Kohler wont pull in cooling water?

Happy Dayz

Active Member
Jun 26, 2017
543
Sarasota, FL
Boat Info
'06 260 Sundancer, 6.2, BIII, Kohler 5kw
79' classic Kona Family Cruiser jet boat..
Engines
6.2 w/ BIII, 502 w/ Berkekley
strange.. we ran it all night a few weeks ago until it shut off in the morning on its own.

so the strainer had a little debris but not enough to clog...
the impeller was replaced 6mo ago and was in good condition, soft...
turn over the engine and impellar spins fast..
removed the feed hose from impeller intake and backflushed, appears clear
can blow air easily through output hose from impeller..
i always flush my generator by sticking hose in the strainer with no problems
will not pull any water? dry exhaust...

perhaps bad hose? air getting in?

stumped

ideas from the CSR trust?
 
On a previous post I found out there is no strainer on the through hull as it acts as a scoop and can force water into the generator manifold. This has resulted in the bottom of the boat water entrance plugging off. To clear this I take the hose off from the strainer inlet and connect it to the potable water and force water through it. Some times it takes a couple of flushes to clear.
 
thanks guys...

the strainer feed thru hull is clear... i actually cupped by hand my hose in the strainer top to force water and it didnt flow... i have high gpm on the hose and normally sucks in about all of it...

no screen for fault code .. have to look at leds and have not yet... but clearly not flowing water...
 
I removed the pump and checked the coupler.. in good condiion...

Fired again.. for a moment it pulled water and stopped pulling running dry... ??

Replacing hardwall hose today....
 
1) If you remove the intake hose from the raw water pump and open the seacock does water flow at a reasonable rate? If it does, then the problem is with the pump and/or the heat exchanger.

2) Remove the pump hose from the heat exchanger, open the seacock and briefly start the generator. Water should be discharging at a high rate. If it does not, the problem is with the pump making pressure or a clogged hose.

3) If water shoots out of the heat exchanger hose, the heat exchanger has a blockage possibly due to debris from an impeller failure. This will stop the water flow.
 
Okay its got to be the pump...
Just replaced hose..
So i can run the gen with hose attached to outlet hose of pump, flows fine thru exhaust port...

Heres the stumper... gen running... it will not take ANY water with hose in new hose to inlet of pump...?? ...its litterally like it is blocked... wont even force in!

Confirmed pump spins, impeller is new soft, seals at front and rear of pump housing appear fine...?

Guess im going to replace all seals... stumped
 
I'm not sure the impeller is spinning properly.

1) impeller lock pin missing?
2) sheared impeller shaft?
3) pulley slipping on shaft?
4) broken belt?
5) loose belt?
6) In/Out hoses are switched.

It is something simple.
 
Last edited:
Had worked fine and stopped so has to be assembled properly prior..









 
Replacing impeller again and seals...
 
Doesn't make sense. I would definitely bench test it before putting it back on the generator. Maybe it is the picture.....but check the hub on the impeller. It looks like it has a clear line all the way around the hub. I have never seen a spun hub on a generator impeller but there is always a first time.
 
Doesn't make sense. I would definitely bench test it before putting it back on the generator. Maybe it is the picture.....but check the hub on the impeller. It looks like it has a clear line all the way around the hub. I have never seen a spun hub on a generator impeller but there is always a first time.
PlayDate thank you!
Spun impeller.. wow have not read about this one...
But so happy and my sanity now holding ...lol
So we now have fresh hoses and paint too! Always make better than before...
 
PlayDate thank you!
Spun impeller.. wow have not read about this one...
But so happy and my sanity now holding ...lol
So we now have fresh hoses and paint too! Always make better than before...
Sorry I didn't see this sooner - I had a brand new impeller spin on the shaft on my 340's Kohler. Since it was so easy to change, I would do it annually...

BTW - I never had a problem with it, but I believe there is a coupler on the shaft also...
 
BTW - I never had a problem with it, but I believe there is a coupler on the shaft also...

i was just reading this thread and was going to say the same thing before I saw it was the spun impeller. I had the coupler break on me a few years ago on my old boat and it had me stumped for a good hour before I could figure it out. FWIW, I would suggest anyone with a Kohler buy a spare one if you rely on your genny at all. It was a $20 rubber coupler that incapacitated the genny. It is also a known issue and kohler now has an updated part for it.

here is the part: https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Kohler-Impeller-Sleeve-359448/dp/B01N5V7KR6
 
^^^ mine has the updated sleeve..

put in the new impeller and shes purrin and spittin like a kitten..!
 
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