The vacuum choke diaphragm on my pre-Columbian L654 Kohler generator is bad. This is not a huge deal since all it means is that the generator is slower to start in cool weather, or I have to jiggle the choke to start it faster. However, it would be nice to fix it. I have not been able to find the diaphragm or a repair kit. Does anyone know of a source for such ancient parts?
I had the same problem with my ancient Onan and just choked it by hand until it warmed up.
Not convenient but the part is not available.
Yeah Gus, that's what I do when I need to. Just thought it would be nice to fix it. Can't understand why they don't have little parts for a merely 40 plus year old generator!
Lin, I have no idea where to get the parts but that has always been a simple fix go to a wrecking and find a vacuum cylinder off the fresh air door from a automobile find the smallest size, a rod and bracket you are in business you could probably buy one from NAPA or AutoZone
I watched a guy do that before on a Onan to do away with his electric choke also it was simple the engine not running the choke was closed running it was open from the vacuum from the engine a old dash pod off a carburetor should work
Years ago I had the Kohler using the flat head 4 cyl water cooled gasoline engine, no diaphragm assist choking, just carb ice under the right conditions, so being a fool, I changed it to LP Gas, had a 60 gal LP tank, worked great as such, my gph went from .75 to 1.1 gph, so I got real tired of that real quick, yes it was a perfectly nice easy, smooth, reliable setup, but LP refills are not cheap and the 60 gal tank gave limited range, so I built the 12 kw diesel, used a 50 gal tank.
I figured 10 gal per 24 hr run, I ran it 24/7, so the 50 gal gave me 4 full days run time.
Dave M
Okay guys have you tried www.smokstak.com (http://www.smokstak.com)
Please don't hold me responsible for your extra 3 hours a day you spend on another website. :)
There is a company on there that has NOS parts for all old engines.
Carb kits for many old small engines, broken down by make and model.
Better would be an electric, short throw solenoid connected to a switch at the driver. Some of these old engines require a lot of choking.