Heater plug for Perkins AD 4.203

[rabet]

Hi all,
Could any one help on the question above.
All direct injection diesels do not have the need for heater plugs to start.
The perkins AD 4.203 and AD 3.152 does have a single heater plug fitted into the inlet manifold, BUT DO YOU NEED THEM?????? and why.
OK, you might say in cold conditions they will be necessry, but I live where it never goes below 20 deg C.
So can any one who has a perkins AD 4.203 please give me some practical advice as to if I need to fit one to my MF65 mk2.

Many thanks
rabet

 

[Agvg]

It will depend on how good the condition of the engine is. My AD3 152 starts with no heat in -15c almost as fast as in +20.

 

[Mean Jean]

At 20C you will not need the heater plug. I believe it痴 called thermastart.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Not trying to be a "D" MJ but its called a "thermOstart"..
Its a lot easier to look up that way..

 

[Mean Jean]

Oops, my bad.

 

[rabet]

Hi all,
Thanks for that, I wondered if that would be the case.
The engine is new, I have just rebuilt it from the bottom up so should be ok.

Rabet

 

[thepumpguysc]

The "thermostart" has a fuel line going to it, from a reservoir that's filled by the injection pump..
The "heater" burns a small amount of fuel [fire] directly into the air intake..
The "heater" is a very weak point in the system & is prone to fail.. it either doesn't work or leaks fuel into the intake.
You know it failed when you get heavy smoke, like a freight train..
The question is> do you need them??
Some do & some don't, depending on location & engine condition..
It came on some machines.. so weather or not its actually used, is owner discretion..
If it fires right up, don't use it.. If its hard to start, use it..