Gecko
Well-known member
For interest, do you have a feeling for lifespan of the older M45/M50 starters vs the modern high speed/reduction replacements?
TSM&ACo
Member
In general, the modern G/R 3.2, 4.0, 4.2 kW replacements are really well built, and all else being equal I dare say they should last just as long. They mistakenly catch a bad rap on Perkins engines for two reasons:
1. (Some) Older, poorly maintained perkins' seem to get a lot harder to start/turn than the alternatives and in these cases the 2nd starter fitted would always be more labored than the original. In these cases a 4.2kW version may be worth it.
2. Some of the late '90s-'00s engines seem to be prone to "hanging" the ignition which will burn out the solenoid regardless of which starter is installed. It's to the point that we warn customers over the phone before selling them now and actively recommend not spending extra money on a 4.2kW (over the 3.2kW replacement) as it provides no extra protection. These were generally fitted with the silver bodied motors which sat in between the of M45/50G units and the modern black bodied G/R units you're referencing.
Outside of this ie. where there's no external cause we get little to no issues from them at all. Still, need to see how they age. ~5 years from now we'll be able to say that enough of them have stood the test of time.
1. (Some) Older, poorly maintained perkins' seem to get a lot harder to start/turn than the alternatives and in these cases the 2nd starter fitted would always be more labored than the original. In these cases a 4.2kW version may be worth it.
2. Some of the late '90s-'00s engines seem to be prone to "hanging" the ignition which will burn out the solenoid regardless of which starter is installed. It's to the point that we warn customers over the phone before selling them now and actively recommend not spending extra money on a 4.2kW (over the 3.2kW replacement) as it provides no extra protection. These were generally fitted with the silver bodied motors which sat in between the of M45/50G units and the modern black bodied G/R units you're referencing.
Outside of this ie. where there's no external cause we get little to no issues from them at all. Still, need to see how they age. ~5 years from now we'll be able to say that enough of them have stood the test of time.
Gecko
Well-known member
Cheers - good to know.
My local suppliers never offered me anything other than the 3.2kW version, so that's what I fitted to a Perkins 1001.4t.
I have to say, I'm loving it's performance.
My local suppliers never offered me anything other than the 3.2kW version, so that's what I fitted to a Perkins 1001.4t.
I have to say, I'm loving it's performance.
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