Perkins 4-107

[Guest]

I have recently bought a Romany 21 with a Perkins 4-107 diesel engine.It has a small tank leading to a glow plug for cold start.Could anyone tell me what should be put in this tank.The people I have asked have said they think it should be parafin.

rvmatthews

 

[Jcorstorphine]

I am sure that parafin is incorrect. The small tank is for the pre-heat system. In the Perkins this was a glow plug in the inlet manifold which was heated and a small amount of fuel leaked in though a small valve (i think) When the engines was turned over it drew in a mixture of air and diesel fuel vapour to assist starting. I am sure that this was always diesel and not paraffin.

 

[Guest]

This is the cold start reservoir. Early engines had a container that had to be topped up manually with DIESEL. NOT Parafin.
Later models had an in-line reservoir supplied via the diesel return to the tank.
Later models still, dispensed with the reservoir altogether and simply fed the 'Thermostart' (to give it it's correct name) directly from the unused outlet on the engine fuel filter head. You can easily convet your engine to this spec' and discard the reservoir.
Peter

Peter

 

[PeteMcK]

Sounds similar to the arrangement on the diesel version of the old grey Fergie tractor where diesel was vapourised by a plug in the inlet manifold (I think you had to pump it manually - can't quite remember), and are they by any chance related?! Probably should be diesel - paraffin MIGHT be ok, or better, or more dangerous!

 

[dick_james]

Very interesting, I wouldn't mind getting rid of the resevoir on my 108. Do you have any more detail? eg is there residual pressure in the filter head to pump fuel up into the thermostart or do you have to be cranking the engine?

 

[Guest]

YOU PUT THE SAME DIESEL AS IN MAIN TANK

Do not put anything except Diesel in it.

It is based on :
The pipe is connected to a 'heat activated valve', that when you hold the switch in 'heat' postion for about 15-20 seconds, a dribble of diesel is allowed to 'ignite' with a pop on the glow element. You may be able to hear the 'Pop' if its all quiet around ! If not wait 20 seconds and then hit the start. Basically it pulls the flame down into the engine and bingo .... away you go !

If it don't start first time, try again.

You are actually lucky to have the pot still fitted, as I, like many boats haven't got it .... as many engines didn't have the height above clear to fit it. I wish I had it, as I am fed up with Easy Start !