Kohler 5E Routine Service Question

Liberty44140

Bought the boat in May and plan to just do routine service to my 5E this weekend. I have ran it every other week, runs fine and pumps plenty of water, just want to get service up to date. 2006 5E that has 222 hours on it. I plan to change plugs (NKG 4ES), exchanger anode, oil (SAE 30), oil filter (Sierra 23-7821) in line fuel filter and twist on fuel water separator. I assume I'll have to take off the entire sound shield and I've got a 2ish hour job. 

Question on the in line fuel/water separator. It is a Quicksilver 35-802893Q01 spin on. Do I need to fill the new filter with fresh fuel and then spin it on to prevent a large air gap? Thanks! 

Black_Diamond

The fuel pump is electric, so it will draw to fill. Be easier to prime that filter first tho. 

Liberty44140

Thanks BD. So I don't have to pre fill it with fuel but I really should?

Black_Diamond

It might make it easier to restart. Otherwise you can end up cranking a long time and that is not good for it. 

Liberty44140

Got it. Will prime. Thx. 

craigswardmtb

Throw some sea foam in the filter to give it a good cleaning. I do this the beginning of each season to keep things clean. 

Liberty44140

Noted on the sea foam. Not sure if anyone here uses Fuel Medic but I am a big believer in it on every fill up to keep the fuel systems and tank clean. 

Wildboating

Make sure you use Seafoam, expanding foam works a bit differently....lol

Michael T

Unbelievable!

Michael T

@Liberty44140...I know you know this but just running the generator isn't enough to keep it healthy. It has to be run under load. Heating water in the microwave and/or running the HVAC is good. When you run it under load you work the motor and the generator. Under electrical load the generator windings heat-up which removes corrosive moisture, particularly in salt water environments.

MarkB

Oh my lord ... that is bad.

randy56

Man you cannot fix stupid. Next time you see him let him know I have a real nice bridge for sale.

Liberty44140

Thanks MT, I do make sure to run on a load but I had thought that really that was just he ac. Good to know that some other items will suffice. I had to buy a new stator and rotor for the 5E in my past boat due to water leaking on to it from a poorly draining locker and don't want to do that again. That genny did not have a sound shield likens have now. 

Michael T

@Liberty44140...as you know, I am sure, you can tell when the generator is working as it kicks hard and you can feel it working as it digs down!

raybo3

I run my genny and I put the A/C on, both burners on the range, hot water heater. I run for about 1/2 hour then run for about 5 minutes without a load. My genny runs great with a load but sounds like its going to blow up without a load....lol

Liberty44140

Thanks guys! Working on this today. Already did plugs and anode. About to do oil. I assumed that the yellow dipstick (which shows full) was where I fill but there is a black oil cap on top just above the spark plug. Is that where I fill? Here is a pic, currently it looks empty when I look in. I have not yet run it to warm up. 

Black_Diamond

Oil fill is correct. Remember to NOT screw in the dipstick to check the oil level. 

Liberty44140

Thanks BD. I surely would have screwed in to check and under filled. I took out just under 1.5 qt so it seemed to be full before. Just had to run to Walmart to get a smaller filter wrench. Question, that black plastic cover in my pic I assume is he "valve cover. On the other side of the engine, against the wall, it looks like I am getting a very small amount of oil from the bottom of the cover. I carefully tightened the screws a half turn or so. If they continue to have this small leak is it as simple as replace the gasket? No biggie? 

Black_Diamond

The valve covers come right off. Just a gasket needed. Try www.partsfortechs.com

I think it is 1.44Qts oil w/filter. I run a straight 30W synthetic and a NAPA XP oil filter. 

rasbury

Don't forget a new water impeller and there is a coupler behind the water pump housing you for sure want to replace, easy job.

Liberty44140

BD, thanks. All went well. I ran for a while after I tightened the screws on the valve cover and it seemed to not leak but I'll monitor. Glad it's an easy gasket change, probably will just do it anywAy.
thanks Ras. 
Guys- I had a new in line filter that I bought 4 years ago for a previous Kohler 5e and the nipple fitting would not thread in to it. Are there different in line filters for the 5e? I'm taking about the filter that is just under the electrical box in the generator. Had to remove 2 screws to get to it. Would still like to change it as it is original but I ended up putting it back in for now. 

Black_Diamond

Get rid of the filter that screws into the fuel pump. Replace with a 1/8"NPT x 1/4" barbed brass fitting. Add, or just use, the in-line filter by the fuel shut off. 

Liberty44140

BD - THANKS!
Question 1- is this the right fitting to bypass the filter that screws in to the fuel pump? Looks right - https://www.amazon.com/Anderson-Metals-57001-Fitting-Connector/dp/B00F68TAV6  

Question 2 - here is the fuel filter that I have (and I just replaced the filter last Fri). Looks to be both fuel/water separator and a 25 micron fuel filter. This filter is mounted to the wall just after the generator fuel shut off valve.. Line goes from this filter, to the Inline filter attached to the fuel pump (which I now plan to remove):

Dream_Inn

Well, I'll answer no 2. That should be what you need to change and yes it is a separator and filter. Should change yearly. Also, I just learned technically you should add your oil at top where one valve has a cap on it with oil picture. For years I added it at yellow dipstick as well.

Liberty44140

Thanks Dream.