PERKINS 4108

[Breoch]

Can any one tell me the HP rating and actual cc of the Perkins 4108 and are spares still available.

Looking at a replacement boat and she has one of these fitted which the owner assures me is fine.


Glen

 

[colvic]

Isn't it much like the BMC range?

Cheers

Phil

 

[tr7v8]

Power output will be around 45-50HP depending on type version etc. Capacity is from type number 4= no. of cylinders, 108 is capacity of engine in cubic inches eg 108Cu Ins = 1792.8CC. Spares should b very available as absolutely loads made and used in boats, geny sets, earthmovers etc. When Clive N was buying bits for his Perkins we found the biggies fairly poor on service and knowledge, try GMS in Medway, Clive will have number if you can't find it, otherwise, Golden Arrow Marine, DB Marine in Marlow etc. Ring Perkins in Peterborough and they'll give you your nearest dealer.
Watch for cracked heats and overheating as they were notorius for it.

Jim
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[Forbsie]

You could have a look Tender to...

 

[AndrewB]

No problems getting spares both new and second-hand. Moreover, there is no better engine for finding spares or getting service worldwide, as they were also fitted in light agricultural machines internationally.

These engines have a reputation for reliability and longevity. One bugbear though is a tendancy to leak oil. Older ones may have been marinised, not always done that well. If you can get the engine number (its on the front left hand side of the engine block), a Perkins dealer will be able to tell you its age and something about the engine's history.

 

[Guest]

Post deleted by danfoley

 

[PeteMcK]

No!

Like? Yes. Same technology, Ricardo pre-chambers, Lucas-CAV electrics and fuel bits, and in many marinised cases, Bowman heat exchangers and Jabsco pumps. Completely different core engines though. Whether any more robust than the 1.5, 1.8 and 2.2 BMCs is debatable and the Perkins fan club may. The global availability of 4-108 spares is apparently undisputed.

 

[airbubble]

When matching a propeller to a Perky we always use 38 bhp@3000 rpm, although indeed higher revs and therefore more hp can be had.
Spares easily available.

 

[stubate]

the 4108 refers to the number of cylinders and capacity in cubic inches.
stu

 

[tr7v8]

Re: No!

Have seen too many snapped cranks in 2.2 BMC Taxi engines to call them reliable but other BMC are very much on a par. Same generation so very similar problems. Oil leaks probablybeing the main ones now.

Jim
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[discovery2]

We installed a new 4.108 in our vessel when it was rebuilt 17 years ago, and have found it to be 100% reliable. It was regularly serviced each year by a local marine engineer, and other than the fuel injector pump requiring servicing a few years ago, it had not required any other attention other than regular oil changes, filter replacements, etc.

As other contributors have commented, spares are easily accessible and Perkins in Peterborough and Golden Arrow Marine (from whom we purchased the engine) were most helpful when we were selecting an engine.

David

 

[jonjo]

Re: 07 & 08

I spoke to chap on New Years day just before he waded down the lane to reach his canal boat on the river.

He worked on the production line at Perkins and said the 4108 has removable cylinder liners whereas the 4107 has a solid block that would require over boring during a serious overhaul.

I also got the impression that the newer Prima/Perama (sp?) engines were a big design improvement.

 

[Guest]

The 07 and 08 series engines each have 3 ratings available dependent on requirements. It is necessary to check Engine Serial No. with Perkins who will give all details reagrding build date, HP etc. etc.

EG - I have a 4-99 .... everyone tells me its 28 HP .... nope not correct - it is 32 HP as designated by serial number etc.

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[PeteMcK]

Prima

The Perkins Prima was in the Montego, Land Rover Freelander (until they gave it a BMW diesel recently), Rover 620, and is still sold in the Rover 25, 45, etc. Perama covered the marinised versions of the Prima when Perkins still marketed them. The marine versions are now, unfortunately, under the guise (and spares policy) of the dreaded V-P. The Prima's a good engine but it'll be a lot easier and cheaper to keep your 4-108 going than to change.

