annv

Hi Valve stem seals are not designed to seal but stop to much oil running down the stem and being sucked into the combustion chambers, BMC seals do seal but they are fitted under valve cap collets as the top of the valve spring cap is dished and collects oil. Perkins ones are just a shroud to stop to much oil running down the inlet valve, you need some on the stem for lubrication purposes. if old ones are just hard but complet reuse them, at worst you my use a little more oil, worn valve stems are much more likely oil users, keeping the valve cover clean with yearly oil changes is much more important to stop a build up of crud around the valves as well as removing acides from the oil when engines are under used.This highlights the best practise to have a stock off consumables items while still available on older less common engines. Have you tried boat yards or engine reconditioners. There's one or was one at Soham Nr Ely Cambs.( afraid i have forgotten the name) John

Hippersons has FAME fuel from Shell thats why its a few pence dearer,You dont need an additive.. Moor at the first pontoon on the left as you sail in from the river, ( in front of the wet shed) then if no body there walk round to the office or phone for service. they do water, pumpout and gas as well as fuel. John

Ours has white flowers so must be allowed it came from a garden centre, although ours has more pointed leaves, smells ok!. John

We have a large one of those in a pot in our Lounge. John

Hi Cris It wont do any harm to give it a dose of additive, as to water tank fill it with a few gallons so you can run all the taps if ok fill tank with Aqua tabs added when tank is quarter to half full run all the taps until dosed water comes out and leave when tank is full let it stand for a day or so then either empty or use the dosed water it wont do any harm for washing up or flushing toilet ( we dont drink from our tank we have a separate container) Its a good idea that when you get your pennant fit it to a pole on the Bow rail so that is a inch higher than your highest part of the boat, so that if when going under a bridge if pole goes through boat will, but if pole touches you will have time to reverse before any contact happens. John

Hi Grendel Galleons boat yard or Hipperson's boat yard are the only practical and safe places with easy access to (Guess) your boat. John

Hi troggy If they are arriving by car, the car parking at Richardson's is a lot better and safer and they wont have to carry there luggage to the boat they will either be able to park next to the boat or use a trolley. there are various places near by if they are arriving a day or so later to occupy you until they arrive near by. John

Hi Be aware that Wavestream filters require a stronger pump and as they collect any oils they gradually become blocked and stop the pump from working. you dont need a filter fitted to a bilge pump, engines should now have a tray or a self contained space under the engine and gear box to collect and hold all drips. Bilge filters were used before this requirement for a contained space/tray came into force on all inland water ways. If they become blocked they will stop the pump from working and could possibly sink your boat . John

Hi John it could be a rudder indicator on/of. John

Hi Or distances. John

Hi Peter have a look at Sterling Power Products web site, i have used these for years with no problems they have a phone line for advice and offer same day repair/replacement if you get to there site (Droitwich) before 10am, i have always had problems in getting Victron repaired. They come from Holland. And diode's are not ideal relays are much better. John

Hi According to the diagram it is used as a jump start devise to beef up the starter battery (or in your case the bow thruster) and could flatten both battery's, you dont need it to run the bow thruster you do need a automotive battery not a leisure battery, and you will need a charge relay to charge the thruster battery from one or both of your alternators. if you fit a charge combiner both alternators will recharge your battery's quicker. John

Hi Peter in your case with two engines i would charge engine battery from one engine and domestics from the other engine which will only need for one modified regulator on this engine then if you have to charge domestic bank up while moored you only need start the one engine. John

Hi Peter Also just to add battery's dont like being left unused, its good practice to wire your battery's up to a battery maintainer or solar panel just to keep them fully charged over the lay up period otherwise over time they self discharge and die, and wont take a charge, which i suspect has happened in your case. ideally you only need one engine battery and up to four domestic battery's for the average broads boat, these need to be charged via a alternator with a modified regulator to maximize the charge rate for shortest engine running time, or even better two alternators as fitted now to new boats. this then only requires two battery isolator switches, by keeping it simple makes for greater reliability and less stress. John

Hi Peter The thruster battery's often dont get maintained as they are often tucked away my advice would be to remove the battery and power it from the engine battery vie 100amp welding/battery cable this removes all the maintance and auxiliary switches, fuses, relays etc. the cost will be the same or less than a new battery John

I have a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard along with a combi boiler, this then allows me to have free hot water from my solar panels, i dont need a water tank in the loft as its all mains water pressure works very well. As to gas being turned of to existing property's is pie in the sky, electric central heating has a long way to go. John

Andrew you should try mine it weighs 90Kg, it does have the advantage of never loosing it's grip on the river bed. John

Hi It's also good practice to smear brake grease on the inside of alloy wheels were they come in contact with the hub this stops them corroding to the hub and prevents easy wheel removal in the future. John

It is usual to smear copper slip(or similar) on all moving surfaces to stop rusting and friction. Even more important on vehicles left parked for extended periods. John

The one thing it will do is make more likely that there will be a mooring available when you arrive, there has been many times when i have not been able to moor when i arrive as they were full then having to mud weight spend time looking for some one to leave then racing to get there before others with the same idea. John

I didn't notice a shovel in his kit so rather then dig a hole he probably dogged it. John

A mud weight is also useful when stern on mooring, by dropping the weight 5 foot from the bank( or sooner if high cross wind) will stop you from swinging from side to side and bumping the bank while moored this will give you a quieter nights sleep. John

Why does every body have to light a fire what's wrong with a hexy burner and why transfer the cooked food onto a cold plate better to eat from the pan. John

Jeremy Clarkson did a very good show on top gear by filling the Mall in London with all the vehicles still made in England. It was very impressive with the amount still made here. John

Hi When mud weighting dont drop the weight straight down as you will get splashed but swing/throw it away from the boat, when choosing a spot allow for the boat to swing 360 degrees without hitting the bank or another boat ,finally allow enough slack in the rope for a rise in tide if not weighting at high tide, other wise you may wake up in a different spot as the weight is pulled up by rising tide, when retrieving the weight if stuck in the mud tighten rope of on the cleat then gently drive boat forwards/rearwards to break suction when free pull weight up, if covered in mud leave it hanging just below water line then drive of retrieving it when it has been washed clean by movement through the water. John