Kohler generator issue

N

Nmor830

Member
Sep 12, 2016
90
Channel Islands
Boat Info
2008 340 Sundancer
Engines
8.1l Mercruisers
Hi All,
2008 340DA generator starts, runs for a few seconds then shuts down. LOC code shows on display. Researching here tells me it's the impeller. I just wondering. I had the bottom cleaned on my regular service. The intake strainer looks clean and the gen has about 120 hrs. on it. It seems odd that it failed right after the cleaning. Is there a chance some loose debris could have been sucked up causing the blockage or is it just time to replace the impeller? Just trying to figure out the simplist solution.
Thanks,
Nick
 
LOC = Loss of Coolant. 120 hours... Change the impeller... fairly easy job.
 
It's possible there was some debris sucked up after the cleaning but I would think the generator would have had to be running at the time. I'd open up the sea strainer and leave sea cock open to see what kind of flow you have. It's possible something is stuck in the hose that leads to the strainer.

If you notice only a trickle of water coming out of the strainer you have a restriction between the thru-hull and the strainer which a coat hanger will usually clear. If you have plenty of water coming through the strainer it might be the impeller as suggested.

I mention this only because here in Florida I'm constantly sucking up sea grass through the thru-hull. The grass never makes its way into the strainer but will bunch up right at the inlet to the strainer inside the hose.

This thread might also be helpful:
http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/kohler-loc-shutdown-problem.53930/
 
Boater420 said:
It's possible there was some debris sucked up after the cleaning but I would think the generator would have had to be running at the time. I'd open up the sea strainer and leave sea cock open to see what kind of flow you have. It's possible something is stuck in the hose that leads to the strainer.

If you notice only a trickle of water coming out of the strainer you have a restriction between the thru-hull and the strainer which a coat hanger will usually clear. If you have plenty of water coming through the strainer it might be the impeller as suggested.

I mention this only because here in Florida I'm constantly sucking up sea grass through the thru-hull. The grass never makes its way into the strainer but will bunch up right at the inlet to the strainer inside the hose.

This thread might also be helpful:
http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/kohler-loc-shutdown-problem.53930/
Click to expand...
Great idea about the hanger. I'll give that a try before swapping the impeller. Thanks
 
If it is not the impeller with mine it is always something in the elbow between the strainer and the seacock as mentioned above. If the waterflow is restricted it can shutdown quickly.
 
If slow water flow coming into strainer, remove basket and blow air through using a wet/dry vac until you hear bubbles blowing below hull. I have done this in the past with great results.
 
electricaldoctor said:
If slow water flow coming into strainer, remove basket and blow air through using a wet/dry vac until you hear bubbles blowing below hull. I have done this in the past with great results.
Click to expand...
Great idea. I pushed a wire through the hose but it stopped at the intake valve. Checked the impeller and it looks to be in good shape. When started no water comes through exhaust, shuts down in seconds. (LOC) The strainer is clean and when trying to see flow rate I can't get down in the bilge fast enough to see before it shuts down. Going to try the vac tomorrow to see If hose is clear.
Thanks
 
There's no need to start the generator to test for raw water flow. Unscrew the cap from the sea strainer while leaving the sea-cock open. You should see a strong supply of water flowing out of the top of the strainer.

I usually remove the hose leading from the thru-hull to the strainer. Once the hose is off, open the sea-cock. Water should gush up out of the thru-hull. If it's not gushing you have an obstruction in the thru-hull. In my case it's usually barnacles have grown over the inlet. I use a long screwdriver and push it through the open thru-hull and tap away the barnacles until i have water flow.

If the thru-hull is gushing water, there's a blockage in the hose leading to the strainer. This is usually sea grass which I can blow out with compressed air or use the coat hanger to push the sea grass through the hose.

If you have no obstructions in either the thru-hull or the hose it's upstream from there like a blocked heat exchanger or a bad impeller.
 
Ok this ones got me stumped. Used a shop vac to suck up water through the the strainer and it flowed fine. Filled the shop vac pretty quick. Changed the impeller. Old one looked fine. No broken vanes but changed anyhow. Started gen, runs but no water coming out exaust and shuts down in 10 seconds and LOC displays.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Nick
 
Nmor830 said:
Ok this ones got me stumped. Used a shop vac to suck up water through the the strainer and it flowed fine. Filled the shop vac pretty quick. Changed the impeller. Old one looked fine. No broken vanes but changed anyhow. Started gen, runs but no water coming out exaust and shuts down in 10 seconds and LOC displays.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Nick
Click to expand...
Obviously you have a blockage in the exchanger system somewhere... start taking it apart.
 
Have you had all your recalls done on your unit?

If it's a Kolter grab you model number and S/N number and look on their web site.

I had one in my 2011 and they changed out the exhaust because something could/would melt causing a fire.
 
Take the end plate off that the impeller housing attaches to. Behind this, you will find a "quarter sized" yellow/orange phenolic coupling that connects the engine shaft to the impeller shaft. Without this coupling, the impeller is not turning and you will never pump water. It is simple to get to and easy to replace. Here is the Kohler part number.
Drive Sleeve-engine to 359448
impeller shaft(Coupling)

Bennett
 
Misterhelms said:
Guys - can I ask a stupid question? I just bought a 04 340 DA. Generator was running fine and well maintained. Driving up the ICW in NC and the alarm goes off for the generator. I immediate shut it off and when we stop for the day try to turn it on to see if I can diagnose the issue. As stated here no water coming out of the exhaust. I don’t have an LED readout so there are no codes to determine issue but started it up to see if water would come out of the exhaust which it didn’t.

My question is this - when I open up the sea strainer with the sea cock open would water rush into the boat if it was unclogged? I didn’t think about it until later but trying to figure out if it’s an impeller issue or blockage. With no water coming in I’m thinking it’s blockage. I don’t have a wet/dry vac but thinking of either using a coat hanger or turning on the hose and try to push out the blockage that way.
Click to expand...

Review #13 above
 
It could also be buildup/blockage upstream. Saltwater and ethanol are very bad for those generators.
 
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