Beta 43 engine has a major fault

THERE is little doubt that with the number of failures reported of the main drive pulley on the Beta 43 narrowboat engine, it has a major fault.

We are now hearing of many boaters who have suffered breakdowns by its pulley failing, with one boater having had no less than five repairs!

Still no guarantee

This boater, Julie Bedell on Nb Greyfisher told narrowboatworld:

With reference to the problem of pulleys and the Beta 43 set-up. We have had four repairs by two engineers, (including new aluminium pulleys, liquid metal and new woodruff keys) culminating last summer (No 5) in having our engine taken out, crankshaft reground and a ' twice' the depth new woodruff key fitted, still with no guarantee that the problem has been resolved.

This problem is well documented. Our problems started at approximately 4.5k engine hours (now 13.5k hours) . We never use high draw equipment until the batteries are fully charged. Never run the heater in the washing machine, choosing to use the shower hose and hot water generated by the engine. Also take a winter mooring with hook-up instead of cruising.

Beta have no interest

Yet we realise because of the pulley to crankshaft ratio there is a very good chance that the woodruff key will fly out again removing the front pulleys. As far as RCR is concerned we don't bother to call them for something this difficult. Last of their chaps looked at it, frowned, scratched his head , said "The engine's in a box." Conversation went down-hill from there.

My sympathy to anyone with the pulley problem. Beta have no interest in looking after its customers who have experienced breaking down with duff pulleys. Mainly because there could be as many as 20k engines with this problem.