Why did I ever buy this hunk of junk generator with a Cat/Perkins engine?! Nobody can find me a water pump gasket for this engine because I can't find an engine serial number anywhere on the engine. There is an engine data plate, but no serial number. If I can't find a gasket tomorrow I will probably have to cancel my trip.
Powertech has the gasket, but it will cost me around $100 to have one delivered on Saturday. The local Cat dealer said they probably have the gasket if I can find the serial number.
I would have started a lot earlier on fixing my broken belt issue had I known how big an issue it would be. What I thought would be a simple $20 belt and an hour of work has turned into dismantling basically the entire generator to replace a broken belt and bad idler pulley along with motor mounts and now a water pump gasket.
Well, as Mork used to say, "SHUZZ BUTT"
Tear that thing out of there and get Wrico to do you something to fit.
That generator is going to continue to ruin your fun, even if it works right for a decade, you won't be able to stop thinking about it, and hating it.
Sell that one, so you may return to...
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Surely a ball peen and a cereal box will make a gasket....
Add some goop.
Why does an engine have two data plates? It has a Perkins and a Cat data plate. I finally found the Cat engine data plate under a layer of dirt. I was able to call the local Cat dealer with the serial number and they have the gasket in stock at their main warehouse. They will have it to the local branch near me tomorrow as long as I can get there by 6 pm.
And yes, the gasket really is only $5 and change. Powertech wants $19 plus shipping, but I also understand Powertech has a lot higher carrying cost.
The bigger fun is going to be scraping the old gasket off without damaging anything. or getting debris into the pump or engine. I'll just have to stuff a rag in.
That kind of stuff nearly makes me explode! Good luck and I hope you are able to "get out of town" Jack
I don't see Belfert giving Powertech a 5 star rating in the near future ;D
I have made lots of gaskets out of gasket material with a ball peen hammer as noted above. They also make liquid gasket now which will work in a pinch.
But as noted above your best bet is to call Dick Wright and have him set you up with a new generator and you will be set for life at www.http://wricointernational.com/ (http://wricointernational.com/) or Engine Power Source and they can set you up as well https://enginepowersource.com/ (https://enginepowersource.com/)
Quote from: luvrbus on May 03, 2018, 07:29:02 PM
I don't see Belfert giving Powertech a 5 star rating in the near future ;D
This is only partially a Powertech issue. The belt from the crankshaft pulley to the water pump needed replacement. Jeff at Powertech said the belt should just roll on no problem. There is no way that was happening so I unbolted the water pump to get the belt on. That is when I found there is a gasket between block and pump that now needs replacement.
Powertech really should have some sort of adjustment or idler to make the belt easier to replace.
Financially I will probably just have to live with this generator. If I can get another six or so years before needing major work like this again I will be happy. If I was using the bus even once a month it would be a different story. If money was not an issue I would probably get an EPS generator with sound enclosure.
$10,000 would be better in my saving account in case of engine or transmission problems.
Spend $3000 and get the Honda EU7000 :) and be done. I love my Honda twins EU3000 is
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make sure to copy the info off the engine and generator plates and put it in generator service manual if you have one. Or a good place for retreval the next time.
Quote from: Scott & Heather on May 03, 2018, 08:45:38 PM
Spend $3000 and get the Honda EU7000 :) and be done. I love my Honda twins EU3000 is
His generator will be around for 15 to 20 thousand hr that = 4 sets of Honda's plus just 1 type fuel ,oil,and 1 engine on board lol he is frustrated it happens to him every trip but those belts are a pain to change they are on all in a housing ,change one on a Onan ???
I always have a tube of permatex anaerobic in the tool box. Gotten me out of a pinch a time or two. Detroit actually tells you to use that stuff in lieu of some of the gaskets on the older 2 strokes. Can't remember what gasket I was after on the old 8v but the parts guy pulled the part number off the computer and walked over to a shelf and handed me a tube. I asked him huh?? And he said thats what the computer said.
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Never heard that before that is a first,DD tried RTV on some engines that didn't work out too good for them
Quote from: luvrbus on May 04, 2018, 08:54:07 AM
Never heard that before that is a first,DD tried RTV on some engines that didn't work out too good for them
I do know it's only certain applications, something to do with the mating surface. Anaerobic is far better than RTV though. I would much rather have a gasket were one available, but in a pinch it could mean the difference between broke down and rolling again.
