Perkins Perama - ID and parts

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KizzyI

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How do identify which model it is to enable to start to search for a new heat exchanger?

Works plate says:-

Type KB3029

Serial number 12390W

Clearly spares will be an issue in the future and I'm told this became a Penta MD2030? Engine was fitted new in 1994 and I believe it is 18hp.

All assistance most welcome!
 
Many thanks Conor, a big step in the right direction! Is it fair to assume that if my engine is 18hp like yours, it's an M20 or shall I delve deep in to the manuals?
 
KizzyI said:
Many thanks Conor, a big step in the right direction! Is it fair to assume that if my engine is 18hp like yours, it's an M20 or shall I delve deep in to the manuals?
Click to expand...

Ok, research says it's an M20. Thanks Conor. Heat exchanger stacks for said item on "special offer" from USA at $350 but no bodies in stock. Presumably an original (if available in EU) will be costly?
 
Hi, the heat exchanger shape seems to be the easiest way to distinguish between the Volvo models. Not sure about prices for new stacks, the most I've needed so far was new rubber end caps and gasket. My perkins also has an awkward little pipe from the water pump to the underside of the heat exchanger. Some of the vp's have a longer hose going down and under the alternator and back up - I tried this but could not make it fit around the back of the alternator and by the solenoid.

Hopefully someone else will post about where to source a tube stack. These engines were quite common, so heads and other parts can be got, new or reconditioned, but maybe not so many were marinised.

Good luck,

Conor.
 
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This firm appear to have spare parts for Perkins engines. They were able to put a new heat exchanger on my Perkins Perama M20, same as a Volvo Penta 2020. I did visit and they have a big engineering workshop but they are very difficult to find.
http://www.westendmarine.co.uk/index.html

I found them difficult to do business with but as normal I had made detailed notes on what they were doing for what cost, so after some argument, and I paid a bit more, I came away with an engine that now worked. I tried all sources to find a heat exchanger and only dealt with this firm as a last resort. If I had my time again I would have used a remote heat exchanger. I was converting an engine from keel cooling (hence no tube stack) to fit in a Westerly Tiger.

I think Polar engineering made the standard heat exchanger/tube stack and they went bust years ago. Bowman did take on some of the Polar range but they could not help with my engine.

From the serial number you can look up the model and year of manufacture etc. Perhaps the info is on the manual mentioned above. I think my manual is on my son's boat on the Deben!!
 
Agree with that - have found stuff on wellandpower generator site much cheaper than elsewhere. For an engine numbers guide see below. I can e-mail you manual for Perkins Perama M20 if needs be.
Perkins Perama Engine Codes

ENGINE TYPE

KA 102-04
KN 102-05
KB 103-06/PERAMA M20
KL 103-07
KC 103-09/PERAMA M25
KD 103-10/PERAMA M30

COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE

J Made in Japan (no other options in manual)



YEAR OF MANUFACTURE

M 1985
N 1986
O Not Used
P 1987
Q/S 1988
T 1989
U 1990
V 1991
W 1992
X 1993
Y 1994
 
Great work today all, thank you. I'll update you as soon as I get through all these supplier options - I've learned a lot!

I'm still expecting to get a long term cost effective repair. However, there will come a point when it is more sensible to look at a new power unit and I'd be very interested to know what you would recommend for a Samphire 29 with limited space. As you might expect, many of the spares providers are making me offers and I wouldn't know when to start. However, it's generally considered that 18hp is underpowered nowadays for a 29ft full length keel boat - but they would say that wouldn't they!
 
KizzyI said:
Great work today all, thank you. I'll update you as soon as I get through all these supplier options - I've learned a lot!

I'm still expecting to get a long term cost effective repair. However, there will come a point when it is more sensible to look at a new power unit and I'd be very interested to know what you would recommend for a Samphire 29 with limited space. As you might expect, many of the spares providers are making me offers and I wouldn't know when to start. However, it's generally considered that 18hp is underpowered nowadays for a 29ft full length keel boat - but they would say that wouldn't they!
Click to expand...

Nanni/Beta 25 would be the obvious choice. Back when your boat was built there was much less choice of engine size with most being in 10hp increments so it was either a 18 or a 29hp. Although there were some in between they tended to big heavy older style engines would took up a lot of space.
 
KizzyI said:
Great work today all, thank you. I'll update you as soon as I get through all these supplier options - I've learned a lot!

I'm still expecting to get a long term cost effective repair. However, there will come a point when it is more sensible to look at a new power unit and I'd be very interested to know what you would recommend for a Samphire 29 with limited space. As you might expect, many of the spares providers are making me offers and I wouldn't know when to start. However, it's generally considered that 18hp is underpowered nowadays for a 29ft full length keel boat - but they would say that wouldn't they!
Click to expand...


I have a lot of genuine used parts for the Perama M20 including a complete heat exchanger body with stack ( element) and end caps but no exhaust elbow PM if you are interested ,I have this engine in my boat so acquired these used parts over the years as some are becoming discontinued . Most of the mechanical parts are of course available as this is an industrial unit so they were widely used in land based generators , commercial grass cutters and even small specialised vehicles but the marinising parts are more difficult to source and once the Volvo name was stamped on it the cost of some parts have become prohibitive if you are trying to keep a 15 year old going but theoretically the engine should run for more than 10,000 hours so should be OK for a few summers.
 
Tranona said:
Nanni/Beta 25 would be the obvious choice. Back when your boat was built there was much less choice of engine size with most being in 10hp increments so it was either a 18 or a 29hp. Although there were some in between they tended to big heavy older style engines would took up a lot of space.
Click to expand...

1994 Perkins Perama M20 / M25/ M30/ M35/ M40 Perkins led the way with these engines although they had a Japanese heart it was Perkins that made them into a superb marine engine and Volvo, I think soon realised what a dinosaur there 2000 series was in terms of weight, size ,reliability and noise, and must have given Perkins a fantastic deal to badge their small engines.
 
KizzyI said:
Great work today all, thank you. I'll update you as soon as I get through all these supplier options - I've learned a lot!

I'm still expecting to get a long term cost effective repair. However, there will come a point when it is more sensible to look at a new power unit and I'd be very interested to know what you would recommend for a Samphire 29 with limited space. As you might expect, many of the spares providers are making me offers and I wouldn't know when to start. However, it's generally considered that 18hp is underpowered nowadays for a 29ft full length keel boat - but they would say that wouldn't they!
Click to expand...

Mermaid offer a 21hp and 27 hp engine in their MP range and also the new FPT (Iveco) 4000 series have a 20hp and 30hp engine which are based on Lombardini engines.
 
Just caught up with this thread and a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned DiPerk who handle spares for all Perkins engines. Very helpful, excellent service and reasonable prices. I've used them for Perama spares and consumables for several years. No other connection.
 
Thank you! So far I have found a new tube stack but no heat exchanger body. I think I know she there's a Volvo unit but £1.4k is hurting. Will try the new suggestions and thanks rpj.
 
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