BMC 1.8 Engine Rebuild

Update - August 2022

Having now cruised the boat for the past several months, the engine is an absolute dream. I can manoeuvre into and out of locks really easily and have great control even at tickover speed. I've clocked up about 420 hours to date. I've pushed the engine beyond 2000 revs which equates to about 4mph. My comfortable cruising speed is about 2mph which is about 1500 revs on the engine. 

Prior to December 2021

For those of you who have heard my engine in previous vlogs, you’ll appreciate why I needed to get the engine completely overhauled. In fact, according to the engineers, my poor old engine was on it’s last legs and they were surprised that I made it as far as I did. 

I wanted to share this info as this what happens when you don’t properly maintain your diesel engine. This poor old engine has been neglected beyond belief. 

I booked the engine way back in September with Calcutt Boats. They are the BMC specialists with an impeccable reputation. Since they first opened 1976, they have worked on 2500 engines. 

While I wasn’t officially allowed in the workshop, I did spend quite a bit of time in there, observing the engineer and asking lots of questions. In fact, I’ve learned more about diesel engines in a few days than I have ever in my entire life. What a fascinating piece of machinery. Now I understand my engine and not only how to maintain it but why I should properly maintain it. And what happens when you don’t. 



I've kept the old cam shaft as a souvenir to remind me and others what happens when you don't change the oil regularly or you let it run dry of oil. 

For anyone wishing to obtain BMC engine repairs should contact Calctutt Boats directly. 

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