Perkins 4203 not feeling well.

[ditelaurie]

Advice desperately needed. My 65hp Perkins 4203 starts fine, runs for about five minutes but then slows down and quits, it does this repeatedly and is driving me crazy. I have eliminated any and all fuel supply problems that I can think of. There is plenty of fuel getting to the injection pump inlet but the engine refuses to keep running, I have even removed and cleaned the spill return line and checked for looseness in the manual stop control. Any suggestions please.
Dite

[a64pilot]

Fuel tank vent clogged? Easy to tell. just leave the fill cap open and if the problem goes away, it was a clogged vent


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[Lancerbye]

Have you changed the engine mounted fuel filter prior to the problem starting? I have found that some so called replacement filters which are considered cross referenced do not work in all applications. On a Perkins 4-154 the final fuel filter was changed as part of regular maintenance. This proceeded to the same problem you are having. After much head scratching and strong language on the part of the owner we found that the replacement filter was not exactly the same as the one being replaced. It was starving the fuel. There were no holes in the top metal cover of the filter which is how this model of engine drew fuel from. Replaced it with one I had which were original Frams and away it went.

[beneteau-500]

This particular model engine ( prima ? ) has had cylinder head problems if you say have eliminated all fuel probs I would suspect the head casket is blown these model Perkins heads tender to bow

[DeepFrz]

I would suspect the head casket is blown these model Perkins heads tender to bow

In deference to the Queen most likely.

[Stu Jackson]

From just the other day, don't know if yours is similar:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ed-142987.html

Systematic troubleshooting.

Unless someone has the very same engine with exactly the same issue. And reads this forum. Is there a Perkins engine forum? Anybody know?

Good luck.

[Mistress Sirena]

Some good tips given sounds like a vacuum gauge could help all so, some clear tubing to check for air bubbles.

[boeing1]

vacum gage good idea,had simular problem on two different engines, found fuel line cloged on both.....

[Cheechako]

Yes, check the engine mounted filter if you haven't. I have seen them completely filled with a gooey almost jello like growth.
One note though... don't most diesels start running faster just as they run out of fuel if fuel starved? Most mine have.
Clogged exhaust elbow?

[Compass790]

Heard somewhere of an instance where a bit of rag or something was drifting in the fuel tank & would get sucked into the inlet when engine was running & then drop off again when stopped. Drove the mechanic a bit insane apparently. Worth a thought. Cant hurt to clean your tank if poss.
Hope that helps

[shakey doug]

Check lift pump filter if no joy try rigging up a temp positive head fuel supply.