Boat Fault Finding - Marine Gearbox Problems

Finding canal boat faults - marine gearbox faults.

Fault Finding

Tony Brooks is an expert on Marine Diesel Engine & Boat Maintenance matters. Thanks to him and TB-Training for permission to reproduce these materials.

 We've got Faultfinding Checklists and over 150 answers to problems in the sections listed far right.

If you have a canalboat problem.

Tony may answer, time permitting, your problems concerning UK canalboat mechanical and electrical issues - Tony cannot answer questions about sea-going or overseas craft. Give him plenty of details about the problem, its background and your equipment. And don't be too impatient, remember this is a FREE service! Contact him via his website.
CANALBOAT FAULTS
General Problems
Electrical Problems
Propulsion Problems
Engine Problems
Cooling Problems
Smoke Problems
Faultfinding advice
GEARBOX OIL
I have a Bukh DV10 engine and have been trying to keep my gearbox oil topped up but find that the next day it has already dropped down and is not registering when I check it. Click to see answer
VOLVO PENTA GEARBOX PROBLEMS
I have a mechanical Penta gearbox on a Ford Escort 1.6 diesel engine, which is making grinding / grating noise when pushing into forward gear and an additional clanging noise when engaging reverse! Click to see answer
BMC GEARBOX COUPLING
We have just purchased a reconditioned BMC 1.5 engine with a gearbox attached. We have since discovered that the coupling which joins the gearbox to the propshaft is a different size so will not fit. Click to see answer
REPLACEMENT GEARBOX FOR BMC 2.5.
I have a BMC 2.5 diesel engine fitted to my 40 ft narrowboat and it is coupled to a BMC Commander gearbox which is not selecting gears properly .... is their another gearbox system I can use? Click to see answer
VOLVO PENTA GEARBOX
I recently purchased a volvo penta engine MD 7A No 23739 with MS gearbox No 64324..... Is there any way I can change the MS box so I can use it in the quiet gear?  Click to see answer
ENGINE SLIPPING INTO GEAR
We have a problem with the gears on our boat, it will idle quite happily for a long time then for no reason will slip into gear .. Click to see answer
YANMAR GEARBOX FAILURE
It appears that the drive cone (clutch) has failed. Before I remove the gearbox, could you briefly describe how the cone operates? Click to see answer
CHANGING A PROPELLER IN THE WATER
Is it possible to change the propshaft and propeller while the boat is in the water ?  Click to see answer
BMC 2.2 PROPELLER PROBLEMS
I went to buy a new propeller for my 27ft angling boat, dead simple I thought ? "1 14" propeller Please" Yeah right Twenty questions later of answers ... Click to see answer
BMC GEARBOX COUPLING
We have just purchased a reconditioned BMC 1.5 engine with a gearbox attached. We have since discovered that the coupling which joins the gearbox to the propshaft is a different size so will not fit. Click to see answer
REPLACEMENT GEARBOX FOR BMC 2.5.
I have a BMC 2.5 diesel engine fitted to my 40 ft narrowboat and it is coupled to a BMC Commander gearbox which is not selecting gears properly .... is their another gearbox system I can use? Click to see answer
VOLVO PENTA GEARBOX
I recently purchased a volvo penta engine MD 7A No 23739 with MS gearbox No 64324..... Is there any way I can change the MS box so I can use it in the quiet gear?  Click to see answer
ENGINE SLIPPING INTO GEAR
We have a problem with the gears on our boat, it will idle quite happily for a long time then for no reason will slip into gear .. Click to see answer
YANMAR GEARBOX FAILURE
It appears that the drive cone (clutch) has failed. Before I remove the gearbox, could you briefly describe how the cone operates? Click to see answer
STERN GLAND PROBLEMS
I'm getting a bit concerned about my stern gland. There's only about 3mm take-up left on the compression sleeve. I tweak it up a quarter-turn, and the dripping stops fine. But then after only a couple of days cruising the water is dripping in as a slow stream rather than slow single drips  .... Click to see answer
BMC 2.2 PROPELLER PROBLEMS
I went to buy a new propeller for my 27ft angling boat, dead simple I thought ? "1 14" propeller Please" Yeah right Twenty questions later of answers ... Click to see answer
LEAKING PROPSHAFT GLAND
The gland packing on the prop shaft is leaking and we have found the engine under water in more than one occasion, will ptfe gland packing generally cure this leak if we strip down the area affected? Click to see answer
BOW THRUSTER PROBLEM
I purchased a 72' Narrowboat last year with a Vetus3kW Bow Prop. Last weekend some debris caused the failure of the prop. The motor appears to spin but the prop doesn't rotate. Click to see answer
CHANGING A PROPELLER IN THE WATER
Is it possible to change the propshaft and propeller while the boat is in the water ?  Click to see answer
LOSS OF POWER
I have a Hampton Safari (with a BMC 1.8) and had to have a replacement gearbox fitted due to the old age of the original. From installation there has been a distinct loss of power. Click to see answer


back to our main menu.
tell Tony your problem
back to fault finding
back to Boats & Services

All materials and images
© Canal Junction Ltd.
No unauthorised reproduction.