8kw kabota generator

[moose]

My generator is hard starting
when i start my generator,i push the button to heat  ,it starts hard when starting ,or it is easier to go out and give her some ether
stats right now
how do i know if the heat or glow plus are working
trevor

[Gary '79 5C]

Trevor,
Have not done this on the Kubota genset as of yet, but I have worked on my Mercedes diesels and their glow plugs.

On my MB the individual gp's have a resistance of about 6-7 ohms. Without pulling the gp's, you can measure each to determine if they are shorted, or more often the will go to 2,000 ohms, neither is good.

Best manner to check them is to pull them and use jumpers to watch them glow, be careful as they will get to 1,600* F, which is nearly cherry red. (If comparable to the MB's)
Another problem, is when the base of the gp carbons up and bridges over, this will then short the plug. When pulling the glow plugs on the Mercedes I run a reamer thru, load the flutes with grease, and let the flutes catch the carbon deposits.

Hope this helps.

Gary

[bigjohnkub]

DO NOT USE ETHER. IT WILL DESTROY YOUR ENGINE. I am hollering. If you use ether, it will break the rings and glands on your pistons. Now that I have vented, we will get back to you question. To check your glow plugs, hook a test light to ground, and touch the pointed end to the glow  plug top. If the light comes on ,you are getting current to the glow plugs, If you have current there, simply remove wiring on glow plugs and un screw the plug. No water, oil or anything else will come out.  With the glow plugs out, you can test on bench with a battery and a length on wire. Use insulated wire. Hook wire to positive post on battery and ground body of glow plug to negative post. In ten seconds the end will glow red. It is very hot and will make Marks on your skin, similar to some on me. Just be careful, they get hot. post what you find,and i"ll reply.

[JackConrad]

Connect a voltmeter to one of the glowplugs and have someone hold the switch in the preheat position. You may have a bad relay, switch or wire that is not energizing the glowplugs.  If you are getting power to ther glowplugs, see post from Gary '79 5C.  Jack

[luvrbus]

Check your glow plug relay I don't know where yours is located but mine is inside the outside starter box,then take a ohms meter and check at each glow plug a high reading will tell if you which one is bad if any.
I doubt that you have power to the plugs since using starting fluid and you still have a engine in one piece


good luck

[JackConrad]

Trevor,
    It may seem like everyone is really jumping all over you for using ether.  No one is trying to be a smarta$$ or belittle you. We just don't want to see you damage your generator.  Jack

[Gary '79 5C]

Jack & Luvrbus,

Even one better to lookie see if there is power 12+ to the GP's.... And the relay is often the prob.
I just replaced (6) GP's on one MB and (1) out of five on the other MB diesel. That is why & where my mind went initially.

BTW, Also using WD-40 as a "starter fluid" works for me. ( "Flame Suit On" )

Good Catch,

Gary

[TomC]

You NEVER should use ether on a pre-combustion chambered engine-like the Kubota, Yanmar, Isuzu, etc.  If the engine specifications say indirect fuel injection, if the engine necessitates the use of glow plugs to start, then you have a pre-combustion chambered engine.  Reason-the compression ratio of pre-combustion chambered engines is usually around 19-23:1.  Ether can seriously damage these engines in very short order.
    On the other hand, if you have direct injection engine, Kubota, Yanmar, Isuzu have them now, the compression ratio is lower without the pre-combustion chamber and so long as they don't have an intake heater, ether is usually OK.  There will be a sticker on the air cleaner or intake manifold telling of restictions.  Good Luck, TomC