2006 Kohler 5E Genny - cutting in and out

[Korkie]

Looking for some diagnostic input. 2006 5E Genny in 340 will start and run fine before leaving dock. It will run for as long as 2 hours and not even hiccup. Leave dock and run up on plain for 15 min or so and it will either shut down while running or shortly after mooring. When attempting to re start, it will diesel for a brief period and shut down or on occasion will smooth out and run 5 min or so before shutting down again. If it will not start back up, manually moving the choke over will most times get it going and will keep running while holding the choke partially closed, although the genny is certainly warmed up and shouldn't need to be choked. Advancing the throttle a little will also some times help keep it running. Certainly seems like a carb issue, but as stated above, it will run for 2 hours at the dock before pulling out. I am changing the fuel filter, for this reason and it is due anyway. I have cleaned the carb, but did the same thing after. This Genny does not have display of fault codes, etc. It does have an obvious temp sender that makes no difference whether it is hooked up or not. New impeller this spring, heat exchanger cleaned as well. Exhaust water is warm (bathwater temp) to the touch, top of Genny coolant reservoir is HOT, cannot hold hand on it at all.

 

[Wanderer 290]

1st off running on plane may starve the genny of cooling water?

2nd I had a carb problem just like you describe and after 2 rebuilds back to back I bought a new carb and that resolved the problem.
I did cross the kohler carb to a Kawasaki # and saved a $100.

 

[R-and-R]

Looking for some diagnostic input. 2006 5E Genny in 340 will start and run fine before leaving dock. It will run for as long as 2 hours and not even hiccup. Leave dock and run up on plain for 15 min or so and it will either shut down while running or shortly after mooring. When attempting to re start, it will diesel for a brief period and shut down or on occasion will smooth out and run 5 min or so before shutting down again. If it will not start back up, manually moving the choke over will most times get it going and will keep running while holding the choke partially closed, although the genny is certainly warmed up and shouldn't need to be choked. Advancing the throttle a little will also some times help keep it running. Certainly seems like a carb issue, but as stated above, it will run for 2 hours at the dock before pulling out. I am changing the fuel filter, for this reason and it is due anyway. I have cleaned the carb, but did the same thing after. This Genny does not have display of fault codes, etc. It does have an obvious temp sender that makes no difference whether it is hooked up or not. New impeller this spring, heat exchanger cleaned as well. Exhaust water is warm (bathwater temp) to the touch, top of Genny coolant reservoir is HOT, cannot hold hand on it at all.

I had a similar problem.
Suspected overheating due to water starvation when on plane.
New impeller fixed it for me.

 

[Jeremygavin]

1st off running on plane may starve the genny of cooling water?

2nd I had a carb problem just like you describe and after 2 rebuilds back to back I bought a new carb and that resolved the problem.
I did cross the kohler carb to a Kawasaki # and saved a $100.

This would be my guess too. I tried rebuilding the carb on the Kohler on my 340da could never get it to run right. I put a carb on it and it ran great after that. It is strange that it runs OK at the dock and you have an issue once On plane but I’d stay it’s still worth put a carburetor on it.

 

[Korkie]

Hey Jeremy - hope all is well. It will run on plane and off plane. The weird part is it will run at my dock for 2 hours. After I run out and anchor it will run for a while and turn off. I did order a carb, here tomorrow. Also changing out the fuel filter and plugs - they are just due. Don't think it is the temp as when I do get it restarted a very short time after it shuts down it will run for 10-20 minutes. Wanderer and R n R, I have always run on plane and had no issues. All this is new. Will do the carb, plugs and filter and see how things go. Headed out for a 10 day trip Saturday so trying to get her 100% before leaving. A couple of nights are on the hook.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Hey Jeremy - hope all is well. It will run on plane and off plane. The weird part is it will run at my dock for 2 hours. After I run out and anchor it will run for a while and turn off. I did order a carb, here tomorrow. Also changing out the fuel filter and plugs - they are just due. Don't think it is the temp as when I do get it restarted a very short time after it shuts down it will run for 10-20 minutes. Wanderer and R n R, I have always run on plane and had no issues. All this is new. Will do the carb, plugs and filter and see how things go. Headed out for a 10 day trip Saturday so trying to get her 100% before leaving. A couple of nights are on the hook.

I think you should be good by doing those maintenance items. I know those motors were picky about clean plugs too. I changed them every year as cheap insurance against issues during the season.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Oh, I did experience a couple overheat’s back to back a couple years ago and a new heat exchanger cap (radiator cap) fixed that.

 

[Korkie]

Well guys - I switched out the fuel filter, 2 new plugs and a new carb. Runs great. Took her out for a 5 mile run with genny on and came home and let er sit in the slip a run for about 2 hours. Now the problem is it will not turn off. What gives ??? Will not turn off from the switch on the electrical panel or the start / stop switch on the genny itself. It will turn off if I remove the top fuse of the 3 stacked fuses to the right of the switch on the genny. I thought I read on here somewhere that this is causes by a relay? Any ideas?

 

[outobie]

sorry to but in on this thread but do you guys have the correct part number for the Kohler 5E generator's Impeller

 

[Windjammer]

359978 is for the Kohler 5..am guessing the the 5E is the same..

 

[Korkie]

Well guys - I switched out the fuel filter, 2 new plugs and a new carb. Runs great. Took her out for a 5 mile run with genny on and came home and let er sit in the slip a run for about 2 hours. Now the problem is it will not turn off. What gives ??? Will not turn off from the switch on the electrical panel or the start / stop switch on the genny itself. It will turn off if I remove the top fuse of the 3 stacked fuses to the right of the switch on the genny. I thought I read on here somewhere that this is causes by a relay? Any ideas?

Update - turned out to be the control board. the Relay on the board was getting the message to shut down the spark, fuel pump and power feed. Replaced control board and good to go. Got some really good help from cust serv at Kohler.

 

[Korkie]

359978 is for the Kohler 5..am guessing the the 5E is the same..

Yup - correct guess.