Generator wont start!

[Hans]

Couldn't get my generator to start after replacing the fuel filter. Looked at the display on the generator and found OC error. I looked up the error in the manual and found (Over Crank - See dealer). That helped a lot! :-( Wouldn't it be neat if the manual would suggest possible causes for the errors?

So, Bill (hack4alivin) and I went to the bay bridge boat show yesterday. Talked to a Kohler rep about my generator not starting. Told him about the error on the generator. I also mentioned that I had replaced the fuel filter. First thing he asked was, "Did you fill the filter with gas?", my reply was no. Didn't know you had to do that. He said to try that when I get back to the marina. So, I did, and guess what, live and learn. Problem solved. Hoo-rah!

Thought I would post this for those of you that are planning on changing the generator fuel filter. The filter will not completely fill back up itself.

NOTE: The OC error is a warning, DO NOT KEEP TRYING TO START THE GENERATOR! To do so could lead to water ingestion into the muffler. Because the generator is not running, there is no exhaust to push the water out the muffler. I was lucky that this DID NOT happen!

 

[hack4alivin]

Couldn't get my generator to start after replacing the fuel filter. Looked at the display on the generator and found OC error. I looked up the error in the manual and found (Over Crank - See dealer). That helped a lot!

So, Bill (hack4alivin) and I went to the bay bridge boat show yesterday. Talked to a Kohler rep about my generator not starting. Told him about the error on the generator. I also mentioned that I had replaced the fuel filter. First thing he asked was, "Did you fill the filter with gas?", my reply was no. Didn't know you had to do that. He said to try that when I get back to the marina. So, I did, and guess what, live and learn. Problem solved. Hoo-rah!

Thought I would post this for those of you that are planning on changing the generator fuel filter. The filter will not completely fill back up itself.

Good post Hans, but also remember the most important part. The OC error is a warning, DO NOT KEEP TRYING TO START THE GENERATOR! To do so could lead to water ingestion because there is no exhaust to push the water out the muffler. We were lucky!

 

[Hans]

You are absolutely correct Bill. Thank you for the additional information. I edited the original posting and added that.