Going to have to cancel my trip over a $5 gasket for my generator

belfert · May 03, 2018, 06:18:49 PM

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.

buswarrior · May 03, 2018, 06:56:52 PM

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

eagle19952 · May 03, 2018, 07:07:23 PM

Surely a ball peen and a cereal box will make a gasket....

Add some goop.

belfert · May 03, 2018, 07:16:04 PM

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.

oltrunt · May 03, 2018, 07:23:22 PM

That kind of stuff nearly makes me explode! Good luck and I hope you are able to "get out of town" Jack

luvrbus · May 03, 2018, 07:29:02 PM

I don't see Belfert giving Powertech a 5 star rating in the near future

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · May 03, 2018, 07:30:05 PM

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/ or Engine Power Source and they can set you up as well https://enginepowersource.com/

belfert · May 03, 2018, 08:10:45 PM

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

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.

belfert · May 03, 2018, 08:14:04 PM

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.

Scott & Heather · May 03, 2018, 08:45:38 PM

Spend $3000 and get the Honda EU7000

and be done. I love my Honda twins EU3000 is

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chessie4905 · May 04, 2018, 05:04:41 AM

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.

luvrbus · May 04, 2018, 06:47:43 AM

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

thomasinnv · May 04, 2018, 08:16:31 AM

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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luvrbus · 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

thomasinnv · May 04, 2018, 12:29:32 PM

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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