Perkins 4-108 starter problems

[keelhauled]

Ive had some major problems all last year due to starters letting me down. On my engine the starter is mounted low but only splashes from the bilge as well as condensation affects it, i think!!!! Also i dont think ive been supplied with marine starters. Can that happen??? Ive no confidence in the starters anymore when going to sea and thinking of repowering or taking the starter off every time i dock. HELP PLEASE

 

[William_H]

You don't say what kind of starter problems you are having. If it is just poor cranking speed it is more likely to be an electrical problem either batteries or wiring circuit between. Ordinary auto starters are I think most common in boats and give very little trouble. If it is the starter then suggest remove and dismantle overhaul and coat liberally with grease where there are signs of rust and corrosion. Any water problems should be very obvious. If that fails try another starter even S/H. Persevere after all the starter ios hardly micro electroics. good luck will

 

[oldharry]

Poor cranking speed is far more likely to be the associated wiring which has to carry a very heavy load, so must be perfect.

Check each connection, and clean it up thoroughly, paying particular attention to the batterry terminals. Then follow the return path on the negative side. Check that the earthing strap connections are not corroded.

Using a Digital multimeter, set to 12 volts or less, connect it from the battery terminal (not the connector) and put the black lead to the actual terminal (not the connector) of the starter. You should not get more than .25 volt reading. If so the contacts are bad.

Now with the electrics switched on, do the same test, putting the DVM red lead to the engine, and the black lead to the battery post (again - NOT the connector). AGain if more than .25 volts, that is where the problem lies. One way of identifying a bad connection is that it gets hot - sometimes smoking hot - on cranking load. crank the engine over for 20 seconds, and (carefully!) check whether the connectors have become warm.

If this does not soleve your problems then the starter itself needs attention. However what you say suggests you have tried several starters - which means the problem is not the starters!

Have you had your battery checked? Is it still able to deliver the current needed to turn the engine? A heavy discharge test at the local garage, or auto-electrical specialist will take 30 seconds and tell you whether the battery is up to the mark.

Mechanical problems in the starter (sticky solenoid, or sticky pre-engaging mechanism) is solved by maintenance.

Even non marine starters are pretty tough, and well waterproofed - think about what is happening to your car starter on a wet day each time you go throug a puddle!

Marine ones simply have a higher corrosion resistance, using corrosion resistant materials instead of mild steel for such items as the brush springs.

One other point, if the engine is cranking at a good speed and still not starting, then the problem is in the engine, not in the starter, and you need to be looking elsewhere.

Its always helpful when asking for help in these forums to describe what is actually happening - gives us a better chance of giving you the right advice!

 

[robind]

Check out that your battery is actually getting charged too. You may have a fault with the "alternator" or control box to it?
Rob

 

[castaway]

The first year with my present boat, fitted with a 4108, I had charging problems which eventually turned out to be a poor connection on the back of the ammeter, the connections were in a hard to get at spot, and the location of the problem was only identified when the ammeter started to melt.

The result of all this trouble was that I started to carry a 'starter pack' around on the boat to get me out of trouble if she developed a flat battery.

The reason I mention this is that on a few occasions I resorted to connecting the pack direct....that is positive cable on the pack direct on to the terminal on the starter motor and then wack the neg cable on to a good earth on the engine.

This ensured a good flow of power outside of all your boat cabling and would certainly identify if the problem was with the battery,cables or starter motor.

I know it is a bit on the crude side, but it works. Starter packs are available for around £25,.

Nick

www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather

 

[pappaecho]

Starters on the 4108 are of two types. Either the old bendix wheel type which has a habit of not engaging, if the teeth are damaged, or if the shaft is not properly greased (specially in a marine situation) .Later models had a pre-engaged type of starter, which tend to be more reliable. 4108 were fitted to both Landrovers and to London taxis, and they both had hard lives, starter wise.
I do not know what specifically the problem you have had, and it would be useful to know so that specific advice can be given.

 

[Guest]

My starter has had a dual life ... going from a 4-99 then onto my 4107 ..... both have started well on it.
It has been to the 'cleaners' once - as it was full of water and fuel after the boat was flooded ..... came back and is looking like new - and works like new ....

Suggest that problem may lie elsewhere .... mine is NOT marine grade ....... I'm not planning on wasting any money on that Marine Grade Label .... !!
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[Johnjo]

[ QUOTE ]
On my engine the starter is mounted low but only splashes from the bilge as well as condensation affects it, i think!

[/ QUOTE ]

If you have enough water in the bilge to splash the starter, do you have enough for the flywheel to pick it up inside the bellhousing and transfer it on to the bendix of the starter whereby it will run into the inside of the starter ?

 

[huggy]

is the problem only from cold? check out the starting aid....it has a glow plug and should take about 20seconds to heat up...it actually causes a primed amount of diesel to flame you can hear it pop and see it smoke)and then u should engage starter with thottle wide open. upon firing..if indeed she does, reduce revs atraight away to tick over. Ive got a workshop manual if you want any section copied

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
Ive had some major problems all last year due to starters letting me down. On my engine the starter is mounted low but only splashes from the bilge as well as condensation affects it, i think!!!! Also i dont think ive been supplied with marine starters. Can that happen??? Ive no confidence in the starters anymore when going to sea and thinking of repowering or taking the starter off every time i dock. HELP PLEASE

[/ QUOTE ]I might be way off course here but If I remember correctly there is a filter mounted above the starter on the 4107 / 4108 and any leakage drips fuel onto the motor. I have hust overhauled one of a 4107 for an associate and all it needed was a good clean to get rid of all the diesel / crud of the commutator and brushes. I did not even have to skim the commutator. Check where the contamination is coming from, clean the motor or have it serviced and seal it on reassembly.
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[keelhauled]

Thanks guys, a wealth of information, hopefully this will be a better year now i put this in practice.
Safe sailing

 

[Guest]

Filter over starter ....

Exactly ..... my starter when it was cleaned was full of diesel and water .... diesel from the leaky filter above it, water from the bilges just below it .....

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