Q
Why does it
stutter?
I’ve had excellent service
from my Volvo diesel for
years, but recently it’s started
playing up. It fires up well
enough and idles perfectly,
even if you blip the throttle.
It also drives the boat along
deviation and, like magnetic without any problems – but
compasses, even fluxgate only for a while.
compasses are more accurate After a fairly short time
when taking measurements it begins slowing noticeably then
closer to south than north (in the picks up again before slowing down filters. Remember, there should be two
northern hemisphere). again. Apart from anything else, it’s of them; one attached to the engine itself
There are three main snags. First, terribly annoying. and another that incorporates a water
they may be slow to respond if moved Any ideas? separator, in the fuel line.
about too quickly. Second, and most Brian Simpson, Troon If they’re badly contaminated, merely
importantly, they must be held absolutely replacing them should solve the problem
level, which is extremely difficult at
sea. Third, if the battery fails they won’t
A
It’s almost certainly fuel starvation; – as long as you don’t have any nasties
these are the classic symptoms, in the tank.
work at all. On that basis, whatever you because it’s only when the engine starts There’s one final check you should
decide, it’s worth keeping a good old turning the prop in anger, under load, that make. Have a look at the vent in the tank.
fashioned mechanical compass on board the flow needs to dramatically increase. If it’s blocked, that could be enough to
just in case. Just revving up in neutral won’t do it. cause problems.
RW The obvious culprits are blocked RW
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How not to get totally brassed off!
W
hen I bought my elderly the whole effect. use, but the easier than I ever
classic ketch a few years At one point I was buying so traditional stuff imagined. All you do is
ago, I was expecting a lot of much metal polish that I’m sure is a bit fragile degrease the surface
upkeep and maintenance, my local ironmonger thought I was and soon goes and use an acrylic
particularly with the brightwork, but drinking the stuff. It also played crinkly (or at least lacquer. In case you’ve
never realised that brass portholes havoc with my fingers, which were mine did) and never come across it,
and vents could be such a pain. stained a permanent and fetching polyurethanes motor accessory shops
They look great when they’ve just shade of black. (Yes, I know I are incredibly sell it in spray can form
been polished, of course, but a should have worn gloves, but it’s a difficult to to protect alloy wheels.
marine environment quickly takes bit late now.) remove. It’s also It’s incredibly easy to
its toll and unless you work on Anyhow, the first alternative I difficult to get either type to adhere use and is completely clear, which
them almost every week, they tried was varnish, because that’s to polished metal. lets the shine show through.
quickly get tarnished and it ruins what everyone says you should In the end, the answer was Adrian Cartwright, Windsor
July 09 Sailing Today 107
ST147 Q&
A_RTG.indd 5 15/5/09 11:51:47
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