Anyone know anything about the Perkins P4C diesel? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 03-06-2011, 03:07 PM

In doing reading, I discovered that this engine was used in diesel taxis in England and continental Europe and sometimes replaced MB diesels in MB taxis when the engines were not available.

It was used for about a 20 year stretch.

I have been able to find out zilch about this engine, except that it was a 1.6L four cylinder in-line used in a number of vehicles.

Sites and/or info would be appreciated. Thanks

panZZer · #2 03-06-2011, 03:17 PM

Use the search- in london taxi cabs thread, i think its mentioned, one guy was looking for parts for his, and another member knew where to get them.

strelnik · #3 03-06-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Use the search- in london taxi cabs thread, i think its mentioned, one guy was looking for parts for his, and another member knew where to get them.

That's a start, thanks!

tyl604 · #4 03-06-2011, 03:49 PM

Try www.allpar.com. Also Google Perkins P4C diesel; there's a lot out there on the internet.

kerry · #5 03-06-2011, 04:26 PM

Is that the same as the Perkins 4-108 which was used a lot in sailboats and also some British made vans--maybe Bedfords.

Stevo · #6 03-06-2011, 05:58 PM

I had one in my New Zealand built cutter (sail boat), sweet little engine.

strelnik · #7 03-06-2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Is that the same as the Perkins 4-108 which was used a lot in sailboats and also some British made vans--maybe Bedfords.

I don't know if the 99 cu inch 1.6L is the same as the 108, this is what I am trying to find out.

kerry · #8 03-06-2011, 07:06 PM

Here's a list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Perkins_engines

I don't see a P4c designation but I do see a 99ci engine in the general family of the 4-108. That list also says the van engine and marine engine are not the same. One has wet sleeves, the other dry although they are almost the same displacement.

oldiesel · #9 03-06-2011, 07:24 PM

In the marine engine the 4-107 was wet sleeve and the 4-108 was dry sleeve i dont know that much about the 4-99 those are pretty old engines now. Don

Beagle · #10 03-07-2011, 07:54 AM

It would help if you could explain to us why you are interested and what info you are looking for.

Never heard of ‘P4C’. The ‘P’ series, P3, P4 and P6 were Perkins original ‘bread and butter’ line.

Just as a bit of background….I joined F.Perkins Ltd (as it was then) on a 5 year apprenticeship back in 1955 and left 9 years later to start my own business. The engine was at that time still in Prototype and Development stages and was known as the “Four 99” (99in³) . Later in early production run as “C99”, then “4-107” and “4-108” as it was up-rated. Many variations – DI and IDI, wet and dry liners, Turbo and NA etc. Originally conceived as a high-speed diesel engine for cars, taxis and light commercial vehicles it eventually had numerous applications Marine and Industrial.

My own dealings with the 4-99 were mainly as an apprentice in the R and D Test Shop and later in the Field Test Eng. Dept. This engine was, along with the 6-354 engine, the first Diesel to employ a distributor type ‘V’ fuel injection pump. This presented many problems, pump and RPM, and we worked very closely with Simms as the pump too was still under development. I recall spending many hours driving a Cortina, fitted with a 4-99, around the Motor Industries Test Track – not very exiting!

busman1965 · #11 03-07-2011, 10:50 PM

The Perkins 4-107/108 was a great engine, I have spent many days at the helm of various boats that powered by them. They were nowhere near as refined as the 617 Mercedes, they were more like the 50's Mercedes 180d engines. Loud, clattery, leaky, but oh so reliable. Also, they take submersion in salt water very well (dont ask how I know this.....).

The Perkins 107/108 was ultra reliable, but not the smoothest engine at idle. The next generation Perkins 4 cylinder, the Prima, was a much more refined engine, and very long lived. I have a M50 Prima in my little trawler, which has 15,000 hours on it, and runs like a watch. The Prima has an overhead cam, direct injection, and can make up to 130hp with a turbo.

The 107/108 was used in alot of forklifts and equipment so it is easy to find in the US, there are always several on ebay. Westerbeke made tons of marine conversions of these engines. The Prima is a little harder to find in the US, but there are tons in europe. Alot of the old Land Rovers have been refitted with the Prima engine in England, as they are very very good on fuel economy.

kerry · #12 03-07-2011, 10:57 PM

A 4-108 powers the 12k generator in my Wanderlodge.

t walgamuth · #13 03-07-2011, 11:11 PM

FWIW Perkins is now owned by Caterpillar.

One of my son's in law lived in England for about three years with his family because his Cat employed father was assigned to help get their computer systems integrated (or something that sounds similar to that).

back when they bought Perkins.

layback40 · #14 03-08-2011, 04:42 AM

The P4 & P6 were used in some massey & fordson tractors over here, they were replaced by motors like the 6/354 7 4/236 in tractors. We have a 6/354 conversion in a ford F750 truck & a 4/236 in an old backhoe. I can remember seeing a P6 in a vintage road grader, one of the first to be self propelled. The injector return line was a small gutter & the diesel just ran on the ground. They were not refined at all, I know a Doctor who has a property just out of the city, he has an old ford super major with a P6, he runs it on WVO. it has an inline simms IP.

There are about 61 cu inch in 1 ltr so 99ci is about 1.6 ltr.

engatwork · #15 03-08-2011, 07:29 AM

I helped a guy get his Massey Ferguson diesel tractor going and it was running a Perkins diesel. Seems he had run some bad fuel through it and I ended up taking the IP to the IP shop for repair. Pretty straight forward engine.