Kohler 5e help with fuel issue please

kmurray802

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2007
Messages
61
Looking at a used Kohler 5e.Current owner received new gen.from insurance claim and is now selling old one.Unit at one point was submerged breifly.He had gen.rebuilt top to bottom.Unit looks and runs good but has one issue.After running for a while and heating up engine begins to "hunt".Kohler said the cause of this is fuel line being used is 5/8" instead of the recommended 1/4".They say that this larger line is allowing too much fuel available to fuel pump that in-turn causes drop in fuel pressure.
Do'es this sound right??
BTW-This is a gas unit,fuel tank is in bow above level of gen.
Any one heard of this?

Thanks
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Kohler 5e help with fuel issue please

That sounds like BS. The float in the carburetor float bowl determines how much fuel is in the carb at any one time and it has no bearing on what size fuel line is involved. A fuel line that is too small certainly affects fuel delivery but the difference between 1/4 and 5/8 should not be a problem. Its a governor issue or a tune-up issue. When the engine gets hot, ignition components can become erratic. As the engine slows the governor brings the engine back up to speed and then releases only to have to speed up again because the ignition is acting up. It could also be an intake manifold air leak that occurs only when the engine is warm.
 

kmurray802

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2007
Messages
61
Re: Kohler 5e help with fuel issue please

Thanks for confirming my thoughts on the issue.That explanation from Kohler made NO sense what so ever.I could see fuel line being to small causing problem,but I can't imagine line being 1/8" larger then recommended could cause a problem.Maybe if tank was lower then fuel pump I guess you could conceivably have a prime issue.That would be another condition all together.
I'll probably start a new tread for this,but I'm leaning toward portable honda instead of permantly installed gen.
I've been told that the Kohler gas units should not be run while under way.Don't no if there's any truth to that or not?Only thing that worries me with the portables is safety.It just seems like you have more of a risk of elect.shock with unit running on deck and people climbing in and out of boat, wet.
 
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