4108 slow to start or what did I do wrong?

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha David,
I don't know personally anyone who handles Perkins parts in Kona. You might give their engine shop a call. There are a couple at the marina. The might refer you to Honolulu.
I can attest to the fact that if the engine doesn't turn over fast enough then it won't start properly and especially if you don't have glow plugs even here in the tropics.
Regards,
JohnL

[donradcliffe]

Many years ago in another life GE paid to send me to a problem-solving course. One of the first questions that you always have to address is 'what has changed' before and after the problem occurs. In this case symptoms could be (1) air in the system, (2) low compression, or (3) a weak lift pump, but given the 'what changed' the filters are the most obvious culprit, unless you messed with something else like a fuel shutoff valve while you changed the filters. I have had problems with getting a good seal after changing out the CAV filter on a 4108, but the Racors are still a possibility.

[ausieman]

In my earthmoving days I always found perkins engines the hardest to bleed. My solution was always to get it started and crack the injectors one by one. I'd let the engine run with an injector line cracked open for about ten seconds then close it and move on to the next one. A couple of times I had to repeat this to eventually rid the whole system of air.
Fair winds. Mark

[sloopdavidb]

Slacker, you nailed it.
Switched back to my origanal starter today and BAM! she started in idle as soon as I hit the button. What I learned was a lot about my fuel system and that when I ask for help I better give all the facts and not just the ones I think pertinent to the matter.
So again thanks for all who contributed. David.

[SkiprJohn]

Congratulations David!! I guess you'll have a slow starter for a spare?
J