| Author |
Message |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member
Username: Sffess
Post Number: 664
Registered: 1-2002
Posted From: 67.142.130.40
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 12:00 am: | |
I have had a problem on the last trip with my generator shutting down and being harder to start. It is a Kohler 12.5 KW diesel generator with a Perkins 4108 engine. At first I thought it was shutting down from over temp, but the gauges show good oil pressure and a temp of about 180 when it shuts down. I am about to tackle the problem and would appreciate any checklist input from people who know this type generator and engine. I have not run out of fuel so I shoul not have air in the lines, but changing the filters and bleeding the lines is first on my list. After that I come to the mysterious shutdown mechanisms in the control box. I find that the red popout circuit breaker that must be in the in position for the generator to run and the starter to turn is easily tripped for the last few years. I know it is supposed to trip with over temp and low oil pressure after start up. Maybe it is just bad now. Is there a way to short around it to test the engine and generator while I am watching it. R J are you there? Do you know this generator or is it too small for you?
If I can bypass that switch, my plan is purge the air out of the fuel lines and then try to start it. If it will not start, I will bypass the red pushbutton switch and try again. If it will not start then ????
It has 5600 hours. Injectors new in 2000. Injection pump rebuilt in 2000. Last filter change 2002. Any filter element in fuel separator has never been changed by me and I can't get the separator open.
I sure hope it is just a fuel problem.
I have diesel expertise available to me locally but not generator expertise. |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member
Username: Sffess
Post Number: 665
Registered: 1-2002
Posted From: 67.142.130.40
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 12:07 am: | |
One problem I had that I want to warn others about is that the waffle foam sound insulation on lead backing in the generator compartment has become crumbly and is falling off. Pieces of foam clogged the air outlet from the generator compartment, which is the outlet for air after passing through the radiator. When I re-do the generator insulation, I will not use exposed foam again. It did take 20 years to reach this state, but I would rather have a couple of hanging noise filter curtains with a cleanable surface.
The sound foam above my engine on my Mercedes 300 diesel does the same thing after about 10 years. |
R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member
Username: Chuckllb
Post Number: 34
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 4.240.213.55
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 10:51 pm: | |
Steve...FWIW... I had similar symptons on my Onan 6.5. Checked the fuel system. Thought it was the pump, but turned out to be a rotted line...tiny cracks in a very short line from the filter to the pump. Also, a less than tight connection from the pump to the mail line to the carb.
BTW, this went on for several trips till I finally got it solved. Would run fine for a while, then, cut out.....and threw one of the two breakers on the unit just before cut out.; always the same breaker.
Best wishes.
RCB
'64 Crown
RCB |
|