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stewart
United Kingdom
36 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Nov 2012 : 16:35:20
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I'm thinking about getting a boat (a Seamaster 27, actually) with a Perkins 4108 diesel engine, and I'd welcome some advice....
What I really like about boating on the Thames is being able to go as slowly as I possibly can. With our old Norman Conquest, with a Mariner 15 Bigfoot 4-stroke outboard, we could do that - barely moving. Then we had a Freeman 22 Mk1, with inboard BMC / Vedette petrol engine, and we couldn't go quite so slowly.
I have an impression, uninformed and possibly wrong, that a Perkins 4108 diesel likes to run quite fast. Say, at a steady 3-4,000 rpm, rather than 1,000 - 1,200 rpm. Can anybody tell me if I'm at all right?
Also - this particular engine, despite recent work on head and injectors, smokes quite badly for a while on start-up, and continues to smoke a bit when warm.... Would it be best avoided?
Thanks in advance - Stewart |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2012 : 17:12:09
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I would have thought an old perkins would be happy to plod at 1000 rpm but would be smoother a bit quicker, smoking when cold is fairly normal but any diesel thats been plodded along the river for years without a good thrashing will smoke, even the gin palaces do it, the bores glaze up and let oil past through lack of work.
You can always put a smaller pitch prop on to go slower.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2012 : 18:05:20
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| A 4108 was a good engine but now a bit long in the teeth. It is probally to powerfull for your boat so running it to slow can cause bores to glaze. The best thing for a diesel engine is to work it hard.That helps to clean the injectors and burn off carbon. |
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stewart
United Kingdom
36 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2012 : 22:28:15
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Thanks very much for those rapid responses.
So - if a diesel likes to be worked quite hard, is there a make or model of diesel that is really suitable for a slow-moving river or canal boat? Especially one that might be found in a grp cabin cruiser purchasable for around £5?
Despite the fire risks and the difficulty of getting petrol on the river, is a petrol engine in some ways more suitable? |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2012 : 07:38:10
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Going at a snails pace all the time is no good for a petrol engine either unless it's small enough to still be working quite hard but then you have no power in higher flows.
The perkins should be quite a suitable engine for a seamaster 27 (if it's the older one they are a good looking boat) why not just go a bit quicker and get to the pub sooner?
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2012 : 09:13:21
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I'm with Dave on this - the 27 was engined with 4.107's and 4.108's and is a cracking boat and the engine was a good match for it.
BUT both are a bit old now so a smoky engine is not an unforeseen event - bit like you getting a bit creaky when you get older? However - you can get bits still and there are any number still kicking around, not least from old vans and taxis so it isn't hard to get hold of an oldie and get it sorted with a re-bore and crank ground.
However, nothing beats taking it down to Teddington and giving it a good thrash down the tideway and back. That will clear it's throat!
The cost of boating is insignificant compared to costs of a young wife and two teenage kids! |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2012 : 17:10:48
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Or a spoonful of vim down the air intake while it's under a bit of load to scuff the bores up a bit, seen it work on glazed aero engines before.
(I'm not going to admit to doing it....)
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2012 : 21:08:33
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| Correct me if I am wrong. Your engine is rated at 45 to 50 Hp.You could have the prop size checked and change if needed to make the engine work harder at lower revs which could also save fuel. I am fitting a 25HP Kubota in my 32.to replace the Yanmar |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2012 : 08:05:54
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quote:
Originally posted by df
Or a spoonful of vim down the air intake while it's under a bit of load to scuff the bores up a bit, seen it work on glazed aero engines before.
(I'm not going to admit to doing it....)
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk
VIM??? Blimey Dave, I thought they had stopped making both that and Ajax powders years ago?
The cost of boating is insignificant compared to costs of a young wife and two teenage kids! |
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Advice on Perkins 4108, please
