Aug 26tth
There was a treat in store today. The Sandiacre Lock Cottage was open for folk to view. It's usually open on the third Sunday in every month, as well as Bank Holidays, and today, of course, was one of those. The cottage, dating 1779, has loads of photos from when the canal was restored as well as many a researched artefact, it's a wonderful glimpse of the Erewash canal's heritage. I went with my camera and very glad I did because, performing for the public outside the cottage, were several ladies of a certain age showing how to belly dance!
I had a most enjoyable morning looking around and Ian, supposedly doing all the jobs he had set himself at our bungalow, spent half the time greeting and chatting to old friends and neighbours.
So, back to that engine of ours, it had another problem. Ian decided to check the thermostat and found the rubber seal had perished. Water was seeping out, which could contribute to the engine not running at high enough temperature. Not understanding why it had to run hot, I read about it HERE
It relates more to a lorry engine, but I expect all diesel engines are more or less the same. So in brief,
It results in filter clogs, reduced fuel flow, and engine damage.
Now, one would think it would be easy to find a replacement thermostat. But no...Motor factors, Halford and other motoring outlets all wanted a car registration number and no matter haw many times he explained it was for a boat engine, it was more than their job was worth to even go and look for one. He even put our old moggie thousand reg in as he felt sure the same thermostat was in that car (how he remembered that car's registration number from the early 70s remains a mystery, especially as he can't even remember what happened a day or two ago) and the answer came back, the records didn't go that far back!
We also had a phone call from Gee Diesel Services to say the injector had arrived...oh goody....but it was faulty and had to be returned...oh blast! So we won't be setting off anytime soon. I still hope for Thursday, but I'm not holding my breath now!
6 comments:
I see you have a marinised Isuzu industrial engine. If you know the model of the base unit it should be possible to find parts from that. This might help:
https://www.enginesplus.co.uk/isuzu-canal-boat-engines/
And I found this old post with more information:
https://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/topic/84385-isuzu-42-thermostat/
Car suppliers can't or won't help because mechanically injected engines haven't been fitted in cars & vans for at least 20 years, since they don't meet current emission standards. But they will be found in things like Fork lift trucks - my mate has one!
What is the thinking behind needing a car rego number? Seems weird! And has Ian tried phoning boatyards to ask how they source these things?
Mxx
@ Marilyn - These days (virtually) all parts suppliers make use of the UK vehicle registration database. When they query it for your registration it shows the VIN* number, which then identifies the exact model and specification of that particular vehicle. This isn't infallible, but, normally saves them asking all sorts of questions such as the model year, engine size & power, gearbox type, etc.
*VIN = Vehicle Identification Number - this is stamped on a metal plate fixed to every vehicle, usually under the bonnet or by a door opening.
It's the part number they need because there are so many engines with different thermostats. They may have had the right one for us but would not look through their stock to try and find one to match!
Thanks for the info, Dave.
Thanks for the explanation, Dave. Makes sense but does do away with the building up of knowledge in people's minds/memories. I liked the days when you could say to a motor factor 'I've got an LPSW4' and have them know what part I needed when I explained the problem... I worry that we are becoming too dependent on databases instead of our brains.
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