Generator Exhaust soot

[Nauti 97]

I have a 2000/westerbeke Generator in my 380 Sundancer.
When I start it up there is black soot that comes out of the exhaust port.
What is the cause and Solution?

 

[Steve S]

I have a 2000/westerbeke Generator in my 380 Sundancer.
When I start it up there is black soot that comes out of the exhaust port.
What is the cause and Solution?

Gas or diesel?

 

[bahamabreisus]

Time for new spark plugs, even though running well, still change them This will most likely fix your issue.

 

[Bill Curtis]

Is genset gas or diesel?

You condition would appear to be an excess fuel (rich) condition, caused by a number of things, such as a stuck injector, carb calibration / float problem (if carbed), an ECM / sensor problem (if Fuel Injected) or retarded timing setting.

 

[Bill Curtis]

Delete. Double post for some odd reason

 

[douglee25]

How long does it take to clear up?

 

[Nauti 97]

Gas or diesel?

Gas

 

[Nauti 97]

How long does it take to clear up?

A few seconds and then exhaust
Water runs clear until I shut it off.

 

[douglee25]

I'd probably support a tune up as stated above. Carb could possibly need a cleaning as well.

 

[Bill Curtis]

Cleaning, tune up. Since it's fuel injected, there is no choke. Is your flame arrestor (air cleaner) clean? A dirty one can make the engine run rich.

 

[Timeflys]

The Gen in my 2002 is a Westerbeke 3 cylinder carbureted…. it has an idle jet screw that should be adjusted to avoid soot on start up. I would also check the filter screen for dirt.

I’m not sure of your specific model, but here is a link for the Westerbeke site.

https://www.westerbeke.com/carburetedgeneratorslibrary.htm

 

[Bill Curtis]

I stand corrected, thinking it was FI. The idle adjustment, flame arrester cleanliness and / or choke would all cause what you are seeing.

Check that carb choke adjustment. If plate is closed too much = rich / black soot.

Maybe the choke solenoid isn't up to snuff.

 

[Nauti 97]

View attachment 130845 The Gen in my 2002 is a Westerbeke 3 cylinder carbureted…. it has an idle jet screw that should be adjusted to avoid soot on start up. I would also check the filter screen for dirt.

I’m not sure of your specific model, but here is a link for the Westerbeke site.

https://www.westerbeke.com/carburetedgeneratorslibrary.htm

Thanks
The start up and shut down are exactly when I get soot. I will adjust the idle jet this weekend!