Kohler diesel generator 5eoz problems

[ratherbeboating]

I got a boat last fall with a 5eoz kohler generator (diesel). We only ran it a few times last fall before winterizing it and it seemed fine. This spring when trying to run it, it would start and stall within seconds. Most of the season it seemed fine but still did it occasionally. This year when winterizing it we could not keep it running at all. It is also very hard starting when cold. Any info would be great thanks.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Kohler diesel generator 5eoz problems

You only need a few things for a diesel to run.

1. Compression.

2. Air.

3. Fuel delivered at the correct time.

Air is easy to check. Any restrictions? Fuel and compression are a bit more difficult. Since it will run for a few seconds, I suspect fuel.

You may have: clogged filters, gelled fuel.

Diesel fuel quality is so poor these days that letting it sit for any length of time creates all kinds of issues.

I would start by replacing the fuel, filters and repriming.

 

[ratherbeboating]

Re: Kohler diesel generator 5eoz problems

Thanks for the reply fleetwin, but the boat has been refueled several times over the year and has had stabilizer added after each fill. The filters were changed at the beggining of the year too. The boat was well maintained by the previous owner. When we first got it the generator had under 30hrs on it, now it is just over 50hrs on it. The problem comes and goes without notice. When it runs it runs perfect. You can go a whole day of it not starting then the next day it will start the first try and run perfect. It almost seems like you push the start button then it comes up to rpm then it acts like you hit the stop button and it turns off. Sometimes after a few trys it will run fine. I dont know what kind of sensors it has on it but i checked the oil level and it was full. It is a confusing problem but any help would be well appreciated.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Kohler diesel generator 5eoz problems

More information is a good thing.

With the symptoms, you describe, I suspect something electrically (sensor circuit) is shutting it down. i.e; overspeed, oil pressure, water temp, etc. It could also be on the generator side-overload, voltage spikes, etc.

Those symptoms get a bit trickier to diagnose.

At this point, I can't help you with those. I'd have to be sitting next to it to see what happens. Sorry.

 

[sasto]

Re: Kohler diesel generator 5eoz problems

More information is a good thing.

With the symptoms, you describe, I suspect something electrically (sensor circuit) is shutting it down. i.e; overspeed, oil pressure, water temp, etc. It could also be on the generator side-overload, voltage spikes, etc.

.

I'm with you, Fleetwin. Seen this a few times.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Kohler diesel generator 5eoz problems

Ayuh,.... If the fuel is controlled by a solenoid, I'd start checkin' the wire at that point....

 

[ratherbeboating]

Re: Kohler diesel generator 5eoz problems

Thanks guys but the generator is winterized now. I am going to have to do some more research in the spring and i will most likley be doing some more posting. Thanks again and see you in the spring.

 

[CRay45DB]

Re: Kohler diesel generator 5eoz problems

A couple of things as you sit by the fireside. Stabil, depending on what you have may not help you one bit. If you have algae, new fuel won't help. Algae is easy to see. Do you have razor filters? Pull it out, if you have gray like...trying to think of the word...pieces of gel, you got algae. Easy to treat. Good biocide and change your filters until its gone. Usually this problem is related to fuel fuel and fuel. Bad fuel in your tank which we talked about, clogged filters and fuel pump. you have two fuel pumps, priming pump and fuel pump. Have you re-blead the fuel system? At this point, my money is on the fuel pump. Diesels do not like to sit. They like to run.Now, I just went back and looked at your second post, changing the filters are great, but if you have algae, changing them is a band aid. So follow the fuel trail, yes you could have a bad oil switch, but my gen set I have to carry a fuel pump with me. There cheap and easy to switch. See you in the Spring.

 

[ratherbeboating]

Re: Kohler diesel generator 5eoz problems

Happy new boating year! splashed the boat sunday april 1st. went out for a shake down cruise and everything went great. When we got back to the dock we figured we would give the generator a shot and it fired up like a champ. Ran it for 10min then put a load on it and ran it for another 20 and seems perfect. Went out fishing for 3 or 4 hours came back gave it another shot and started instantly. Came back on monday to check on the boat and again started perfectly. So at this point we will have to wait for the problem to return. Going to change oil and replace fuel filters like i wanted to in the fall and i will keep everyone posted. Hope everybody's season started off as good as ours. Maby it will keep on running. Thanks again.