Kohler Generator Issues

M

met827

New Member
Dec 26, 2011
7
Orlando, Fl
Boat Info
280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 5.0
I have 2003 SeaRay 280 Sundancer with a Kohler Generator. The generator runs perfectly on trailer at the repair shop but when you take to water, it won't run for more than 5 minutes without turning itself off. Any suggestions or input would be great! I have went two different authorized Kohler repair centers but no luck. Thanks
 
Are you getting water flowing through the system when running in the water? Sounds like you may be losing he prime when moving it on the trailer.
 
check the oil level ... do not screw the dip stick all the way down when checking.. just rest it on top and take reading, then screw down when done.. This gets everybody, ask me how I know. The level the sensor sees may change when boat is in water. .. The gen-set has sensors for low oil and high temp

I will assume you have a Kohler 5E ... If the oil checks out, you may be hitting over temp . I will also assume you have water flow, but make sure you are not hitting over temp.
 
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JimT said:
Are you getting water flowing through the system when running in the water? Sounds like you may be losing he prime when moving it on the trailer.
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Yes when it does run, there is water flow. It has everyone puzzuled. Sometimes it runs for 5 minutes other times it could run for 4 hours.
 
I will double check the oil, but it was fine last week. I replaced the temp sensor last year. I have also heard there is a problem with co2 sensor on these models. Thanks !
 
How are you getting water to it on the trailer? Your impeller may not be pushing enough water when not being "fed" water, like when testing, even though you see some water passing through. Will it run sitting still? Try it at the dock and if it will not run, then try feeding water through manually.

MM
 
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Kohler 5E? I presume the Kohler techs checked this but....there is a square "tang" that drives the raw water impeller, has it broke?
Another possibility is ID of the raw water inlet hose is collapsing when drawing water from the through hull strainer.
 
MonacoMike said:
How are you getting water to it on the trailer? Your impeller may not be pushing enough water when not being "fed" water, like when testing, even though you see some water passing through. Will it run sitting still? Try it at the dock and if it will not run, then try feeding water through manually.

MM
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The techs at the shop leave it on the trailer, they feed it water. But, I will check with them.
 
met827 said:
The techs at the shop leave it on the trailer, they feed it water. But, I will check with them.
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How, is this a hose in the strainer? Might be as simple as a blockage in the pickup hose. Have they back flushed the pickup?
 
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The Kohler 5E also has a CO sensor. If there is enough CO building up in the engine room, then it will shut itself down automatically. The 5E throws error codes when it shuts itself down. Have you checked the error code before clearing it? I had that happen on my 300DA when running both engines and the generator at the dock to warm them up before changing the oil. Kohler says to always run the bilge blower when running the generator, but I generally don't. When moving on the water, there is enough air circulation, but sitting at the dock it caused the CO sensor to shut it down. These Kohler's are way to touchy about everything in my opinion. I had to add an electric prime pump to make sure the fuel source was 100% before start up, or it would run for 1 minute or less and shut down, also throwing an error code. Now I prime for 1 minute before start up, and allow the prime pump to run an additional minuet after start up. Solved that dumb flaw in Kohler's software.
 
If you have CO building up in the bilge because of the generator the first thing you should do is inspect the exhaust system. There should be no CO in the bilge because of the generator. A leak in the exhaust could cause this.
 
Westie said:
If you have CO building up in the bilge because of the generator the first thing you should do is inspect the exhaust system. There should be no CO in the bilge because of the generator. A leak in the exhaust could cause this.
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That depends on the boat configuration. My Gen set and exhaust are brand new and don't leak. But CO comes back over the transom from the exhaust from both the engines and the generator, and migrates into the rear area of the bilge where the generator is located. The Kohler manual says to leave the bilge blower on at all times when the generator is operating for that reason.
 
We are checking the CO2 sensor this weekend. Unfortunately, mine is an older unit that doesn't have display screen. Checked the oil and it is full and not overheating. Thanks for all the input everyone!
 
Check the coolant level and try bleeding the system ! If there is air in the system the coolant temp sensor will not be able to sense the coolant temp and will shut down the unit.
 
Sal A said:
Check the coolant level and try bleeding the system ! If there is air in the system the coolant temp sensor will not be able to sense the coolant temp and will shut down the unit.
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Ding Ding Ding! ... This one has my bet. Especially since you have water flowing out of the exhaust.
 
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Sal A said:
Check the coolant level and try bleeding the system ! If there is air in the system the coolant temp sensor will not be able to sense the coolant temp and will shut down the unit.
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I will check that out. We hadn't thought of that one! Thanks
 
Easy to do met first check if you have a leak next start the gen let it run a few min then crack the bleeder till coolant comes out good to go .
 
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