Latestarter1
New member
Are you thinking of purchasing vessel??
Dot 4 was a big big improvement over earlier versions of 6.354, previous vesions which were Dot 2 I think, Ben will correct me here I am sure. Perkins started with real good base motor and corrected the earlier exhaust manifold set up. Marinisation was neat with large combined manifold/heat exchanger set up 'Manicooler'. Used a water cooled turbocharger for the first time.
For some reason majority of Dot 4's went for export to the US, mainly used in trawler yachts in the early 80's and early on had real good reputation.
Perkins dropped the Dot 4 or Range 4 engines as they were known when Perkins Sabre was created. This was the start of some major issues. Manicooler was manufactured by Serck, with creation of Perkins Sabre and end of the Dot4 Perkins was asked to purchase the tooling for the Manicooler which Perkins declined. Manicooler is prone to internal corrosion and failure, when Perkins stock ran out they went back to Serck to source new units for service.........In the intervening period ownership of Serck had changed hands and the original patterns were scrapped off in rationalisation.
Created big problems in the US where heat exchanger failure resulted in need to re-power.
Not sure of the politics but it appears Serck were prevaled upon to manufacture fresh tooling, dunno who paid however this cost had to be freshly amortised. Word is that a new Manicooler is over $4,000. MESA (Marine Exhaust Systems Alabama) and Orca manufactured replacements but even they are not cheap.
If you are purchasing vessel with Dot 4's suggest you obtain paid help from somebody who KNOWS the engines to do survey and obtain up to date price and availability of manifold/heat exchanger and build this into your offer.
