gen problem

wal1809 · October 15, 2014, 05:18:11 PM

I am a little stumped. Git the bus out the barn to do some projects. I have been using the gen as usual. Oil level good, fuel good, temp good and the radiator water full.

While working i heard the gen soumd as if it lost some power and started blowing black smoke. It would not start for 30 minutes. I thought it might have overheated.

I started it again and used a temp gun. The thermostat is working as I had 150 degrees on the top of the thetmostat and a quick range up amd down between 135 and 150. I assume it was opening and closing.

Post your thoughts please. It is a 4 cylinder kubota diesel.

digesterman · October 15, 2014, 06:03:45 PM

Quote from: wal1809 on October 15, 2014, 05:18:11 PM
While working i heard the gen soumd as if it lost some power and started blowing black smoke. It would not start for 30 minutes. I thought it might have overheated.

It is a 4 cylinder kubota diesel.

Sounds like maybe one of your injectors is giving you problems. When running can you loosen the injector tubes one at a time to see if there is a difference how the engine is running? That might narrow the problem to either one of the injectors or to a particular cylinder. Then more troubleshooting can start.

I have several Kubotas on generators and for the most part have had no problems with them. Generators,,,,yes.

wal1809 · October 15, 2014, 06:26:06 PM

Digesterman thank you. I think I found the problem. A dang gloomgged intake air filter. It was choking or air. I have run it for an hour with the filter removed amd no problem. That is a rookie mistake on my part.

akroyaleagle · October 15, 2014, 06:28:22 PM

Check on the back side or left if you're standing behind the generator and the fan is away from you.

There is a low oil pressure shut-off. Jump across the two wires and by pass the sensor.

If it's not that let us know and we can help you with some troubleshooting.

akroyaleagle · October 15, 2014, 06:29:26 PM

Appears you corrected it while I was typing.

Save the other tip for when you need it.

digesterman · October 15, 2014, 06:30:28 PM

Quote from: wal1809 on October 15, 2014, 06:26:06 PM
Digesterman thank you. I think I found the problem. A dang gloomgged intake air filter. It was choking or air. I have run it for an hour with the filter removed amd no problem. That is a rookie mistake on my part.

That will do it, the first thing in troubleshooting of course is to do the obvious, FILTERS. Glad you have your problem taken care of.

wal1809 · October 15, 2014, 06:48:10 PM

I already had it in my mind i was having to rebuild the gen engine. Funny how something so small can send a fella into a panic.

muldoonman · October 16, 2014, 06:40:58 AM

How many hours on the gen set Walt? This past weekend up in Brownwood Tx. during a rainstorm, lost shore power, started 15 KW Kubota and ran for about 15 minutes and it shut down. Wouldn't restart. Luckily cold front made it nice and cool. Tried it next morning, everything perfect. Has run since then. Dang Grimlins. My set has 250 hours on it. Always something.