Kohler 5K generator won't start when boat engine has been running

B

Brando99

Member
Feb 18, 2014
85
Canyon Lake, Texas
Boat Info
2011 Meridian 391
Engines
Twin Cummins 5.9 QSB 380hp
My kohler 5k generator will start/run while the boat has been sitting and the engine is cold. After the boat has been running and we anchor the generator will not start. I can run it all day while at the dock. Its after we go for a ride is when it wont start. Any suggestions? Impeller is good (new). I had the dealer look at it yesterday and they ran it for 45 minutes in the slip. Weather was too bad for them to take it for a ride.
generator.jpg
generator.jpg
generator.jpg
 
What's it do? Does it crank and just won't fire? Or does it do nothing?
 
Brando99 said:
Dealer mentioned that. Not sure how I can check that? any suggestions?
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Is there a way for you to disconnect the fuel line to the genny from the gas tank, and place the end into a fresh jug of fuel? This way you would know if it's a fuel delivery issue.
 
JimG said:
What's it do? Does it crank and just won't fire? Or does it do nothing?
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It cranks/runs fine before we take the boat out for a ride. After a 30 minute ride we usually anchor somewhere in the lake and the generator will crank but not run.
 
That narrows it down to fuel, spark or air... It sounds like a heat related issue. Could be a fuel delivery issue like Kevin suggests, or it could be the heat affecting the ignition system. You could check for spark while its hot. Either with a spark tester or (the fun way!) by removing one of the plugs, grounding the case with the plug wire on, and crank it and look for spark.

Disclaimer:
Rubber gloves or insulated pliers a must! Also be sure to air out the bilge to make sure there are no fuel fumes.
 
JimG said:
That narrows it down to fuel, spark or air... It sounds like a heat related issue. Could be a fuel delivery issue like Kevin suggests, or it could be the heat affecting the ignition system. You could check for spark while its hot. Either with a spark tester or (the fun way!) by removing one of the plugs, grounding the case with the plug wire on, and crank it and look for spark.

Disclaimer:
Rubber gloves or insulated pliers a must! Also be sure to air out the bilge to make sure there are no fuel fumes.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll give it a try this weekend
 
bbwhitejr said:
In a pinch, you can always crank it in the slip and leave it running while you are running the boat.

Bennett
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This doesn't solve the underlying problem but it's what we do. Genny is fired up and AC switched over before we leave the slip. It runs until we return and plug in the shore power.
 
JimT said:
This doesn't solve the underlying problem but it's what we do. Genny is fired up and AC switched over before we leave the slip. It runs until we return and plug in the shore power.
Click to expand...

Does it do it in the spring or when it is really cooler? You would think that heat generated by the engines would be the culprit...

Bennett
 
Looks like you have the display, do you get an error message?
 
Cocktail Time said:
Looks like you have the display, do you get an error message?
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Gauge lights are good. Generator error messages are all different, never the same. I looked in the Kohler manual under troubleshooting. Listed a few different things, (bad fuel filter, thin oil) I'm changing both this coming weekend. I hope it works
 
Do you run the bilge blowers 100% of the time you are underway? May help to keep the engine room temp from getting too high.
 
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