Onan 15 Kw MDJF Generator

[kwerges]

Our 1978 58' YF has a single 15 Kw generator, an Onan MDJF. It is powered by a Perkins 4236 motor. I haven't heard or seen anyone else on the forum with the generator powered by a Perkins. Anyone know anything, good or bad, about the Perkins set-up?

[Glory]

Do you have apicture of the engine?

JM

[rsmith]

If its the original it should be the 4cyl Onan engine

[rwetherington]

you are right. some of the Onans and that word is hard for me to say as I now sale Kohler gen sets. Had Perkins engines. It was one of the best engines that Onan uses. It is the same engine that UPS used in there trucks for a long time and the same engine that Ferguon tractors used in there 135 tractor and there are still 1,000 of them running.

[kwerges]

Thanks for the info, Roger. It still runs great, and hopefully will for years to come...

[hattitude]

Interesting.......

I have a 1980 Onan 15Kw MDJF in my boat. How would I tell if I have the perkins motor?

[rsmith]

The MDJ 2 and 4 cylinder engines were both made by ONAN. I've got a 6 and 12.5kw that have been in the boat since new. they shake smoke and make a lot of noise but if you get used to the problems their fairly reliable. Fuel pump, starters and glow plugs are the main issues. I had the big one overheat when we got in over 90* water so I put the HE from the 12 on the 6 and got the next size larger for the 12. Seems to have worked for the last 36 years. ONAN went to a Jap engine in the mid 80's when Ocean Yachts started using Westerbekes But by then most people hated the OH-NO's as they were refered to.

[kwerges]

Interesting.......

I have a 1980 Onan 15Kw MDJF in my boat. How would I tell if I have the perkins motor?

Without trying to sound like a smart a**, my engine has a Perkins U.K. tag on it just above the injector pump. Sorry I can't be more help. I'll be down on the boat Thanksgiving weekend and will snap some pictures.

[rsmith]

Look closely at the block. ONAN is cast on the block to the left of the fuel pump.

[kwerges]

Reference the engine, my generator engine does not look like any past Onan generators I've owned. Also, there is no "Onan" casting on the block. Additionally, the fuel pump is electric and mounted separately from the engine. Other than being off-white in color, it's a different beast.