Perkins diesel randomly stopping

[Yangyangyyy]

My 20 year old 30HP Perkins diesel sometimes just stops. It was running fine, and then just the engine noise goes down/revs lower, then after about 5 seconds come to a stop.

Firing up again usually makes it run again, at least after 2 tries.

What could be the reason? Where should I start to trace the problem?


On cold start it has no problems, just firing the glow plug for 20 seconds and then firing it, it starts up all the time


Thanks

[BillKny]

Originally Posted by Yangyangyyy

My 20 year old 30HP Perkins diesel sometimes just stops. It was running fine, and then just the engine noise goes down/revs lower, then after about 5 seconds come to a stop.

Firing up again usually makes it run again, at least after 2 tries.

What could be the reason? Where should I start to trace the problem?


On cold start it has no problems, just firing the glow plug for 20 seconds and then firing it, it starts up all the time


Thanks

Only one likely cause: Fuel delivery problem. Could be in lots of places from a bit of debris that gets sucked up against the tank suction tube, to an intermittent air leak.

Since it stops the engine, but then it restarts again after a short pause, I’ll bet on the debris in the tank. Engine stops running, it stops sucking, and the debris falls off.

[mvweebles]

Fuel delivery is by far the most likely issue, either constricted fuel delivery or air getting into the system. Check fuel filters for excessive debris/clogging, o-rings on fuel filters for air-leaks, fittings on hi-pressure solid fuel lines, etc. Um...not to sound dumb, but you have checked fuel level and any shut-off valves? First time I took my then-girlfriend out on my boat, I had just done some fuel work and had forgotten to turn the fuel back on. We got about 300 yards when the engine died. She thought I was pulling the old 'we've run out of gas' trick. Also, unlikely but have to ask, any excessive exhaust smoke (possible low-compression)?

Peter

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by BillKny

Only one likely cause: Fuel delivery problem. Could be in lots of places from a bit of debris that gets sucked up against the tank suction tube, to an intermittent air leak.

Since it stops the engine, but then it restarts again after a short pause, I’ll bet on the debris in the tank. Engine stops running, it stops sucking, and the debris falls off.

Agree with Bill as a possibility and is most likely a fuel issue.

It could be also from clogged fuel filters which then decreases the amount of fuel to the motor. When was the last time you changed the secondary fuel filter (on the motor)?

Probably would be a good idea to change both the primary and secondary filters.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by mvweebles

She thought I was pulling the old 'we've run out of gas' trick. Peter

Peter, I guess that old trick still works!

[Marathon1150]

I agree that fuel contamination is the likely problem. Our Perkins 4.108 only stops when we have a dirty fuel issue. The most extreme instance being caused by this stuff in the water separator portion of the Racor 500, where it was invisible until we dismantled the entire filter housing.



The ball was jammed with fibres that were likely the remnants of a paper towel left in the fuel tank when it was last cleaned.

[Yangyangyyy]

Thank you all for the detailed replies!

Additionally. Anyone knows a good source for Perkins diesel repair manuals? (Not owners manual) that would give me good route the trace down the problem. Right now I don't even know where the fuel filter is....

[marcjsmith]

ive been able to find perkins shop manuals online. have one in pdf for my 4108
not sure what model you have but found this for a 30hp perk

https://www.manualslib.com/products/...0-3618918.html

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by Yangyangyyy

Thank you all for the detailed replies!

Additionally. Anyone knows a good source for Perkins diesel repair manuals? (Not owners manual) that would give me good route the trace down the problem. Right now I don't even know where the fuel filter is....

Can you tell us specifically which motor you have. Is it a 130-10?

[japawil]

Originally Posted by Yangyangyyy

Thank you all for the detailed replies!



Additionally. Anyone knows a good source for Perkins diesel repair manuals? (Not owners manual) that would give me good route the trace down the problem. Right now I don't even know where the fuel filter is....

I believe Perkins.com has pdfs of operation and maintenance manuals of all their engines.

[Yangyangyyy]

The tag says yh3xm954 m30

Now based on my research this afternoon I realized it's just the rebadged Perama m30.

[Bill O]

From a previous CF thread the Perkins M30 maybe a Volvo M2030. The workshop manual link is in that thread.

[arcticmonkey]

I had similar problem til a friend suggested increasing air flow to under floor perkins.. I can't remember the exact amount of "air" requirements but by installing a 2 inch pipe into engine compartment I never had the problem again and it kept the èngine room smelling like a daisy

[PaulvR]

Agree, fuel starvation....tank , raycor, engine filter, yes....and check the manual and/or electric lift pump body and filters if you have them.

[moseriw]

pest pest