Westerbeke Generator Won't start

[Rag2Tag]

I have a 2008 Amberjack 290, with Westerbeke 5.0 MCG-614 WHT GAS GENSET. Had the generator put in brand new in 2014. Currently, I can't get it to start. The engine will start to crank when I press start. The engine turns over a few times and then stops, check engine light shows. I can shoot fuel into the air intake when cranking and the engine turns over and runs but dies as soon as the sprayed fuel burns off. Had one mechanic come out and change the "cam sensor". Still doing the same thing. Next suggestion by mechanic was to "change the computer". Had marina check the price on "computer" and I was told that part isn't made anymore. Not sure what to do now. Looking for suggestions.

Mark

 

[cstinehour]

I have a 2008 Amberjack 290, with Westerbeke 5.0 MCG-614 WHT GAS GENSET. Had the generator put in brand new in 2014. Currently, I can't get it to start. The engine will start to crank when I press start. The engine turns over a few times and then stops, check engine light shows. I can shoot fuel into the air intake when cranking and the engine turns over and runs but dies as soon as the sprayed fuel burns off. Had one mechanic come out and change the "cam sensor". Still doing the same thing. Next suggestion by mechanic was to "change the computer". Had marina check the price on "computer" and I was told that part isn't made anymore. Not sure what to do now. Looking for suggestions.

Mark

I had replaced the mother board, and sensors also to no avail. Check the carbon monoxide detector? After I replaced our detector the Gen ran.

 

[dwna1a]

Just throwing this out there. Have you pulled a plug and checked it for hydro lock?
Also how old is the battery is it turning slow or normal

 

[Rag2Tag]

I had replaced the mother board, and sensors also to no avail. Check the carbon monoxide detector? After I replaced our detector the Gen ran.

I’ll check it. Pretty sure my gen isn’t connected to the co detector in the cabin since the gen was new installed after the original threw a rod. Worth a check and look.

 

[Rag2Tag]

Just throwing this out there. Have you pulled a plug and checked it for hydro lock?
Also how old is the battery is it turning slow or normal

Battery is new. I’ll look at the plugs.

 

[Riptide III]

Have you tried checking the fuel pressure. There is probably a small electric pump on the generator. If it runs with you spraying fuel into it. I doubt it’s a plug issue. My 2 cents

 

[dwna1a]

Rip, I was thinking hydrolocked. Not so much a fire issue. He said it turns over a few times and stops. That’s why I’m thinking hydro. It’s acting like my 350 when it hydroed

It’s a easy test
Pull all the plugs and turn it over. See if you get anything out of the cylinders.

 

[km1125]

Rip, I was thinking hydrolocked. Not so much a fire issue. He said it turns over a few times and stops. That’s why I’m thinking hydro. It’s acting like my 350 when it hydroed

It’s a easy test
Pull all the plugs and turn it over. See if you get anything out of the cylinders.

This is where it would be helpful if folks used the same terminology for things. To some people, "turning over" is just the spinning of the crankshaft via the starter. To others, it means it's actually firing cylinders and trying to start.

Not sure which the OP is exactly describing.

 

[Riptide III]

I was under the impression it would run as long as you manually introduced fuel. Sorry for the miss understanding

 

[PlayDate]

Let's start with the simple stuff. It starts and runs when starting fluid or carb cleaner is sprayed into the intake and we have a Check Engine light.

The Check Engine light is most likely a red herring. It is an Emissions related warning which will not stop the generator from starting and running.

So.....you have 3 six second attempts to start the generator before it goes into lockdown. I hate that but that's what happens when you switch to fuel injection.

For some reason your fuel system is not either pressurizing the injectors or the injectors are not firing. The lack of fuel is the issue. As to why.......I'm puzzled by why the mechanic changed the cam sensor. Short of it not working at all it doesn't make sense.

The first thing I would do is check fuel pressure. On page 23 of the Owner's Manual you will see a Schrader valve on the fuel pump. This is where you attach a fuel pressure gauge to check for pressure.

If for any reason the fuel system has been serviced then you need to do the following procedure or no fuel will get to the injectors.

Page 14

The initial setup of the generator requires that you or your mechanic bleed the air from the fuel system. This procedure, known as priming or bleeding the fuel system, is also required whenever the fuel filters are serviced.
1. Disconnect the fuel module from the engine wiring harness.
2. Attach your fuel pressure gauge set (Snap On #MT337B, OTC 7211) or equivalent to the Schrader valve on the fuel module. Direct the bleed hose from the pressure gauge into a proper container.
3. Open the bleed valve on the pressure gauge, press the STOP switch, and hold it depressed. This activates the low-pressure fuel pump.
4. Observe the fuel flow through the bleed hose. When no air bubbles are seen, release the STOP switch to close the bleed valve and observe the fuel pressure (typically about 3-5 psi). 5. Remove the pressure gauge from the fuel module and connect it to the Schrader valve on the fuel rail.
6. Re-connect the fuel module to the engine harness.
7. Open the bleed valve on the fuel pressure gauge. Press the STOP switch and hold it depressed. This activates both the low-pressure and high-pressure fuel pumps. Observe the fuel flow through the bleed hose and when no air bubbles are seen, close the bleed valve and observe the fuel pressure. The pressure should be in the 40-psi range.
8. Remove the pressure gauge set and replace the caps on the two Schrader valves.
9. Insure that all harness connections are secure, operate the generator and check that there are no fuel leak