Westerbeke gas geneator

Roger Williams

Roger Williams

Member
Jan 26, 2018
32
Boat Info
2000 searay sundancer 340
Engines
Mercruiser 7.4 MPI
7kw Bcgb westerbeke gas generator. Has worked great for years. Solenoid clicks, starter engages but engine will not crank over. Just a loud clunk and with no start. Any ideas or suggestions. Seems like it's seized but not sure what to check next. I have a video of what I am seeing and hearing.

https://youtube.com/shorts/xao3qx7yJIE?feature=share
 
Pull the plugs.....it sounds like it is locked up. Tell me what happens when you spin it with the plugs out.
 
PlayDate said:
Pull the plugs.....it sounds like it is locked up. Tell me what happens when you spin it with the plugs out.
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Thanks for the note. Will see if my big butt can get down there to pull a plug. As a note it was cranking this season but never got it running thus haven't used it otherwise has been fine in the past. The locked up is just new. What would cause that? Is locked up siezed?
 
Roger Williams said:
Thanks for the note. Will see if my big butt can get down there to pull a plug. As a note it was cranking this season but never got it running thus haven't used it otherwise has been fine in the past. The locked up is just new. What would cause that? Is locked up siezed?
Click to expand...
If you crank too long without it starting, they say it can flood water back into the cylinders.
 
Agree pull the plugs and try again. See if you get water out of the cylinders

My next spot would be the starter, by sound. The bendix isn’t engaging.

Im sorry it looks as if yours will be a total Pain in the Butt to get to.
 
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dwna1a said:
Agree pull the plugs and try again. See if you get water out of the cylinders

My next spot would be the starter, by sound. The bendix isn’t engaging.

Im sorry it looks as if yours will be a total Pain in the Butt to get to.
Click to expand...

I've heard that sound before.....likely not the bendix..... Pulling the plugs should provide some clarity. My guess is water found its way back into a cylinder or cylinders and has sat for a while.

Hopefully I'm wrong. If I'm right then there is a choice to be made: You either pull it out after you pull the engine that is in the way or you roll the dice and shoot a bunch of wd40 into the combustion chambers and hope for the best.

Roger are you in salt or fresh water?
 
It kinda sounded like mine when the bendix spring failed. I’m really leaning hard it’s water / hydrolocked
 
PlayDate said:
I've heard that sound before.....likely not the bendix..... Pulling the plugs should provide some clarity. My guess is water found its way back into a cylinder or cylinders and has sat for a while.

Hopefully I'm wrong. If I'm right then there is a choice to be made: You either pull it out after you pull the engine that is in the way or you roll the dice and shoot a bunch of wd40 into the combustion chambers and hope for the best.

Roger are you in salt or fresh water?
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Thank you for your input. it is in salt water. been in salt for the past two months otherwise I store on the hard. I am pulling the boat next weekend so will have it closer and hope my skinny mechanic can get in there. I didn't really try to start it very long when it wouldn't start but I guess if it had blown gaskets then any amount could introduce water into cylinders. If it has water is it a write off or can it be repaired/rebuilt?

Thanks again everyone
 
Agree, I strongly encourage you to get those plugs pulled and be sure the water isn’t there. If you do have water get it out and get some oil in the cylinders now.

No, if it is hydrolocked it does not mean the unit is shot.
 
Agree, pull the plugs if water is in there get out along with changing/flushing the oil. Then perform a compression check. These motors will run after a hydro lock event, however out of range compression is an indicator of bent valve(s) or connecting rod(s) which is repairable.

Another item to read up on is siphon breaks
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/westerbeke-need-a-siphon-
break.19741/

BTW a new unit is north of $13k. Rebuilding a 7kw BCBG ranges between $3-$6k.
 
Timeflys said:
Listening to the video….Maybe just a little late to the show but are the batteries fully charged up??
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That was our initial thought as we were on the hook but there seems to be lots of "umph" and still happens after charging up all batteries. Thank you
 
dwna1a said:
Where are you and the boat located
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Boat is in Blaine, WA and I am in Seattle, WA. My father is close is going to have a look and see if he can pull plugs and look for water in oil but I still haven't found good info on how to get to and pull the plugs. This is a 2000 340 sundancer so not a lot of room in the bildge.

Thank you again to everyone for your time and suggestions. Obviously this is going to be a journey of time and $.

Appreciate you all!
Roger
 
It’s a learning thing. Westerbeke can be a great genset but like all of them it can be a royal pita.

I will look it up tonight. I’m kinda sore and worn down, it will give me something to do

do you have a copy of your service manual? If not pm me your email. I have it here
 
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This is your generator out of the boat. Notice the spark plug wires (3) are on top and go down into the head.

You have a really tight clearance.
 
upload_2022-9-7_12-34-30.jpeg
 
PlayDate said:
View attachment 133393
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Thank you PlayDate. This is really helpful. I have read that with the right extensions, and contortions it is possible ;)

Another huge thank you to everyone that has offered their time and expertise on this problem. I am hoping that I can repay you with updates of my success. Any which way I am open to suggestions or insights and will continue to update on my progress. The boat is two hours away but may try to get there ASAP.
 
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Roger,

For what it is worth.....you may want to have your marina or a local marine mechanic at least check it out. Waiting isn't a good option and the result is somewhat binary. Either it starts and runs or it is has a more serious internal problem.

I'm hopeful if they can get the plugs out and rotate the engine it will show water got in to one of more of the cylinders. Putting some WD-40 into each cylinder and a fresh set of plugs probably will get it going.

In terms of long term damage......that is a guess. I would at least do a compression test to see if there is a compression problem and to have a baseline for the future.

It would also be a good thing to change the oil once you have it running.
 
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