Perkins Starter

[Seadoc777]

I have a Perkins 4108 diesel engine. The starter spins up but fails to engage and spin the engine. Does the starter need replacement or just the solenoid/Bendix?

[CSY Man]

Time to take the starter out and have it overhauled.
Probably no more than $120.00.
I did that and bought a new but much smaller starter for my 4-108, and used the old, big and freshly overhauled starter for an on-board spare.

[Sailing55]

Remove the starter and check the ring gear on the flywheel also. Make sure you turn it a full revolution to inspect all of it.

[CSY Man]

Meh thinks you may be in the wrong section: This is tech support for sure, but for the forum, not for Diesel engines:-)

[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by Seadoc777

I have a Perkins 4108 diesel engine. The starter spins up but fails to engage and spin the engine. Does the starter need replacement or just the solenoid/Bendix?

It is rather unlikely the whole starter motor will need to be replaced, especially as the starter spins up as you say. They are fairly easily serviced and you should perhaps try to do this yourself. Doing so will allow you to become very familiar with your own starter motor and as they are often very similar, with starter motors in general. If you have a solenoid motor it does sound like the solenoid is either sticking or not engaging at all. It may be it just needs to be cleaned. If it is an inertial bendix it is likely that it just needs to be cleaned. I attach photos of an inertial bendix starter motor repair which was actually due to a burned out actuator wire. I had to do this repair in the Tuamotu islands far from any technical assistance and so found, as usual, that my greatest tool was a digital camera, which is like a breadcrumb trail: photograph each step of the process and it will be easy to follow the path back.

Solenoids can sometimes stick due to corrosion or dirt so may not in fact need replacement.

Most Perkins Bendixes I have come across loosen in a clockwise direction by the way. And if you decide to do it yourselve and service the motor while you are at it, just remember that when you remove the spline and rotor you will likely have a shower of little ballbearings which are held in place by the spline. Replacing these can be tricky but is achieved by sticking each one back in place with a dab of grease before replacing the spline.

[Muckle Flugga]

I should have mentioned that the inertial bendix starter motor pictured above is for a Perkins (M90) 4236

[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by Seadoc777

I have a Perkins 4108 diesel engine. The starter spins up but fails to engage and spin the engine. Does the starter need replacement or just the solenoid/Bendix?

Oh, and I just realised: Welcome to CF!

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by Seadoc777

I have a Perkins 4108 diesel engine. The starter spins up but fails to engage and spin the engine. Does the starter need replacement or just the solenoid/Bendix?

Failure modes are solenoid inop, ring gear stripped, pinion stripped or pinion lever / pivot pin broken.

If you energise the solenoid does it clunk? Indicating pinion engaged.

If you rotate the crank to allow the pinion to engage with a different part of the flywheel ring gear is there any change?

If you remove the solenoid can you manually engage the pinion with the ring gear?

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[glhotka]

Great info and responses above. I also looked to rebuild mine, but in the end found that an aftermarket one new (no core charge) was about $130-150. I figured at that price, I would replace it new and in the end I am glad I did. I will still likely have the other rebuilt or rebuild it myself as a spare.

We ended up writing a couple of blog posts and also doing a 2 part video on our youtube channel on how to replace it, with close up videos, troubleshooting as well as adding a remote start button in the engine room.

Hopefully you find it useful.
Here is a link to the video on our Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlwpbgibX_O-K0qoJFcCVlxK8ETIBXgG_

Part 1 - Blog Post - Removing and troubleshooting
Part 2 - Blog Post - Replacing and remote start

[zeehag]

always have a spare and here in mexico i had my original perkie starter rebuillt for 300 pesos. so, if you plan on cruising, keep your old dead starter as it is rebuildable when you are not in usa. i was told my original was not rebuildable, but i had it rebuilt in a remote locale near barra de navidad. . not rebuildable is the lazy mans way out of doing this and selling new stuff or someone else's used stuff......