Kohler 5e Not Pumping Water - Not Impeller/Coupler

aves137

I have been working on my parents 342 for them to repair some issues before they sell the boat. The gen set has around 50 hours on it (2003 model year boat). When we run the gen set though, water is only sporadically spitting out of the exhaust port on the side of the boat. This is a salt water boat if that matters. My understanding is it should be flowing freely from that port if everything is running properly. I have read everything I can find online about these gen sets, but have yet to find any information on what to check for next. Here is what I have done so far to diagnose this issue:

1. Replaced the impeller and the coupler on the water pump.
2. Replaced the anode and checked the passage for any remaining chunks or pieces of it.
3. Pulled the hose from the inlet side of the water pump, pulled the raw water strainer (clear plastic canister just past the raw water inlet pick up) and back flushed the hose to make sure water was flowing freely - it was.
4. Cracked open the raw water strainer to make sure fresh water was coming in when the gen set was running - it was.
5. Pulled the water pump housing cover and bumped the starter a few times to make sure the impeller was spinning - it was.
6. Replaced the anti-diesel valve.
7. Inspected the inlet and outlet sides of the water pump housing and neither seemed corroded or like there were any restrictions.

At this point whatever the issue is, it seems to be related to something in the system between the water pump housing and the exhaust. Any thoughts on what I should be looking at next here?

Handymans342

How many hours? The pump body may be worn out causing the pump to lose its capacity

aves137

Handymans342 said:

How many hours? The pump body may be worn out causing the pump to lose its capacity

Around 50 hours total. I don't recall specifically, but it was less than 55 hours (and 52.7 seems to stick out in my mind).

rasbury

Just to be clear, define better how the water is coming out. Are you looking for a constant stream of water as it does no do that....

aves137

rasbury said:

Just to be clear, define better how the water is coming out. Are you looking for a constant stream of water as it does no do that....

Yes, looking for a more constant stream/flow of water coming out. What I have right now is minimal and the gen set is just spitting small splashes of water out (along the lines of what you would expect if you filled an exhaust pipe on a car with sitting water and then started it up), which I do not believe is correct. I am going to pull the water pump housing off entirely today to inspect it and see if maybe there is a water flow issue through it. Otherwise I am pretty stumped on this one.

aves137

Update - After pulling the water pump housing, I noticed a slight deformity on the flat surface where the impeller blades make contact. Upon closer inspection it appears to have cracked and forced a small section of the housing out into the rotational flow of the impeller blades which it appears resulted in one of the impeller blades breaking off. I took it up to our local Kohler generator specialist shop and the tech confirmed something happened in/with the housing that resulted in this damage. I picked up a new water pump with the updated housing since they don't sell just the housing and will get it swapped on later today. Hopefully that resolves the issue!

Handymans342

I was right again

jme097

Lmao Handy you love tooting your horn!

raybo3

Handymans342 said:

I was right again

Wow you get all the easy ones. One hard one and you dont even post. So go easy big guy......LOL

Handymans342

Really Ray, Really?

Dream_Inn

Good job Handy!

raybo3

Handymans342 said:

Really Ray, Really?

Yeah really I am on to your act.......LMFAO

Handymans342

Well its just because I don't have any problems and after reading all the gasser problems on here, I just know the answers

raybo3

No no its because you pick and choose and guess whats wrong. Look even a broken clock is right twice a day.......LOL 

Handymans342

I know all the answers. I just let everyone else go first.  RLMAO!

raybo3

The answerman342..............

rasbury

Geesh....I thought the impeller was replaced at the start of this, it was bad? Handy, I don't know about you bro...

aves137

rasbury said:

Geesh....I thought the impeller was replaced at the start of this, it was bad? Handy, I don't know about you bro...

Impeller was replaced with a new one at the start of this. The deformation in the water pump housing caused the new one to be destroyed as well. Per the Kohler tech, the housing has been redesigned utilizing a different material as this was happening on more than a few housings on 5e gen sets.

Handymans342

Good job

zaverin1

Handy picked his user name cause he gives out handys at the marina for every time someone compliments his dicksiels

Black_Diamond

Just so you know, you will not get a steady stream of water flowing out the exhaust. It will be more in surges. 

Handymans342

They are a closely guarded secret Zave

aves137

Update 2: Replaced the pump and the housing and still not getting any water pumped out.

aves137

Black_Diamond said:

Just so you know, you will not get a steady stream of water flowing out the exhaust. It will be more in surges. 

The surges of water should be flowing a good bit of water though, right? Right now we're not getting anything but a few sputtering drops. 

Liberty44140

This boat is in the water, right?

aves137

Update 3: Turns out the housing was on backwards. No arrows or anything on it showing direction, but she's surging/pumping water like she should. I inspected the impeller as well in case being in backwards did any damage to it and I saw none. Greatly appreciate all of the help (and entertaining wicked sweet HJ jokes) from you folks here!

Dream_Inn

Glad to hear all is well now!

rasbury

whew!