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Quote from: luvrbus on May 04, 2018, 08:54:07 AM
Never heard that before that is a first,DD tried RTV on some engines that didn't work out too good for them
rtv is for bath tubs in low bid spec houses...
anaerobic sealants are state of the art :)
even RollsRoyce approves.
i do too.
having now said that all of the anaerobic manufacturers stocks will plummet tomorrow :)
My first introduction to it was in 1979 for use on 1980 Olds Omega (Chevy Citation) for use reassembling transmission cases. Anerobic sealant sets up with lack of air, opposite of other gasket cements. Works on machined surfaces. I was skeptical when I first used it. Never had one leak. The trans used atf, so it wouldn't take much to have a leak. Clean surfaces thoroughly,(I used lacquer thinner), applied a small bead. It won't set up till after reassembled, so no rush. I going to change differential in my 4905 to 4:12 and since Luke says gasket is no longer available, I'm going to use Anerobic sealer. With silicone, you can't take your time or it skins over.
Many people have had gasket leaks in various jobs with silicone. You need to thoroughly clean surfaces and double wipe with lacquer thinner to remove any trace of grease or oil, otherwise, it'll frequently leak. I always use Permatex Ultra black where silicone is used. Started using it back in the days of Olds diesels to seal valve covers. They were a bitch to seal because of of all the crankcase pressure. Also used it on 6.2 and 6.5 diesels.
On that generator motor, is there not an adjustment on the idler or alternator to tension the V-belt.
I'm glad to hear the project is about finished and you can get rollin.
On them sealers I like the anerobic it smells like grape jelly ;D
Knock on wood I had great luck in my assemblies with permatex ultra black. But believe me I pulled plenty of pans because oil pump screens were factory full of rtv.
In my opinion Unless a water pump system had an o-ring setup mounting, I used the factory paper gasket with ( always permatex #2 brush on style) little more flex than aircraft or indian head of days past.
Have a good day there
Floyd
Quote from: brmax on May 04, 2018, 04:59:54 PM
On that generator motor, is there not an adjustment on the idler or alternator to tension the V-belt.
No.
On them sealers I like the anerobic it smells like grape jelly ;D
Knock on wood I had great luck in my assemblies with permatex ultra black. But believe me I pulled plenty of pans because oil pump screens were factory full of rtv.
Suction screens in pump lubed differentials and transmissions and hydraulic systems....closed center particularly......collect it too...with devastating results.
Cavitation being only one of them...
Floyd
Like Belfert it would a gasket for me on a water pump,as for cleaning I love my 3M pads I have those from 2 inch up to 6 inch for cleaning gasket surfaces only way to fly
The front of that motor I would be real interested to see.
For a belt installation as mentioned is seriously out of date. Idlers on diesels are so so much better than gas motors, it just seems crazy not to have several of them factory installed if needed.
I have to agree them 3m pads cost, but I do believe they really pay for themselves in short order.
Good luck with it
Floyd
Use them now and are great, although a little pricey. You need to be carefull not to use down so far as to wear away many of the attachment hooks, or pad just flies off. Early started with 2 inch and finlly moved up to the 3 inch ones. Before them, used wire wheels on air drill. Those wire wheels were 3 to 4 dollars a pop. Pricey back then. Still use them for places pads won't reach.
I picked up the gasket last night and hope to have the generator back together today barring any further issues.
I'll try to remember to take some pictures of the crazy belt setup.
I figured out the water pump may not have needed to come off. I thought the pulley was pressed on to shaft of the water pump, but it was really just on tight after removing the bolts. I probably could have removed the pulley without removing the water pump. I spent a fair bit of time with a razor blade getting the old gasket off and getting things nice and clean.
I got caught up in some other things today so I got a late start and didn't finish it. I am hoping another hour or so to get it running and another hour to put it all back together.
I gave up on replacing the rubber mounts on the generator end for now. I am either going to need a engine hoist, or a proper crow's foot to get the bolts for the rubber mounts loose.
Generator is back up and running at last. I have not put the top back on yet as I suspect I will need to add more coolant after it runs a bit and cools back down.
Quote from: belfert on May 06, 2018, 10:48:30 AMGenerator is back up and running at last. ...
Good news. I hope it keeps working well for you for a long time.
The generator ran without issue for the trip. I had to run the generator 24x7 starting last Sunday until we got home Wednesday due to an inverter problem. It was only shut down while at Costco fueling because they insisted all engines needed to be off.
The generator overheated on the way home and shut down. It turned out to be low on coolant. I am not sure it if it is leaking, or if I didn't get all the air out when I filled it after reconnecting the radiator. I haven't had time to check all the connections since I got home. I have been busy catching up on work and real life since I got home Wednesday evening.