 

[tynesman]

I have twin Perkins 4108's on my RLM 27 to Enfield Z drives,rated at 40 hp each,giving 1 gal/hr each cruising at 2000 rpm at 10 knots.
Engines are 28 years old original Perkins,sound like Harley Davitsons(great sound)
Look after them and they will look after you
Yes agree with all other spares no problem
Would go for a boat with Perkins next time also

Happy sailing
Tynesman

 

[boatmad2]

One advantage of this older tech engine is it uses a timing chain rather than a less reliable belt.
Cold starting is usually with a CAV thermostart in the inlet manifold this usually takes longer to get the engine started than the more modern cylinder fitted glow plugs.
Note that these engines were very common in forklift trucks also,

 

[tr7v8]

Re: Prima

Not so sure about the small Rover (25 & 45) Rover reckoned it was "not suitable" when the 218 & 418 were launched and used the Peugeot XUD lump instead, although the newer ones were badged as 220D & 420D.
The Prima is actually based on a modified O Series petrol with all the grief that they had.

Jim
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[PeteMcK]

Re: Prima - More

In case anyone asks what this has to do with boats, the Prima / 'L' Series is a prime candidate for marinising. Lancing sell the full kit. This is a bit more background for anyone who's thinking about it.

The Prima is now the Rover 'L' series with a much refined injection system since it first appeared, and MG-Rover have just, at the end of 2002, bought the production line from Ford at Solihull (LR), which had, I believe, taken it from Peterborough. For a spell in the early 90s, Rover used the older-tech, but smoother, 1.8 indirect injection Peugeot in the, then, newer Rover models.

Quite soon, they reverted to using the hugely more efficient Prima when it's noise levels were transformed to being, at that time, about the best in its class when it was fitted (92-93?) with a new two-stage injection system with 5-hole Bosch injectors; the Prima was really the pathfinder for the technology which spawned all the other TDis (VW, Land Rover, etc.). It has been substantially upgraded again since then. The top of the range Rover 75 has a new generation BMW engine, as has the (Ford) LR Freelander. LDV have been using bigger Peugeot engines in their vans for some time now.

The 'O' Series, though it might not look it, was a heavily reworked development of a 'B' block and crank - compare the early bores & strokes. It's said that the early petrol engines, in Princesses and Itals, were weak, but just about everything BL produced was at that time: I've no experience of those. I've run many of the newer versions up to very high mileages since the late 80s, EFi and turbo diesel, and have found them to be reliable and robust. Their lack of sophistication by today's automotive standards is, in some respects, a plus point for a marinising project.

 

[Guest]

Hot start ....

Having had to re-vamp my hot start ..... the fuel feed to the glow element was never fitted by previous owner ... and he used Easystart.

I fitted a short piece of 3/8 plastic hose onto the feed end of the plug. Filled it with diesel, upended it so that it was about 6 inch above plug. Connected the 12v supply and switched on. Within a few seconds the characteristic POP, pressed the starter and away she went like a good'un.

Unfortunately my glow switch was a switch and I left it on one time .... melted the pipe and blocked the feed to the plug ..... can't unblock it so back to easystart until I get another glow plug ...... AND I shall fit a proper metal pipe and reservoir set-up next time !!!!

But its basically the simplest and above all working arrangement to start a cold diesel that you could have ..... some on 08's have fed the return fuel line to a TEE piece to supply the glow ..... just means a few cranks of the engine to feed the minute drop needed ...... and then away you go !

Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[Guest]

Re: No!

4107 and 4108 look alike. with different power ratings.

4107 has wet liners ie they can be replaced! To check if the liner seals on older engines ( a paip of O rings prevent the cooling water and Oil from mixing) mid way up each of the cylinder lengths. If water (rust marks will show below holes on side of block) has been manifesting itself over a period? the O ring seals in the middle of the liners will need replacing. Problem is, probably the liners too (rust) and also likely the block (rust once again).

The 4108 have pressed in liners and a little less problems.

They are both a great and serviceable engine and cheap to repair and its worthwhile learning how to do it your self.

Rob

robinwdunham