Perkins 4108

[littledava]

I have a little perky with a peculiar problem, I have it turning, plenty of diesel to the injectors which I have just had serviced but not getting so much as a cough or splutter from it even with a hit of easy start. It also both sucking and blowing from both the exhaust ports and the air intake.
I'm thinking possibly a timing issue like the valves aren't opening and closing at the correct stroke.
Has anybody ever come across this or have any clue on what's going on?

 

[Motor_Sailor]

Another source of help with these engines that seems quite active is the Perkins 4-107 / 4-108 group on Facebook.

 

[penfold]

Why would a service tech be going anywhere near the timing? Was the pump removed for refurbishing?

 

[littledava]

Why would a service tech be going anywhere near the timing? Was the pump removed for refurbishing?

I've actually no idea, I bought the boat with a seized engine, lad who had it ran it with no water, he gave me this engine with the boat and assured me it was running sweet, I, maybe stupidly, took his word for it and have installed it, coupled it up and everything then went to start and nothing at all, it doesn't look as though anything has been tampered with timing wise, I'm at a loss as to what's wrong with it.

 

[littledava]

Why would a service tech be going anywhere near the timing? Was the pump removed for refurbishing?

Pump hasn't been off to my knowledge, only reason I replaced the injectors was because I had a spare 4 and thought I might as well get them serviced and swap them over.

 

[penfold]

Serves me right for skim-reading; I misread that the service was the engine not the injectors. Sucking and blowing both ways suggests stuck valves, rusty valve seats, in extremis even damage to the valve heads. Is there any compression at all?

 

[littledava]

Serves me right for skim-reading; I misread that the service was the engine not the injectors. Sucking and blowing both ways suggests stuck valves, rusty valve seats, in extremis even damage to the valve heads. Is there any compression at all?

It does have compression, you can feel it when you turn by hand, I've had rocker box off and everything looks to be moving right so I'm a bit stumped. I've rebuilt fords and bmcs for 25 years and never come across an engine that doesn't at least try with a spray of ether

 

[gordmac]

Take the rocker cover off and see if any valves stay open?

 

[gordmac]

Does the cold start work? If you are sure the compression is ok try heating the intake with a blowtorch.

 

[littledava]

Just an update on this, I ended up running a pressure test which showed cylinders 1&4 were way down,took the head off to discover cylinder 1&4 valves totally shot, corroded and not bedding at all, engine had stood without exhaust on for some time.
Anyway replaced the head with my spare and is now running sweet as a nut.

 

[steveinnice]

It seems nothing is in isolation, if he lied mislead you about one thing its a sure bet he lied mislead you about other things. I find my 4-107 seems bulletproof if you are sensible.

 

[gordmac]

Glad it is sorted.