Perkins 4.108 starting problem

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by roberttigar

I've run out of ideas. My 4.108 is difficult to start-only on the first start of the day. This has nothing to do with the air temperature. For the last 6 months, whether its 85' or 65', the first start of the day requires a lot of grinding. Once it starts, I can shut it down and then restart immediately.

Air screen is clean, filters clean and there is absolutely no fuel leaking. Injectors have been serviced. have no cold start equipment installed.

The engine runs fine, power is good, no excess smoke, no strange noises. Its just this problem that has me scratching my head.

I have got to be overlooking something. I'm not beyond calling a mechanic. I'd just hate to have overlooked some small item that would require shelling out a couple hundred dollars and make me feel real foolish for missing it.

Anybody got any ideas?

Bob

Small vacuum leak. It is not uncommon for fuel hose to allow air in and the weight of fuel drains back to the tank.

When under pressure you may not have any leaks. Try replacing all your flexible fuel line.

Also check you have no diaphragm issue with your lift pump. Overfull sump is usually a symptom.

This one is tough to diagnose. I have used a mityvac to isolate the culprit. Usually its easier to just change all hoses and call it annual preventative maintenance.

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[seahag]

Originally Posted by KadeyKrogen38

The Perkins Manual recommends full throttle on starting when cold. I do not use full but do give it some throttle. Never have not started quickly when using a little throttle on first start up.

This is our 4108 system exactly--it likes a lot of throttle to start first time of the day. After that, doesn't need.

[Jason Flare]

Originally Posted by Simonfla

One other idea is to put a 12 volt fuel pump on the fuel line before the filters attached to the ignition switch so when you turn the key the pump pressurizes the fuel line before you press start .Also really handy when bleeding the fuel lines after changing filters


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I installed an electric fuel pump after the primary filter. I read somewhere that an electric fuel pump can emulsify water in the fuel, (or is it fuel in the water) and make it difficult for a water separation filter to remove it.

I have a 44 year old Perkins 4.108. Same symptoms. I suspect a tiny leak, although it started like a champ this morning cold.

[roberttigar]

?I have an electric fuel pump installed, mainly to aid in bleeding. Doesn't have any affect on this problem. Bob

[zeehag]

electric fuel pump will not have any effect on a kill lever issue. nor will it solve air leakage. it will help in bleeding the engine, once you fix the kill lever issue.... i have and use my electric fuel pump with mine..
boys will be boys. listen to the lady for a change, will ye????
check your cut off lever issue then work thru all the fittings and all the hoses. i think you will find that, like mine, the cut off lever is a fail issue.
good luck.
if cut off lever is the issue, you can try and try and try and try and try and try and try before you give up and call a mechanic, who will find it inside of 20 mins and you will feel sooooo ashamed you didnt listen to the woman in first place.

[Cu Mor Glas]

Originally Posted by KadeyKrogen38

The Perkins Manual recommends full throttle on starting when cold. I do not use full but do give it some throttle. Never have not started quickly when using a little throttle on first start up.

The 4-108 (westerbeke 40) in Faith needs some throttle on the first start of the day. I don't do full but somewhere between a third and half throttle seems to do the trick. She starts pretty much the same from 40°f to 90°f. After that first start of the day she doesn't care much. The Perkins in the Massey tractor same way, but below 20°f it really prefers to have the block heater plugged in.

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[zeehag]

they also start best after maintaining shut off lever.


life is an adventure meant to be LIVED!!!

[Cu Mor Glas]

Originally Posted by zeehag

they also start best after maintaining shut off lever.


life is an adventure meant to be LIVED!!!

with the 4-99 in the tractor I spent a Sub zero morning once failing to remember that the shutoff cable needs to be pushed in. I mistake I have yet to repeat on the boat, But given who and what I am, I am sure I will.

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[unclemack]

Don't know when stop buttons - normal on diesels years ago - were replaced by solenoid shut offs.

Suppose it was part of making diesels less agricultural & scary for the cotton-wool-wrapped driven-to-school Y generation maybe?

[zeehag]

mine is not solenoid. we worked 5 days trying to start. the lever on the injector pump fails. must be maintained. is 100% MANUAL with cable.

life is an adventure meant to be LIVED!!!

[Barney21]

Zeehag is right ! I just thought that was way too obvious,maybe no????

[unclemack]

Originally Posted by zeehag

mine is not solenoid. we worked 5 days trying to start. the lever on the injector pump fails. must be maintained. is 100% MANUAL with cable.

life is an adventure meant to be LIVED!!!

Didn't mean you!!!

Would never accuse you of being one of the Y generation anyway

[tinkrman69]

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

Had a similar problem with my nanni. It turned out to be air leaking in through the injector pump return line. I fitted a valve into it and problem solved.

Try turning off your fuel valve at the tank after running. This might solve the problem, then you know it's draining down overnight.

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+1 on the above. try the cut off valve test. I've had the same symptom on many diesels and a pump rebuild or check valve in the return line has worked, some times both