Kohler generator - keeps cutting out

[DOK]

I tried to use the generator on my new (to me) Princess 430 the other day and after about 5 minutes it cut out. restarted it and it cut out almost immediately. Now, I'm not really very mechanically minded but it sounds like either fuel or air starvation. The problem (apart from the fact that I don't know what I'm doing /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ) is that despite having a flight bag full of instruction leaflets for just about everything, there is no information on the generator so I am struggling to know where to look for bits to fiddle with /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif . The generator is a 4Kw Kohler. I have looked on their website but apart from the spec sheet I can't find any tech material. Does anyone have any ideas - apart from taking up knitting /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[dalex]

An infernal combustion engine needs 4 things to happen for it to work.. induction, compression, ignition and exhaust, affectionately known as 'suck, squeeze, bang, blow'. 4 stroke engines fire every other rotation of the crankshaft, while two stroke engines fire once per rotation. The engine needs to be able to draw in a fuel-air mix suitable for combustion, so check there is fuel getting to the genny(in-line filters blocked?), and that it has an adequate air supply(air filter element not caked up?). The engine will then try to compress this mixture, so ensure that there is compression there. This can be done by turning over the engine by hand, and feeling for compression. The crank will be harder to rotate at some point on the way round (mind your fingers, and ensure the engine is off when you do this in case it inadvertantly starts (pluglead off, or engine stop control active). The next stage will be the ignition of the compressed mix, which requires an adequate spark, or on diesels, adequate compression or pre-heaters. Spark plugs get fouled up, or if the gap is too small, will run until the heat expands the electrode until it touches the bendable contact, shorting out the plug, and stopping the engine.
Finally, the exhaust gasses must be removed, and not sent back to the generator. Check that the genny vents to the outside world, and not straight back into the air filter.
Hope this helps, but it'd be helpful to know a bit more about the genny. Was it installed professionally, or did someone just buy a portable generator and put it in the lazarette?

 

[scej]

all sorts of reason why it stops!
presumably there is fuel to it etc

reasons for it to shut down could be: low oil pressure, no cooling water, low water levels, something covering the air intake causing the generator to over heat and overloading. plus a host of other reasons depending on what sensors are fitted to it and the management system. I would get a manwell and check it out or have a chat with the dealer

 

[Stoaty]

It's most likely the low oil level shut off. Top up the oil let it stand for 15 mins and try to start it.

 

[blueglass]

my guess is lack off cooling water. Once the genny reaches a certain temp, there will be a thermal cutout. This explains why it restarts after it has cooled down a bit, then fails again. check raw water intake for blockages, check drive belt to the pump, check impellor. Or as I have just had to do with exact same scenario - replace the entire assembly because the pump bearings have seize!

 

[Hurricane]

Has it got its own sea cock?
Ours has.
Hope it is as simple as that.
As bluegrass says - could be lack of water circulation.

 

[DOK]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I was going to be down at the boat today but it looks like I won't get down there 'til next weekend now. I think its just a case of check everything! Hopefully it is something really simple.

 

[robind]

Low oil level most lightly the cause or possibly air in fuel, check fuel line to it from tank and in particular the filter housing.