Perkins engine

[srp]

Just thinking about looking at a boat fitted with a Perkins 47 hp diesel inboard. I have no experience of these engines so would appreciate a guide as to what to look for, and whether it has any known common problems or weaknesses. Is it one of the Perama range, or is it a rebadged 'other make'? Any idea what the likely age is?

It is fitted with a Hurth HBW 2.72:1 gearbox, again I don't know what these are like or what to look for.

Thanks.

 

[little shack]

Just thinking about looking at a boat fitted with a Perkins 47 hp diesel inboard. I have no experience of these engines so would appreciate a guide as to what to look for, and whether it has any known common problems or weaknesses. Is it one of the Perama range, or is it a rebadged 'other make'? Any idea what the likely age is?

It is fitted with a Hurth HBW 2.72:1 gearbox, again I don't know what these are like or what to look for.

Thanks.

Hi
I have a perama 30 on our boat with a hurth 50 gearbox I did have to change the gearbox earlier this year.the engine is very nice and have no complaints,it is a 3 cylinder.I would imagine as the 47 bhp is bigger that it is a 4 cylinder,this is better for the longevity of the gearbox as 3 cylinders and smaller hurths are not a very good match.I only no this when doing some research into replacing mine.As for the engine if she runs well all should be well.

 

[Tranona]

Probably a 4-108 running at max rated revs. Old (1960's) engine design but fitted to thousands of tractors, diggers, Transit vans etc. Not related to the Perama Japanese made range. Very popular engine in its day, but big and heavy by today's standards.

 

[No Regrets]

Maybe a 4-107. The serial number will tell you all!


I have a 4-108, very similar. Virtually no maintenance, other than oil, filter, belt and impeller.

Superb bit of kit, reliable, economical and no nasty electrics!

 

[srp]

So relatively bomb proof then? And presumably cheap for spares? The boat it is fitted into is a work-boat with a fairly heavy layup, so not too worried about the weight. Reliability is more important, (which I suppose sort of implies good spares and service parts availability).

Many thanks for the comments, very helpful as ever on here. More welcomed of course, as I'm a Perkins virgin ( although I have driven quite a few Massey Fergusons in the distant past).

 

[TQA]

4 107 is often raw water cooled and will be about 50 years old now so block and head corrosion could be an issue.

4 108 is usually indirect cooling. Both are tough old heavy weight diesels that will run and run if supplied with clean fuel and regular oil changes.

Here is a link to help you identify the year and country of manufacture.

http://csyowners.com/images/pdf/perkins_engine_codes.pdf

 

[ianj99]

Maybe a 4-107. The serial number will tell you all!


I have a 4-108, very similar. Virtually no maintenance, other than oil, filter, belt and impeller.

Superb bit of kit, reliable, economical and no nasty electrics!

+1.

My 4108 is 32years old and still going strong. Negeligible bore or valve guide wear when I had the 'head' off in 2010. Injectors and injection pump were given a clean bill of health as well.

The ancilliaries were another matter - had to change the manifold, engine mounts and refit the wiring and charging system but this can apply to any engine.
Oh, and also replaced all the fuel system seals which cured the previous owners bad starting problems.

The only parts I could do with but cannot track down are the injector pipes.

 

[PCUK]

4-99 and 4-107. Heads crack, crankshafts break and cylinder liners corrode through. 4-108 had dry liners so these don't corrode. But also known for putting rod through the block for no apparent reason.
All the above produced as raw or fresh water cooled. The worst diesel engines ever designed. But thousands seem to go on forever. You pays you're money . . . .
If it's a Perama it should be a different engine altogether.

 

[macnorton]

4-99 and 4-107. Heads crack, crankshafts break and cylinder liners corrode through. 4-108 had dry liners so these don't corrode. But also known for putting rod through the block for no apparent reason.
All the above produced as raw or fresh water cooled. The worst diesel engines ever designed. But thousands seem to go on forever. You pays you're money . . . .
If it's a Perama it should be a different engine altogether.

All three share the problem of heads cracking if thrashed from cold or if the temperature is not allowed to normalise before switching it of.

As for "putting a leg out of bed" this is normaly when the oil has not been changed and the oil gallery between 3 and 4 gets blocked.

"The worst diesel engines ever designed" complete rubbish, try to find a Simca, Renault or Ford York still in a boat and reliable!

The 4.*** engine was built from the 50's into the 80's and many are still going strong, I have two built in 1969 that start and run well.

I found this interesting.
http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/5955

 

[Jim@sea]

If its a 3 cyl Perkins its probably the one fitted to a Massey Ferguson 135 Tractor and if you needed any service bits go to a tractor dealer. And with Tractors there are thousands of mobile mechanics who go round farms servicing machinery which can be persuaded to work on a boat engine and its not £55 an hour.

 

[PCUK]

Any three bearing crank four cylinder diesel is bad, the many faults with the 4 series compound the worst engine ever title!
Total rubbish that will often last for ever, but equally may not.

 

[srp]

I've managed to confirm that it is a 4-108, with indirect cooling. From all that I've read they seem to be reliable enough, and certainly easy enough to work on (especially given the sort of boat it's fitted to). Above all, I'm pleased to see that some forumites have or had one, so I may be back for advice in due course.
Thanks to everyone.