Don't let this happen to you - generator air filters!

[plyonsMC9]

Hi folks,

Well, it's been a while since I last humiliated myself on the forum.  So, I suppose it's about time.  I'm extremely disciplined about bus engine/chassis maintenance.  1x per year the girl goes to MCI for a full checkup, oil change, etc..  and I fix and improve her at each visit.  However, 500 hrs on the generator, oil changed a couple of times.  BUT - I hadn't changed the air filter.  

So, there we were at a church jamboree, using the generator to power a number of food devices : snow cone makers, hot dog heaters, popcorn makers, etc..  and I looked over at the generator exhuast.  Black smoke coming out.  Then the generator stopped "generating" electricity.  More black smoke.   Never seen that before.  Opened up the generator compartment to find the air intake rubber hose had collapsed.   /sigh...

Opened up the air filter cannister,  lots of hissing.  The generator again stopped generating electricity.  But once it set for a few minutes - all ran fine.  

Change your filters! Even in the generator.   Probably most everyone is already doing this - but just in case.  Don't let this happen to you.  I know I won't again.  

Below is a picture of the air filter I took out - alongside a new / replacement filter.

Kind Regards, Phil

[luvrbus]

Where in the world is that air cleaner mounted that is one nasty air cleaner for 500 hrs looks to me to be sucking exhaust gases in along with air ?

good luck

[plyonsMC9]

Exhaust on the generator is remoted away from the generator.  A few feet away & out the side of the bus.   Inside the generator compartment is very clean.  When it is running I haven't noticed any sign of diesel exhaust.  I believe the air intake for the generator is underneath the bus and forward from where the exhaust pipe exits.  I can double check though.  Glad you mentioned that it was dirty for 500 hours as I really have nothing to go by from past experience.  Much appreciated!

Best Regards, Phil

[Hi yo silver]

Well Phil,
You ain't the only one. I neglected the air filter on my generator. But last winter, I took it to a NAPA store for a match, changed it and it's nice and clean. You are not the only one to have neglected this little chore. I just don't want you to feel bad about that. ...(fine print here)...besides, if I don't confess, Bob Glines will rat me out! Ha! Ha! He took it off, handed it to me, narrowed his eyes, and I slunk...(slunk?) off to find a replacement.
Dennis 

[luvrbus]

I made a point to change my air filter every 4th (800 hrs) oil change and it really didn't need it then

good luck

[plyonsMC9]

Agreed Dennis - it was pretty humiliating.  Mechanic kind of stared at me as well - with the 'what were you thinking' kind of look.

luvrbus - I sure wish I knew why my filter ended up as what looks like a tarball (well, not quite that bad) and yours stay clean for 400+ hrs.   Maybe the 400+ hrs are worse.      Seriously, I'll do some searching around that area just in case.

Thanks again - Phil

[Geoff]

I have a problem with exhaust getting sucked into the generator air filter, and I have to change my filter every 100 hours or sooner, the little red indicator on the filter gauge tells me when.  Beware-- my generator quit putting out it's full rated power and it took me a lot of testing to figure out my injectors were carboned up at 700 hours and causing a power loss.  That black smoke can foul-out your injectors and put air in the fuel system.  It cost me $150 (parts only) for new injector tips on my 3 cylinder Isuzu, now I have full power again.

[plyonsMC9]

Thanks for the excellent tip Geoff.  Much appreciated.  Something else to check.

Kind Regards, Phil

[belfert]

I should check my generator air filter as I change the oil regularly but I forget to check the air filter.  I operate my generator most often in dusty conditions so it is probably time.  Thanks for the reminder!

[Barn Owl]

You can not say you didn't get your moneys worth out of that one. LOL