gas in generator oil
Spyderweb
Member Posts: 915 ✭✭✭
Changed oil in Fuel Injected 5e Kohler generator yesterday. Oil capacity is 1.44 quarts but I drained out closer to 1.75. Genny only has 115 hours on it. I've had it 2 years, putting 5 hours per year, just by running it 20 minutes each week when I'm up to boat. Oil container has tell tale gas smell. Near spark plug show wet, back plug dry. How serious is this and how fixable?
Comments
This is based on my experience with efi 26 hp kohler air cooled motors.
The carb engines could do the same from both the carb needle leaking as well as a damaged diaphragm on the mechanical fuel pump.
I have never cleaned kohler injectors. I have cleaned honda injectors, they run off of 1.5 volts. I removed each one, took them apart to clean the screen and surfaces with brake clean. I then re assembled and pressurised with 45 psi i from air compressor and energized with an AA battery pushing a tube full of brake clean through each injector until i saw a clean spray. I then reinstalled with new o rings.
Hope this helps!
Are you checking the oil level correct? You do not screw in the dipstick. Just an FYI.
PC BYC, Holland, MI
@Black_Diamond Plug had just 5 hours on it from this years use. Still looked new. I was wondering about correct method to check oil. When finished yesterday, and after running genny to distribute oil, it showed dead on full not screwed in, over full when screwed. I will need to check that closer going forward.
As for that plug: do not discount it being bad. They can look like new and not work well in that genny.
PC BYC, Holland, MI
If you start using it more, especially under a full load, you might just clean out some carbon as well. Just continue checking the oil. You may just have to get the injectors cleaned.
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Then plug it back in and unplug/zip tie the other side. It should also run.
Do this with no load. The side that doesnt run is the culprit.
I check for gas in oil with a lighter. Push dip stick in then, remove then move safely over water or a bucket of sand. Make sure you are clear of any fuel source or your engines dip stick tube. Hit the oil on dipstick with lighter flame, if it burns then you've got gas in there.
I did have my genny, years ago, running on basically one cylinder. Culprit was a tight rocker that basically caused a build up of carbon. Adjusted it, put a carbon cleaner in and she's been running perfect ever since. Think it was that way since manufactured.
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Ever seen someone spray hair spray or lighter fluid on a finger tip then light it? It doesn't hurt unless you keep it there burning, same concept only that dip stick is built to withstand engine running temps. The engine oil is about the same temp as the water temp. Imagine your finger in 190 to 220 temps.
I do purposely run it 20 minutes a week with a load based on what I've learned on this site. But I honestly don't like the noise at anchor and feel it's disturbing to others. @Liberty44140, good idea to run while underway. That might kill 2 birds with one stone for me. Will try that next season.