Anode for Perkins 4.236 Heat Exchanger

[James23]

Hello all,

As a bit of an marine engineering novice, I was hoping someone might know where I find the zinc pencil anode and how I can replace it. There is some sort of tap (blocked) within the end brass plate. I'm thinking that this might have something to do with it.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

James

[Diesel Bill]

Originally Posted by James23

Hello all,

As a bit of an marine engineering novice, I was hoping someone might know where I find the zinc pencil anode and how I can replace it. There is some sort of tap (blocked) within the end brass plate. I'm thinking that this might have something to do with it.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

James

Hi James 23, If you have the later Perkins 4.236 with a tubular heat exchanger on the stb side of the engine. The anode plug is near the aft end 2-3 inches from the end, perpendicular coming into the bundle from a right angle. The plug at the aft end is the short bolt holding the end cover on. You can remove the end cover to clean out the old wasted anode and see how the new anode fits inside. Make sure the new anode isn't to long and hits the opposite side wall.

[HankOnthewater]

If you have the original heat exchanger I have a manual that shows an 'exploded' view. But the manual is on the boat, can scan it on the weekend if you like.

[James23]

Thanks Bill, I think I have the earlier version of the 4.236. I think it's about 1980. It's on the stb side of the engine but I can't find the bits you refer to. I'll upload some pictures tomorrow - when it's light - so you can have a see. Thanks, James.

[James23]

Thanks Hank, I'd appreciate that.

[James23]

Here are a couple of pictures...

[James23]

Here (hopefully) are a couple of pictures.

[Diesel Bill]

Hate to say it but the pics are nothing at all like my coolers. Mine are original 1980 vintage for american version of Perkins. I think there was also a U.K. version. but I've never come across one. I have pics of mine on my cell phone but can't get them to load on the site.

[Triumphant]

I have a UK built 4236M Low line (the engine no will tell you when & where the engine was built) which has the same heat exchanger as yours, mine is made by Serck.

I have had to take the heat exchanger apart a few times and never seen a zinc and I am fairly sure the manual does not show one. I have attached the relevant page from the parts manual in case it helps

Have fun and good luck

[lancelot9898]

I have a 1985 Perkins 4-108. For the 30 plus years that I've owned it and have cleaned out the heat exchanger numerous time during that period, I've never located any zinc anode. I asked a Perkins mechanic about that and he told me none was needed since the Heat Exchanger was electrically isolated from the engine with the rubber end caps. Don't know if that holds for your engine.

[tstano]

I never found one either, would adding one help or hurt the HX?

[NahanniV]

I have the same engine, with the same heat exchanger.

I have a pencil zinc in the heat exchanger end cap where you have a hose barb fitting. They are easy to find at any chandlery. It is a brass plug (1/4"NPT?) with the zinc screwed into it. You can buy the zinc with or without the plug.

My engine also has exactly the same zinc in the oil cooler and the transmission cooler. But, I have to cut down the length of the one in the oil cooler so that it will fit.

I am not sure that they are really needed, or do any good, but they are cheap and easy to replace, so I do.

[HankOnthewater]

Hi James
I see that Triumphant beat me to it (what else does one expect with a name like that!) with his photo of a heat-exchanger diagram. I have two manuals which show slightly different units, one of them identical to Triumphant’s one. Cannot see a sacrificial anode on either of them though.
I scanned them in an attached PDF file. The legend refers to the first diagram, I have no legend for the second diagram.
For good measure I attached also two other PDF files that you can use to identify your engine, year and where it was built. Got them from the internet years ago.

Below is a link to another thread, same subject:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ger-76982.html

Here is a link to the complete manual (19Mb) of Perkins 4.236, however this manual has no description of a heat-exchanger, looks like more for vehicles, stationary installations.
http://www.endeavourowners.com/dscsn...p%20Manual.pdf

[Triumphant]

Originally Posted by HankOnthewater

Hi James

Here is a link to the complete manual (19Mb) of Perkins 4.236, however this manual has no description of a heat-exchanger, looks like more for vehicles, stationary installations.
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You are right this is the road version manual of the engine so no marine bits mentioned. there is a thin Marine supplement that goes with this manual but I do not have a PDF of it.