Generator Question

[Beer Hunter]

I own an '06 SeaRay 340 DA that is equipped with a 5KW Kohler Gasoline powered auxiliary generator installed aft of the starboard engine. I recently had to change the impeller, and in the course of doing so found the old impeller had broken up. Since the new one was installed however, even though the generator operates ok, it does appear to be noisy and after running for 5 minutes appears to exhaust more smoke than before...and certainly more smoke than others I see. Does anyone have any thoughts what might have happened?

 

[Southpaw II]

The noise and smoke probably are the result of restricted water flow. If the impeller breaks up, it's important to find the broken/missing pieces. If they get lost in the cooling circuit, they will restrict flow....less water flow results in more noise and smoke. Check the heat exchanger.

Good luck,

Don

 

[AKBASSKING]

Time to tear down the raw water cooling system to find those broke parts. Oh and Welcome....:grin:

 

[Beer Hunter]

Don...as I feared. Thanks for the response.

 

[Beer Hunter]

Oh joy. Thanks Akbassking:

Time to tear down the raw water cooling system to find those broke parts. Oh and Welcome....:grin:

 

[jason78]

Don...as I feared. Thanks for the response.

You can start by removing the hose that runs from the pump to the heat exchanger and flushing it. When helping others, I have often found pieces get trapped in the bends of that hose before traveling in to the heat exchanger. If not, you will probably have to backflush or tear down the system as others have suggested. In the future, a yearly change for that impeller is good PM. They are known to not last long.

 

[Sum Escape]

A method I have used sucessfully on my genset is to use a shop vac to get the old pieces out. Close sea strainer, remove out put hose from water pump, tape shop vac hose to this hose and suck out the missing pieces. Make sure you tape open the "flapper" on your exhaust port (If you have one) when you do this to maximize the back flow into the shop vac. I hope this works for you.....it beats the heck out of trying to get at the heat exchanger in my boat's set up.

 

[Beer Hunter]

Excellent idea. I'm going to give it try. Thanks Sum Escape:

A method I have used sucessfully on my genset is to use a shop vac to get the old pieces out. Close sea strainer, remove out put hose from water pump, tape shop vac hose to this hose and suck out the missing pieces. Make sure you tape open the "flapper" on your exhaust port (If you have one) when you do this to maximize the back flow into the shop vac. I hope this works for you.....it beats the heck out of trying to get at the heat exchanger in my boat's set up.