Kohler 5CE Problem

C

Captain Morgan

New Member
Jan 2, 2009
31
Indiana
Boat Info
320 Sundancer 2006
Engines
350 Mercruiser w/Bravo III
Since I bought my 2006 320DA I have had a problem with the genny throttling up and down. Most of the time after 5 minutes or so it would stop. Once I had it under load it would do the throttling problem. I noticed this weekend that the choke was fully extended. I move the choke half way and it stopped. Any ideas?
 
I think he meant 200 but I also recall seeing threads on lubricating the choke linkage. Try a search (it seems to work better now) and you should find quite a few threads identifying the same problem. Good luck.
 
I replaced the plugs as suggested and for the most part it fixed the problem. I believe though this is more of a bandage rather than a fix. I have owned this same genset before on another boat and it worked without any problems. I have called the Kohler rep and they are going to visit my boat. I'll keep you posted with what we find. Thanks again for your comments.
 
Have you changed the fuel filter along with the plugs? I don't know what the differences between my 5E and your 5CE units are but mine works like a champ. I also changed out the coolant, oil filter and switched to full synthetic oil before this season.
 
I believe the problem is with your choke linkage, sounds like it needs to be adjusted and lubricated.
 
I mistyped I have a 5E. I tried lubricating the linkage. I do believe though you are in the right area......carb/choke. I have had one of these before so I know how they are suppose to run. They are coming out Friday I'll let you know what they find. Thanks for the suggestions.
 
There are two screws on the choke assembly. Loosen them slightly and turn it to lessen the amount of choke that is applied, and it should fix the issue.

What lake in IN are you on?
 
We are in Lake Monroe in Bloomington, IN - Four Winds Marina.

The Kohler guys were here today. All they did was replace the plugs, which is what I did a few days ago using exactly what the factory manual said to use. KOHLER said that the factory spece'd plug let the engine run too cold therefore causing the plugs to foul. Instead of using a BPR4 they used a BPR6. The tech said for the two hours they were there running the generator that it never had a problem as he loaded and unloaded the genny. I hope it works as they said but if they send me a bill for a couple hundred bucks it is not going to go well ON THE PHONE
 
Well for the first time in four years that I have owned the boat the generator finally runs the way it suppose to. By using a slight larger plug the genny runs great.
 
I read On another forum that using a hotter running plug would reduce plug fouling. Looks like that is what the Kohler guys think also. I may do the same when I replace my plugs.
 
Well the generator saga continues........after running generator for 20 hours with new plugs without a problem it stopped and will not restart. I was running generator last weekend for about an hour and it just died. The starter will run but it is like their is no gas. Talked to kohler rep today and he says there is a solnoid in the carborator bowl that shuts off gas if generator turns upside down. He says he typically see this problem when varnish accumulates on valve and causes it to stay shut. Told me to remove 12 v from solnoid then connect 12v from starter to solonoid If I hear a click then it is working and that I should test fuel pump the same way. If it is valve then I need to take valve out and clean with cleaner.
 
Well after downloading the service manual for the genny and a lot of conversations I found that the fuel pump stop working. Since I didn't get the boat out last year and left it in storage I have had to replace a number of rubber check valves this season. Not knowing for sure but I bet there is a rubber item in the fuel pump. Well I'm back up and running.
 
My gen has 9 hours on it and it just started surging last weekend. I find it hard to believe the plugs would be bad, but I will check them. I called a Kohler service center and the tech thinks it could be just a small governor adjustment. We will see who is right.
 
The BPR6 is a hotter plug. Won't foul like a colder plug can (BPR4).

How often are you changing your impeller? It's a 5 minute job on a $28 part, and two years is too long to go. I've added it to my annual service checklist...
 
Changed plugs yesterday to a hotter range plug, problem SOLVED! Called Kohler tech and told him what I did, he said "yea that's what we would try first". 4$ dollars Autozone.
 
I would check NGKs website - I thought their heat ranges were opposite of what were used to. BPR4 is hotter than BPR6, but my memory is cloudier than it used to be. Also kohler had a problem w/ choke pull-off piston getting stuck in its bore causing rich running, fouled plugs, surging under load. The fix was replace complete choke housing and linkage, Not that expensive but took a while to duplicate customers complaint. lost money on the first one, but made it up on all after that. Good luck
 
Changed the plugs on my 5E for the surging issue, it helped but the problem was not solved. Purchased a new carb for 213.00 changed it in 15 mins, no surging at all! Ran for 15 hours since and still no surging, Surging was a fuel issue.
 
JoeyD and Aquaaddiction - you guys are correct...hmmm.

AC plugs are hotter with a higher number. A colder plug works better on an engine that is heavily loaded, and a warmer plug works better on a lightly loaded or idling engine...Maybe that's why the BPR6ES' are working better than the BPR4ES'....

Let me look on mine this weekend and see what the plugs are. It runs with no problems.
 
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