4107 starting problem

Actionmat

Actionmat

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Hi,
We've just set off for a couple of weeks up the Thames and I've got an engine that doesn't want to star.
I had a solenoid that was clicking a few times before the engine would turn over, so I ordered a replacement(which looks different but worked). It was listed with parts4engines as a solenoid for a Perkins 4107.
It worked through 8 locks and then failed in Cookham. I put a multimeter on it and the new solenoid is dead, not even a clicking sound. Fortunately, I kept the old one, so I've it now starts, erratically.
Could I have bought a solenoid that's the wrong one? Have I just been unlucky and bought a duff one? Or could the problem be somewhere else?
Any advice would be appreciated. I could continue our holiday leaving the engine in in locks to prevent non starting, but I'd rather not.
I'm moored near DB marine. Are they likely to stock a new solenoid for an old boat like this?
Cheers
 
Hi

The soleniod on my old 4107 is the same pattern as the one fitted to my old clasic mini. The 4107 solenoid is the orriginal Lucas one, the mini has a far east copy which when when I rebuilt the engine took 3 trips to the motor factors to find new one that worked.

While you are looking for a reliable part you can always short the two studs on the solenoid (carefully) to bypass the solenoid contact.

Good luck
 
Those old Lucas solenoids are pretty tough pieces of kit. I've never had one fail. It would be worth looking around to see if the fault lies elsewhere. Possibilities include (1) poor or loose connections to the starter key; (2) poor connections or inadequate rated wiring between battery, solenoid and starter motor; (3) failing starter battery.

You say that you cannot hear the solenoid click in and you have "put a multimeter on it", but the symptoms you describe also sound rather like a problem with the starter motor. A dirty and partly stuck bendix gear that takes some effort to engage is a common reason for intermittent starting problems.
 
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There were at least 5 different starter motors fitted to 4107's. I have a 4107 in the boat and a spare engine in the garage. Totally different starters.

Some were of the type with a simple solenoid and with bendix type pinion engagements and some were solenoids with mechanical engagement of the pinion. The two types are not interchangeable.

Your pattern part solenoid may just have been a crummy part but it could also have died because the starter is drawing too much current and has burnt out the contacts.
 
Durite make a suitable solenoid fro about £50, but I bet your problem lies elsewhere. If it clicks you need to feel/measure what is happening at the starter motor at the time.
Please remember that the negative side of the circuit needs to be checked as well as the positive - these are isolated components - the return is not through the engine block ( at least it isn't on my 4108 - I assume the 4107 is the same.)
Get a nice high-wattage 12v lamp on flying leads with croc clips and connect it across the two terminals on the starter motor. If it doesn't light when you pick the solenoid, work back with each lead (separately) until the problem joint is found.
The solenoid on my engine only failed after being submerged in seawater for several hours -even then it was electrolysis that eroded one of the pillars...it worked fine underwater 'til the wire fell off.
 
I had a 4107 on my last boat. When the solenoid went I just bought a generic one from a car shop and fitted that - it worked fine. My starter motor did have a problem at one point, the engine would star from cold but if trying to start from warm it would display all the signs of a flat battery. After stripping everything down several times and replacing all the connections I sent the starter motor off to be rewound as a last resort even though it seemed to be visually ok. It turned out some of the inner windings had broken down and when warm the resistance increased to stop the starter turning over.
 
Actionmat said:
Hi,
We've just set off for a couple of weeks up the Thames and I've got an engine that doesn't want to star.
I had a solenoid that was clicking a few times before the engine would turn over, so I ordered a replacement(which looks different but worked). It was listed with parts4engines as a solenoid for a Perkins 4107.
It worked through 8 locks and then failed in Cookham. I put a multimeter on it and the new solenoid is dead, not even a clicking sound. Fortunately, I kept the old one, so I've it now starts, erratically.
Could I have bought a solenoid that's the wrong one? Have I just been unlucky and bought a duff one? Or could the problem be somewhere else?
Any advice would be appreciated. I could continue our holiday leaving the engine in in locks to prevent non starting, but I'd rather not.
I'm moored near DB marine. Are they likely to stock a new solenoid for an old boat like this?
Cheers
Click to expand...

As said it sounds like you got a rubbish chinese (carp) copy, google for a classic car dealer near and get a real one.
Any high current relay (solenoid) will do and I doubt its the wiring.
 
Thanks everyone for all your help. Having checked everything I'm sure the problem is the new £11 solenoid.
Sheridan Marine have a couple of types, so I'll pay them a visit on my way upstream.

This forum is a fantastic resource, I'd still be scratching my head without it. Thanks once again.
 
My 4108 starter has an adjustment on top that controls the solenoid contacts. If set wrong, the solenoid fires, but may not always turn the starter.
 
agree with every one re electrical connections
have you put a finger on the connections -or + to see if any are warm, it's a simple quick test to see if there is resistance
a lucas dealer should have the correct part in stock it should be around £40 to £50
 
Thankyou everyone for your input. My problem turned out to be two issues at once. The old solenoid was on the way out, but when I replaced it, the problem returned within a dozen start ups. So I put the old one back on and after a few tries it would start.

My Dad tested the new solenoid that I'd taken off and said it was fine. My cables are new and a test ruled connections out as the problem so I pulled the starter off. The inside of the starter was caked in muck, two of the coil springs that hold the brushes down were corroded and one was broken. I'm surprised it started at all.

I gave it a good clean up and replaced the four springs, there was plenty of wear left on the brushes so I just cleaned them and put the new solenoid back on. At long last, problem solved!
 
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