| Author | Message | ||
| Austin Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 55 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
I have an oil leak that seems to be coming from the generator. BUT, the generator isn't an oil cooled unit, it is air cooled. So my assumption would be that the oil is coming through some seal between the generator and the direct drive. I see gaskets in the manual drawing but didn't see any seal. I would like a little info up front before I remove it. . | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 374 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.126.56 Rating: |
The mounting gasket could be leaking or the seal at the armature or rotor shaft coming out of the generator could be the culprit.If it is not oil cooled, they leave a weep hole at the base of the generator where it mounts to the engine to let any oil that gets past the generator shaft seal to leak externally so as not get into the generator innards. Got a picture of the generator mounted? | ||
| Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member Username: Bob_greenwood Post Number: 524 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 64.136.49.228 Rating: N/A |
might just be loose bolts,try tightening before you try removeing | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 273 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.97.117.52 Rating: N/A |
Austin, I'm pretty sure the original 4104 gen is either oil or water cooled, it is a huge monster. I could look it up in my manual but it is out in the cold. If you don't have a manual I'll look it up for you tomorrow. | ||
| Austin Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
I have a manual (at home) if I remember correct they had a oil cooled and a air cooled listed in the book. It has what looks like a filter on the end of the generator and a tube going up into the air intake passage above the engine compartment. I will try to get photos and also inspect the bolts to see if they are loose. I have a gig to go to this evening at 8pm and I don't get home until almost 6pm. I may just take the camera with me to the gig and get the photos there. . | ||
| Austin Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 57 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
It is difficult to get a decent photo of the generator but here are a few photos. Notice the oil dripping rom the bottom of the generator.  And the oil seems to be seeping from between the block, direct drive, and generator.  I looked at the manual and found that the generator has 2 seals on the shaft of the generator at the end were it mounts to the drive unit. . | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1153 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.195.127.101 Rating: N/A |
Austin - Before you start tearing things apart, you need to clean off all the crud so you can really tell where the oil leak is coming from. Might not be what you think it is! Get out the GUNK and your power washer and have at it! HTH. . .  | ||
| Austin Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 59 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
RJ, I do plan on cleaning it for closer inspection. The photos don't show what the eye can see and I'm fairly certain that the gasket between the Generator, direct drive, and engine is leaking, as I can see among the grime the wet oil dripping from the mounting flange at the bottom. But with the oil drips on the bottom of the Generator I suspect that the seal on the shaft is leaking also. Because of the physical shape of the direct drive I don't think oil leaking from the gasket would get to the Generator to drip from it. . | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 280 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 63.97.117.24 Rating: N/A |
I agree with RJ, there is too much crud there to really tell anything. It may just need to be tightened. The oil pressure in the gen may not be full engine pressure but not certain of that. For cooling it needs volume, not pressure. Loosen the nuts/bolts first then try to retighten them. | ||
| Jim Wilke (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 107 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 69.77.151.82 Rating: N/A |
The pressure in the gen housing is NOT supposed to be full engine pressure. There is a restricted elbow at the generator in the oil supply hose. Mine had been replaced with a regular elbow and so much oil was pushed into the housing that it leaked from everywhere. If yours is missing, you can fill the elbow with solder & drill it with a small diameter drill. I don't recall how small, but the answer was found on this BB. BTW, I gained a bit of engine oil pressure when this was done. Jim-Bob | ||
| Austin Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 60 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
Keep in mind that this is NOT an oil cooled generator. The only oil is in the direct drive unit between the generator and the engine. . | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 382 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.126.56 Rating: |
Easiest would be to take a small pan of parts cleaning solvent or kerosene and a parts cleaning brush ( go to an auto parts store and buy one now as you'll need one often with a coach. Stiffer nylon bristle ones work best for your application) and clean the area pretty well. Run the coach at a fast idle for about 20 min. or until leak starts again. Spraying the area with aresol foot powder can help find some slow leaks. Then remove the alternator and replace the mounting gasket and shaft seal. Be careful, as it is pretty heavy; get some help when removing last nut or bolt. Remove 12 o'clock bolt/ nut last, and reinstall it first. A Detroit Diesel dealer or Luke can supply the gasket; don't know about the seal- might need to cross reference the number on it or go by the dimensions or take it to a starter/ generator repair shop that work on commercial units to have them obtain/ replace seal. |
