Perkins 4107 engine overheating

[bumblebeazy1]

Hi
we have tried everything.

head gasket replaced
new impeller
new drive belt
checked water pump and strainer
run ridlyme through salt water side of heat exchanger
run radiator flush through coolant side of heat exchanger
new thermostat

still overheating at 95+ after an hour of motoring through Hurst, although this is a reduction of 5 degrees since the radiator flush

any thoughts?

thanks in advance
Bea

 

[scottie]

Checking that the thermostat is opening at correct temp is a basic along with confirming what temp the engine is running at
As the engine is not in its first flush of youth and maybe evolving into a money pit perhaps stepping back and reappraising may be due!

 

[Rappey]

Have you checked the engines freshwater water pump?
Is your temp gauge over reading ?

 

[RichardS]

Definitely check/replace the thermostat.

Is the water coming out of the exhaust cool or warm and what is the volume like? If it stays cool that might suggest that the freshwater system is not getting the heat through to the heat exchanger. If it's getting hot, then perhaps the volume of seawater passing through the heat exchanger is insufficient for one reason or another.

Richard

 

[Beneteau381]

Hi
we have tried everything.

head gasket replaced
new impeller
new drive belt
checked water pump and strainer
run ridlyme through salt water side of heat exchanger
run radiator flush through coolant side of heat exchanger

still overheating at 95+ after an hour of motoring through Hurst, although this is a reduction of 5 degrees since the radiator flush

any thoughts?

thanks in advance
Bea

I was involved in a big mobo saga like this. The yard had cleaned the intercooler BUT hadnt cleaned the outside of the tubes, just flushed the system. It turned out that someone had put new gen antifreeze in, ithad formed a jelly on the outside of the tubes! Cost him new pumps, cyl headskim etc €10k for a simple job!

 

[bumblebeazy1]

Checking that the thermostat is opening at correct temp is a basic along with confirming what temp the engine is running at
As the engine is not in its first flush of youth and maybe evolving into a money pit perhaps stepping back and reappraising may be due!

Hi
its a new thermostat
thanks
bea

I was involved in a big mobo saga like this. The yard had cleaned the intercooler BUT hadnt cleaned the outside of the tubes, just flushed the system. It turned out that someone had put new gen antifreeze in, ithad formed a jelly on the outside of the tubes! Cost him new pumps, cyl headskim etc €10k for a simple job!

there was a slight improvement after the radiator flush as there was noticeable goo or slime in the freshwater side/coolant. Do you know of any products that are good to remove this?
thanks
Bea

 

[Beneteau381]

Hi
its a new thermostat
thanks
bea


there was a slight improvement after the radiator flush as there was noticeable goo or slime in the freshwater side/coolant. Do you know of any products that are good to remove this?
thanks
Bea

Sorry no. It took physical removal of the tube stack, not a difficukt job really

 

[AndrewB]

Thermostat - was it a NEW new one, or one you'd had in the spares box for years? The rubber collar perishes. I spent a month stuck in a remote spot in North Carolina trying to work that one out. The only "marine" engineer had no clue. Eventually I cracked the head with repeated failed attempts to solve the problem. Luckily there was a tractor workshop not far away where not only did I get a cheap replacement head, but also a new thermostat.

Another odd cause I once had, one of the head nuts fouled the header tank unless it was in exactly the right point of rotation. Not obvious when testing but under load the slight leak and loss of cooling water would cause the engine to overheat after about half an hour. Solved by fitting a different washer under the head nut.

 

[Ink]

Hi
we have tried everything.

head gasket replaced
new impeller
new drive belt
checked water pump and strainer
run ridlyme through salt water side of heat exchanger
run radiator flush through coolant side of heat exchanger
new thermostat

still overheating at 95+ after an hour of motoring through Hurst, although this is a reduction of 5 degrees since the radiator flush

any thoughts?

thanks in advance
Bea

Injection bend? Or other obstruction in exhaust side? Any sign of steam from exhaust?

Ink

 

[Refueler]

I was involved in a big mobo saga like this. The yard had cleaned the intercooler BUT hadnt cleaned the outside of the tubes, just flushed the system. It turned out that someone had put new gen antifreeze in, ithad formed a jelly on the outside of the tubes! Cost him new pumps, cyl headskim etc €10k for a simple job!

This is a 4-107 ........ tractor engine .... London Black Cab engine ..... 1950's design !

