www.iFourWinns.com

Hello Everybody,

It has been some time since I have posted or even visited. I hope all is well. Quick question: My generator is having white smoked coming out of the exhaust. I just replaced the impeller a couple of weeks ago, and everything was fine and used the generator for the weekend. But this weekend, I noticed the white smoke. I am assuming it is burning oil? Any ideas or suggestions where I should start? It is a Kohler 5.0E. Oil was supposedly changed last in July of last year.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Have you checked your coolant level? Started mine for the first time yesterday and it runs for about 30 seconds and shuts down, found very low coolant in the reservoir. When mine was running, it appeared to be smoky but I am thinking it was just the exhaust water was hotter than normal. Just an idea.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

SeaFoam or the like?

ETA - I just saw in your opening post where you ran the gen already once this season so that does away with my theory.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

I always thought that white smoke was an indication that coolant was being burned, meaning a gasket failed. I would think burning oil would be dark smoke.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

My understanding is that blue smoke is oil burning. It just sounded different as well. I'm going back out there today to see if I can diagnose better. Something always happens before a holiday.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

I changed my spark plugs, and seemed to fix the problem!

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

From what I have read on the web, you should change the spark plugs first on a Kohler before assuming anything else....

I just changed mine - they had 10 hours on them. Fouled like a mother trucker. Put new NGK's in and I cannot believe how fast it starts now and how smooth it runs!!

I will be keeping two spare plugs on board from now on.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Yeah, I put new NGK's in as well.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select