I have a Perkins Prima M50 at 3,600 hours with several issues that are starting to impact its reliability. I have not had much luck finding a mechanic willing to diagnose / work on this engine and have gotten much conflicting advice.
In the spring the engine was smoking (blue-gray) heavily on startup and putting a small amount of unburnt diesel in the exhaust water. I had the injectors rebuilt and this seemed to take care of the diesel in water situation but did not resolve the smoking. Since then, the engine has been getting harder and harder to start. Strangely, when it was fifty degrees ambient (before the injector rebuild) it would start right up but now that it is warm out it is difficult and seems to be getting worse.
I’ve had varying advice to rebuild the injector pump, replace the piston rings, replace the valve guides, or re-bore and replace the pistons. Alternatively I have been told a 3,600 hour engine probably doesn’t need rings or piston work but may have glazed cylinders. I have also been told I shouldn’t sink another dollar into this obsolete 21 year old engine and should simply repower. Other issues include the Hurth transmission being due for a rebuild or replacement, the timing belt needing to be replaced, and the glow plugs needing replacement.
I don’t have time or the knowledge to troubleshoot all this myself. I might be able to put 25% or less of the cost of a repower into this engine and get a lot more hours/years out of it, but I don’t want to spend twice that figuring out where I should have spent the first half! Does anyone have a recommendation for a good diesel mechanic in the Baltimore/Annapolis area?
In the spring the engine was smoking (blue-gray) heavily on startup and putting a small amount of unburnt diesel in the exhaust water. I had the injectors rebuilt and this seemed to take care of the diesel in water situation but did not resolve the smoking. Since then, the engine has been getting harder and harder to start. Strangely, when it was fifty degrees ambient (before the injector rebuild) it would start right up but now that it is warm out it is difficult and seems to be getting worse.
I’ve had varying advice to rebuild the injector pump, replace the piston rings, replace the valve guides, or re-bore and replace the pistons. Alternatively I have been told a 3,600 hour engine probably doesn’t need rings or piston work but may have glazed cylinders. I have also been told I shouldn’t sink another dollar into this obsolete 21 year old engine and should simply repower. Other issues include the Hurth transmission being due for a rebuild or replacement, the timing belt needing to be replaced, and the glow plugs needing replacement.
I don’t have time or the knowledge to troubleshoot all this myself. I might be able to put 25% or less of the cost of a repower into this engine and get a lot more hours/years out of it, but I don’t want to spend twice that figuring out where I should have spent the first half! Does anyone have a recommendation for a good diesel mechanic in the Baltimore/Annapolis area?