First thing I did with mine when it replaced the 4-99 - removed the heat exchanger and closed cooling ..... made it raw cooling by using the same pump ... removed the thermostat .....

Results ? Best thing I ever did .................... engine runs cool ........... purrs like a kitten.

Why ? The 4-99 which had the Perkins Heat Exchanger same as all 4 series .. failed internally and its was not doing its job. An old boy who knew a lot more about these 'tractor engines' pointed at the heat exchanger and just shook head .... said ... "Laddie - take my advice - get rid of it ..."

I know some will argue .... but it really cured all my problems ...

 

[john_q]

radiator/reservoir cap still ok?

 

[kalanka]

I had an intractable overheating problem that I finally solved by buying a cheap IR thermometer and measuring the upstream and downstream temperatures around every component in the coolant circuit.

This made it clear that the problem was with the circulation pump. I dismantled it a second time and found that the impeller would slip on its shaft when warm and under load but appeared normal for a cursory inspection. Different engine (VP 2003) but the diagnostic method should work for you.

 

[bumblebeazy1]

Still having issues. After 2nd radiator flush we thought brought the temp down but on the last sail it hit 100 again after 30 mins under load. Still looking for any more ideas??

 

[Refueler]

Still having issues. After 2nd radiator flush we thought brought the temp down but on the last sail it hit 100 again after 30 mins under load. Still looking for any more ideas??

If thats 100 C ... that's definitely not good ! If its 100 F ... then its ok.

What sort of water flow do you have out the exhaust ?

You should at cruising revs be similar to what a hand bilge pump gives ... the water pump on the 4 series are powerful enough to pump out flooded bilges ... in fact even Perkins talk about regulating the water intake valve.

Thats at idle on mine ... ignore the smoke - she always does for first minute or so.

If you have a good water flow out exhaust - then it comes down to the engine water system or the gearbox heat exchanger ...

Even though its a closed system on yours - I would remove thermostat and try again .. see what you get ... (personally I would not have a thermostat in ... but that's me !! )

 

[pcatterall]

I had an intractable overheating problem that I finally solved by buying a cheap IR thermometer and measuring the upstream and downstream temperatures around every component in the coolant circuit.

This made it clear that the problem was with the circulation pump. I dismantled it a second time and found that the impeller would slip on its shaft when warm and under load but appeared normal for a cursory inspection. Different engine (VP 2003) but the diagnostic method should work for you.

Good idea!.... divide and rule! Also ensuring that the ejected sea water temp is as it should be. If it is OK then look for a problem on the engine coolant side or exchanger.
My only overheat problem with my 4108 was rust build up in an elbow reducing flow area by about 75% !

 

[PCUK]

This is a 4-107 ........ tractor engine .... London Black Cab engine ..... 1950's design !

First thing I did with mine when it replaced the 4-99 - removed the heat exchanger and closed cooling ..... made it raw cooling by using the same pump ... removed the thermostat .....

Results ? Best thing I ever did .................... engine runs cool ........... purrs like a kitten.

Why ? The 4-99 which had the Perkins Heat Exchanger same as all 4 series .. failed internally and its was not doing its job. An old boy who knew a lot more about these 'tractor engines' pointed at the heat exchanger and just shook head .... said ... "Laddie - take my advice - get rid of it ..."

I know some will argue .... but it really cured all my problems ...

As it's got wet liners, this will cause them to corrode through so not a good long term idea!

 

[Loopy]

Hi
we have tried everything.

head gasket replaced
new impeller
new drive belt
checked water pump and strainer
run ridlyme through salt water side of heat exchanger
run radiator flush through coolant side of heat exchanger
new thermostat

still overheating at 95+ after an hour of motoring through Hurst, although this is a reduction of 5 degrees since the radiator flush

any thoughts?

thanks in advance
Bea

Does your prop have the correct diameter and pitch for the boat and engine?

 

[Boater Sam]

Have you descaled the other side of the heat exchanger?
Are there bits of a chewed up impeller stuck in the tubes?

 

[Forty_Two]

Also check for delamination in any rubber hoses. I had that last year.

 

[Boater Sam]

Also check for delamination in any rubber hoses. I had that last year.

Good point, the exhaust hose is prone to internal collapse. It can look fine and be almost closed, but the lack of cooling water going overboard should tell you.