Kohler generator question

Bridog

Bridog

Well-Known Member
Oct 4, 2006
4,961
Gulf Shores AL / Brick NJ
Boat Info
2016 19SPX OB
Engines
Mercury 150 4S OB
I have a Kohler 5E and when running the generator I'm noticing water coming down a clear tube that runs from the top of the unit and up to a plastic fitting. At the top of this fitting there is a clear tube. This is where I'm noticing the water coming from. It's not a steady stream, but more like a trickling. This water empies directly into the engine compartment.:huh: I have never noticed water in this clear tube before. Is this normal? I have attached some photos to help explain what I'm refering to. Thanks, Brian
 

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J Levine said:
What you are referring to is a vent line on the siphon break. Check out this link I found....

http://www.marinegenerators.info/kohler/lit/TT783.PDF
Click to expand...
Jon, thanks for the link. Does yours have that vent line coming from the top of the siphon break? The manual link shows a "reed valve assembly" at the top of the siphon. Mine has the clear tube (vent line) coming from it. Do you ever notice water in yours? Maybe I'm just being paranoid? Thanks again, Brian
 
Brian,

My Westerbeke does not have a siphon break because it is mounted completely above the water line in my engine room. I am not sure what is going on with your set up, maybe someone else is that is more familliar with it can chime in. Was the gennie factory installed?

Jon
 
It's my understanding that a functional reed valve should not be allowing water OUT into the clear tube. Did you check the reed valve to see if it was bad?
 
I have the same issue with my Kohler. Water coming out of the clear hose while running. I have a mechanic looking into this today, I will let you know what they find out.

He did mention that it has to do with the siphon break though.
 
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AndreasW said:
I have the same issue with my Kohler. Water coming out of the clear hose while running. I have a mechanic looking into this today, I will let you know what they find out.

He did mention that it has to do with the siphon break though.
Click to expand...
Andreas, Did you get an answer from the mechanic yet?
 
He is still working on it $$$$ :smt009. But he thinks that either the siphon break valve is broken and needs to be replaced or the whole shipon brake tube needs to be moved above the water line (right now it sits below) by installing a little longer hose. Look at the pdf chart that was attached in this thread.

Siphon break must be at least 12 in. (30 cm)
above water line when craft is loaded to
maximum capacity. Due to the variety of
possible installations, no hose is supplied with
the kit. Hose required is a 5/8 in. (16 mm) ID.​
Click to expand...
 
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Update. Andreas told me he had his siphon break replaced and no more water. So... I called my service manager. Again, he told me it was normal for water to be coming through that clear tube. I also called Kohler and the woman I spoke with said some water was normal. So why would salt water emptying into an engine compartment be "normal" ? Oh well, the unit seems to be working properly and was seviced in the Spring. Impellers, zinc, and spark plugs changed. I can actually get the darn thing to start on the second try too. :)
 
Bridog said:
....So... I called my service manager. Again, he told me it was normal for water to be coming through that clear tube. I also called Kohler and the woman I spoke with said some water was normal.......
Click to expand...

It is NOT normal for the siphon break to leak water through the hose. If it does, the tiny 'flapper valve' needs to be replaced. For the original Kohler siphon break loop, the valve is part # 328666, and it's less than $5. That shouldn't break the bank, unless you're saving up for a deluxe can of gourmet pork 'n beans. Easy to replace, too- Just unscrew the top cap with the hose on it, and you'll see where it goes.
 
I had that problem about one year ago, the flapper valve was not closing properly due to a small piece of debris, no more problems since.

Javier
08 DA
 
Scupper Guppy said:
It is NOT normal for the siphon break to leak water through the hose. If it does, the tiny 'flapper valve' needs to be replaced. For the original Kohler siphon break loop, the valve is part # 328666, and it's less than $5. That shouldn't break the bank, unless you're saving up for a deluxe can of gourmet pork 'n beans. Easy to replace, too- Just unscrew the top cap with the hose on it, and you'll see where it goes.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info and part number. Another call to Marine Max is in order. By the way...I love baked beans:)
 
The siphon break valve must be above the waterline. That's the whole point of having it on a separate loop of hose. So when replacing it double check it is high enough and if not replace the hoses with longer ones.
 
If your generator ever backfired it would have broken the small valves in the siphon valve. The siphon valve should not leak any water. It is any easy fix and the part is readily available.
 
My problem might have been different, but instead of a trickle it was pissing full force. What I learned was that there was a recall on the catalyst - the holes were too small. Because of the salt buildup mine was completely plugged, and therefore the only exit for the raw water was through this siphon break. It ended up being a warranty issue and was fully covered. Good luck with it! Kevin
 
I am having this issue on my 340. I took a look a the siphon break (removed the part that the clear hose attaches to) and could not see a flapper. Is this something that should be easily visible? I am not sure if the previous owner had the catalyst fixed under warranty. How would I be able to tell? When looking at the service bulletin, it looked like the original catalyst was black in color. The current one on the generator is silver.

Are there certain model numbers and/or labels I can look for to see if it has been replaced?

I'm hoping it is just the $5 part, but would be good to check on the other issue too.
 
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