesterday !!!! I had arranged a mechanic to service the Sealine. He said he wanted to come and have a look prior to actually servicing the boat so popped in yesterday morning. While sitting there, with the engine covers off discussing what each part does (in very simplified terms for me of course) the port engine started all on its own !!!!!!!! I had already explained to him what had happened prior and he was at a total loss to suggestions - but what a stroke of luck - it actually happened while we were sitting there !! Result !!! Well, after about half an hour examining and tracing, he found the fault - there is a faulty keyswitch !! There was no way he could of found the intermittant fault unless it actually happened while he was there ! So, new keyswitch on order and should be fixed (and serviced) on Thursday. Then its coming out of the water at Beccles for the legs to be serviced too. The only other problem related to this was that the starter motor continued to run while the engine was running, so thats coming off on Thursday for an inspection to make sure its ok. You should of seen the smile on my face when it happened - I was starting to think I imagined it and no one had heard of this before !

That looks really good !! Glad your happy (but I knew you would be !!)

LOL !! I did that the other day and didn't notice that I had pulled the ring off the bank till the next day !!

I've been given conflicting advice regarding engines over the winter period. If you leave your boat in the water over winter, should you periodicly start the engines and leave them running for half hour or so ? Some people say that you should just leave them as diesel engines like to be put under load, and others say its good to run the engine to make sure everything is moving etc ? So, what's the official line, if there is one ?

A friend of mine is the Chairman of Prior Diesel at Great Yarmouth. They specialise in 'hard-core' volvo engines mostly for commercial use. However, they also have a non-commercial section for private users. If anyone needs Volvo spares, may I suggest you give them a call and you will receive a minimum of 10% discount on all items. Please mention me, and the Norfolk Broad forum so they will know who they are talking to. The person to talk to is Graham Hunt who is the parts Manager on 01493 441383 who will be pleased to help. They are also approved main dealers for:- Volvo Penta, Cummins, Perkins, Scania, Detroit Diesel, Caterpillar, Deutz, Lister Petter, MTU, Mercedes and JCB if its of interest. Their website is here:- http://www.PriorDiesel.com although that is obviously aimed at the commercial user. Hope this helps some in the quest to keep the bills down !

Wow - that first one is amazing !! Have any of you guys thought about putting your best pictures on one of those sites that sell them ? Apparently it doesn't cost anything to register and you may get a couple of bob !! I'm not a photographer by any means, but I do enjoy seeing these pictures on the site, so please don't give up - I'm waiting for one that really sparkles as I have a wall in the house that is crying out for something spectacular ! Keep them coming !

Ah, I just put in Kad42a with the year, so I'm guessing its the right one !!

Thanks for the link to the Volvo site Neil - Now downloaded a full engine manual for my Kad42's !! Makes excellent bath-time reading !!

Is that your cat in the pic Perry ? Ours is quite unsociable, but keeps getting closer and closer to the boat - Claire wants to put him on there, but I know he will just jump without looking first then 'someone' will have to jump in after him !!

Good point - I wish I had took "before" pictures because you soon forget what it looked like !!!

Hi Mark I'm really interested in how you do this Mark - hopefully you'll have it all sorted for Easter so I can have a look ! What size dingy did you get ? Also, once done, could you let me know what bits you bought, where, and how much please.. Luke.

I have absolutely no idea Mark - If anyone knows, please post it up !!!! I presumed it was to hold a liferaft or something like that, or prehaps extra fenders ?? We were going to take it off and patch up the holes, but it has become very handy as a handrail sort of thing when getting in and out of the boat, so it stayed !

Sounds good Paul - remember to let us know more details as it develops !! Luke

Always worth shopping about !! Just one thing though, whoever you get to supply/fit the decking, make sure you have the "borders" I notice on that web page Mark that the majority of pictures show decking without borders and I don't think this looks very nice:- Where as here is mine (with borders):- Obvously they all "do" decking with or without borders, I just think that although there would probably be a few pennies to be saved, it just doesn't look finished... Just my 2p worth..

Yes you could Chris, as long as you are handy with a knife !! Give Victor a ring, he'll let you know everything you need to know.

£1600 for a 31ft boat Chris..... and Yes, its well well worth it !!

No, don't use them !!! They were far too expensive !! I used MCProducts - send an email to sales@mcproducts.net for the attention of Victor - mention me, he may remember..... Once you have the quote, go into bartering mode !! His number is 0844 870 0892

We had/have the same problem. I bought a product called 'De-Mist' I think - made by the company that makes 'Rain-X' but that didn't work. We happened to have a hole in the dashboard from when a previous owner had fitted something in the past which needed covering, so I fitted one of those 12v demisters over the top. Haven't had a chance to see if it works as yet, I have a sneaky feeling that it won't !!

Well done guys !! Very glad it all went well !!! Fill her up and do it again !!!