Surging / Stalling Generator

[JimFromMD]

Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone has had this experience. My kohler 5E runs fine but occasionally starts to surge slowly, then faster, then bogg down, then stall. Havent isolated the issue yet, but I have checked the temp (around 200 degrees on the block), 90 degrees-ish as it dumps back into the river, and plenty of water volume passing through. Also changed to new spark plugs, and gapped both the new, and to verify the gap on the old. Took off my spin-on water sep fuel filter, and dumped it in a bottle. No water seemed to be present. Oil level within spec.

Question, if I was overloading the generator, I assume it would either over heat, or blow a breaker right? The only other suggestions I've gotten from the raft up crew this weekend was that perhaps one of the electronic safety sensors built into the generator to protect it, is malfunctioning?

Any ideas would be great.

Thanks
James

 

[scoflaw]

There is another fuel filter besides the water seperator one.

I had choke issues with mine, you might want to look at that.

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

Just found out yesterday from a certified Kohler tech that the spark plugs on the Kawasaki engines foul in as little as 20 hours running time. When I asked what the fix was he said Kohler recommends replacing the plug each time.????????????????
George

 

[JimFromMD]

Just found out yesterday from a certified Kohler tech that the spark plugs on the Kawasaki engines foul in as little as 20 hours running time. When I asked what the fix was he said Kohler recommends replacing the plug each time.????????????????
George

George,
In poking around I read that some people have recommended switching to a hotter spark plug. I dont have the part number handy. I did replace mine with the factory recommended plug and that hasnt solved it. Then again, the original plugs worked fine too.

What tech did you talk to? Maybe I could talk with them about my issue. One place said that it sounded like a partially clogged fuel jet in the carb or that the intake needle may be restricting flow and when i load up the gen it needs more fuel. Said if its a carb rebuild =$650 or new carb = $750. That seems a bit extreme to me, so a 2nd opinion would be great.

James

 

[JimFromMD]

Has anyone ever cleaned the carb on their generator? Something hard to do or best to call the techs?

James

 

[gerryb]

Clean out the carb with gum out. there are two points at which you can get to the carb with it on the generator. Then force the unit to a higher RPM to get the fuel going through the carb which will further clean-out the gunk. The problem is often that the primary jets are gunked up so that the units runs on the other jets but doesn't run properly. On my unit, I had the same problems...Just ran like crap whenever a load was on it. Fuel got all gummed-up over winter. Ran great after my tune-up. Now I drain the carbs for winter layup for all my small engines....which reminds me that I also use PB Engine Tune up and have found it to be a great product for all small engines..

 

[JimFromMD]

Clean out the carb with gum out. there are two points at which you can get to the carb with it on the generator. Then force the unit to a higher RPM to get the fuel going through the carb which will further clean-out the gunk. The problem is often that the primary jets are gunked up so that the units runs on the other jets but doesn't run properly. On my unit, I had the same problems...Just ran like crap whenever a load was on it. Fuel got all gummed-up over winter. Ran great after my tune-up. Now I drain the carbs for winter layup for all my small engines....which reminds me that I also use PB Engine Tune up and have found it to be a great product for all small engines..

Gerry,
Tried to PM you but your inbox and sent mail on here is full... can you clear out or send me a PM? I wanted to send you a diagram to see if you can show me where the openings are for the carb cleaner. Im hoping not to remove it from the generator.

 

[Escapade]

I too have had this isuue. Changed impeller, Oil & Filter, & Plugs. Problem seems to come and go. I did buy the facory fuel fulter for it but, for the life of me can not find where it is to replace. Any help appecitaed.

 

[JimFromMD]

I too have had this isuue. Changed impeller, Oil & Filter, & Plugs. Problem seems to come and go. I did buy the facory fuel fulter for it but, for the life of me can not find where it is to replace. Any help appecitaed.

Here are the two diagrams I found. Where would you spray (from the outside) with it still connected to the generator. Sorry I wish i could find a better diagram that didnt show it totally disassembled.