The Iron Genny

[jackandsherri]

I was on a voyage in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend and the wind
was absent and the water flat. I used my Perkins 4-108 for the
whole 60 miles. The temperature was running about 215 degress F
at 1800 RPM's. It seems a little high to me. What is the
experience of you folks out there with a 4-108 Perkins and if
this is high what is the remedy?
Thanks, Mike T.
M 383 #4, Semper Fi

 

[cfnava]

My 4-108 never get over 195 degrees; 190 is about normal; 215 is too high. I cruise S. Florida and the Bahamas. I would check the raw water strainer, the raw water impeller, and the core of the heat exchanger. The latter may need to be rodded out or acid cleaned. It is also possible to have a restriction in the hose preventing you from getting enough water. Could also be a fault with the temperature gage as well.

 

[captgeorge]

I have a 4-108 and run around 175 to 180 at 1800rpm's. I am located on Galveston Bay and the water temp. is pretty warm this time of year.
David Green
M-383

 

[jackandsherri]

Thanks Bud and David for your input. I will check the temp guage and also the cooling system. David, I also sail out of Galveston Bay and keep Semper Fi in Watergate YC. My work number is 281-333-6246 and home is 281-334-1933.
Give me a call anytime.

 

[bobclark]

<div>Mike,
What temp. does it normally run at, before you ran a 215?
Since it did not overheat all the way, think simple:
Wrong reading on temp. gage. (replace)
Fresh water instead of antifreeze in your closed system. (Whats in your closed system)
Addition of a larger prop. (Did you)Need more facts to solve problem, but 215 is not good.
Larry
</div>

 

[cquinn]

Try flushing your fresh water system with a good cleaner. Caterpillar makes such a product for their diesel engines. Instructions on this cleaner specify that it be left in the system for 1000 hrs of operation or 30 days whichever comes first. After that, flush out the system and refill with a 30% mixture of antifreeze mixed with distilled water. It also helps to add a cooling system conditioner, PenCool is what I use.

 

[james_taylor]

<div>Its strange, I didn't see any mention of your thermostat! This is usually a leading suspect in overheating. My 4-108 runs at about 185 degrees. It used to run lower, but I installed a new thermostat rated at 185. You run at 1800 rmp? Isn't this too low for the engine. My shop manual says the engine is rated at up to 3200rpm for short duration, and 3000 for continuous running. I don't run that high since my tach is not reliable. I estimate I run at about 2000 to 2500 continuous. I never have had an overheating problem Best wishes for fixing your problem
</div>

 

[cquinn]

Bill,
What prop are you running, I hear that the stock prop is a 16x10. Are you absolutely sure of your prop size?
I ask these questions because my WOT rpm is aprox 2500.
I have suspected that I am overproped and thus I have had the same overheating maladies are described in the subject of this thread. I am not absolutely sure of the size prop I have because I am not the original buyer. My problmes were somewhat lessened by flushin of the system. I also tested my thermostat, it opened right at 180 degrees. I assume those of you not running in 89 degree seawater temperature might not have had these problems. Next haul out I plan to replace the prop.