New thermostat housing for Perkins 4.236

[Gjoa14]

Hi sailing community

we are a little lost in our search of a spare part for our Perkins 4.236 marine engine (in case, the code: LD 15183 U 032193 M).

The cheapest price diverse Perkins reseller offered us for a new thermostat housing is still a minimum of 900€. I guess it’s self-explaining that we don’t want to accept that price just like that ...

A big question mark we have is that our current thermostat housing doesn't look like the original part identified by Perkins (see pictures).

We are in need of some more opinions:
Do you guys also assume that we don't have an original part?
Is it better to go for the original? Or is it better to fix the existing part? (Aiming for a perfectly running engine )

Based on that the next questions in our mind:
Is it is possible to fix the existing part in a proper durable way?

If not, any suggests on how to find the specs for welding a new thermostat housing?

Any thoughts and ideas are appreciated! Thanks

[jimbunyard]

Originally Posted by Gjoa14

Hi sailing community
we are a little lost in our search of a spare part for our Perkins 4.236 marine engine (in case, the code: LD 15183 U 032193 M).
The cheapest price diverse Perkins reseller offered us for a new thermostat housing is still a minimum of 900€. I guess it’s self-explaining that we don’t want to accept that price just like that ...
A big question mark we have is that our current thermostat housing doesn't look like the original part identified by Perkins (see pictures).
We are in need of some more opinions:
Do you guys also assume that we don't have an original part?
Is it better to go for the original? Or is it better to fix the existing part? (Aiming for a perfectly running engine )
Based on that the next questions in our mind:
Is it is possible to fix the existing part in a proper durable way?
If not, any suggests on how to find the specs for welding a new thermostat housing?
Any thoughts and ideas are appreciated! Thanks

There are probably at least dozens of permutations of thermostat housings for the 4.236.

Who is the marinizer? As far as I know, Westerbeke doesn't use the 4.236, but that sure looks like Westerbeke red.

Which way does the waterneck turn after it leaves the housing? If up, perhaps you could adapt something like this.



At 35.00, you'd be able to buy a lot of 'adaptive plumbing'.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Perkins-4-236-Thermostat-Housing-Diesel-Engine-4-236-Bobcat-Vermeer-/183540934340


As for welding, your housing appears to be cast aluminum; and pretty corroded at that. While it might be possible to cut that corrosion back to get a plate in there and weld it, and then machine the neck mount back to spec, but there'd be longevity as well as warping concerns. To build it up by just welding and machining back would yield even more concerns.

4.236's are in many different kinds of machinery; I think Cat actually owns Perkins now. Some calls to different used equipment dealers or parts houses might put you in touch with a knowledgeable parts person who could point you in the right direction.

[Triumphant]

From the photos I can see the parts diagram you attached is for a Perkins 4236M (which I have) which was a 4,236 marinised by Perkins, but the reservoir in your photos is different.

From the engine number your base engine was built in the UK in 1985. I have attached a guide to the numbers in case you have not seen them before

A number of companies marinsed the 4236. Have you tried a tractor dealer i.e. Masey Ferguson as it is possible whoever marinsed the engine may have used the standard 4236 thermostat cap on contact Perkin UK direct?

Another thought, see if there are any makers names on the heat exchanger, this may be a clue

Good luck