So, it's running now? Was it just in need of a tuneup?
generator won't crank - please help!
- Thread starter 74Alfa
- Start date
74Alfa
Member
No, still not running for more than 10 minutes. I'm pulling the carb today.
74Alfa
Member
Keeping anyone who's interested up to date...
I bought a laser-thermometer and ran the generator until it quit. The area just above the exhaust temp switch was about 100 degrees F, and the coolant cap was over 195. I think I'm overheating and ordered a new thermostat and gasket.
Thanks.
I bought a laser-thermometer and ran the generator until it quit. The area just above the exhaust temp switch was about 100 degrees F, and the coolant cap was over 195. I think I'm overheating and ordered a new thermostat and gasket.
Thanks.
74Alfa
Member
I replaced the thermostat today and the generator ran for about 20 minutes. I was sure I had it fixed but then it shut down again. Here's the temps at various locations (degrees F):
- Manifold, about 220
- Block, about 220
- Just above exhaust overheat switch, about 120
- Coolant cap, about 165
Anyone know whether or not I'm still overheating? I also checked the oil and think I over-filled it since I'm above the lines. Not sure if this would make a difference.
Thanks.
- Manifold, about 220
- Block, about 220
- Just above exhaust overheat switch, about 120
- Coolant cap, about 165
Anyone know whether or not I'm still overheating? I also checked the oil and think I over-filled it since I'm above the lines. Not sure if this would make a difference.
Thanks.
I will offer this as a long shot:
I had an Onan gennie in my last boat that would run great for about 10 minutes and then shut down. After a few months of very frustrating troubleshooting (and part changing) I called an Onan service center.
I got a very helpful tech on the phone who said it was the fuel pump. Fuel pump? "It starts and runs great" I said. He said when they get old, an internal thermal couple shuts them down from the heat. They cool down and work fine for another 10 minutes, and so on.
He told me to run the gennie until it shuts down and have a jumper wire from battery positive ready. Jump immediately to fuel pump positive and listen for the pump to "whine" (to indicate it's operating). It was dead silent. He was right....fuel pump.
I had an Onan gennie in my last boat that would run great for about 10 minutes and then shut down. After a few months of very frustrating troubleshooting (and part changing) I called an Onan service center.
I got a very helpful tech on the phone who said it was the fuel pump. Fuel pump? "It starts and runs great" I said. He said when they get old, an internal thermal couple shuts them down from the heat. They cool down and work fine for another 10 minutes, and so on.
He told me to run the gennie until it shuts down and have a jumper wire from battery positive ready. Jump immediately to fuel pump positive and listen for the pump to "whine" (to indicate it's operating). It was dead silent. He was right....fuel pump.
I was just reading the troubleshooting guild. Fuel issues still top the list. Check it first! Did you remove and clean the carb? Also check the fuel pump, it could be working till it gets warm and shutting down. Next on the list would be the oil pressure sending switch.
