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Kohler Generator
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Author:  pjohnscpa [ Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Kohler Generator
Have a 2008 318Vista. The Kohler generator keeps shutting off with the "LOC (loss of coolant)" fault code. However, it is spitting what looks like the normal amount of water out the starboard side. There appears to be an overflow tank on the front of the generator with some type of coolant and it appears a little low......but I am unsure to the type of coolant to add...???
Author:  cougarcruiser [ Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
Pop the radiator cap and if you see fluid, you are fine.

Once you reset the generator - I presume it starts back up? Or does it not start at all? Just cranks and cranks, but no startup?

Check your sea strainer to make sure there's no blockage.
Author:  pjohnscpa [ Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
I popped the top and there appears to be fluid in there. Yes, the generator starts, and runs for about 30 sec. to a minute, then shuts down.

I will check the strainer. Thanks.
Author:  cougarcruiser [ Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
When the water spits/streams out the exhaust is it getting super heated? or, is it 'warm'? It should be 'warm'
Author:  cougarcruiser [ Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
And how full are your fuel tanks? If you start to get low, it could be getting air bubbles in the fuel line and then, pretty soon, it won't start at all.
Author:  SW Florida Dave [ Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
The LOC fault is caused by the sea strainer under the mid cabin seating most likely being plugged. Shut off the thru-hull valve pop the top of the strainer and clean the screen and I bet you are good to go.
Author:  pjohnscpa [ Mon Jul 27, 2009 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
Thanks for the info. guys. Hopefully I will have a chance to check out the strainer on Thurs.
Author:  298VISTA2000 [ Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
Make sure you open the antifreeze unit bleed plug to let any air out when filling it up with antifreeze. I had the same overheating problem with my 5kw Kohler and the techs could never figure it out until they called Kohler themselves. Kohler told them they had to drill a bleed plug in the unit to let the air pocket out (my unit did not come with this feature) and that fixed the overheating issue. Kohler even paid for the repair cost even though it was out of warranty.
Author:  pjohnscpa [ Sat Aug 01, 2009 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
Well, added coolant to the overflow tank, checked the strainer....and now it is not spitting water.
Does this mean it's probably the impeller?
If so, is this a do it yourself job or better left to the pros...?
Author:  wkearney99 [ Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
Don't feel bad, mine ate it's impeller yesterday just as I was about to microwave some veggies for dinner. Fortunately it's a relatively easy item to replace. A panel pops off and then two bolts. It's about a half-hour job. I keep a spare on board. I seem to recall the impeller itself runs around $7, but the trick is finding one locally. I found mine by looking up the dealer from Kohler's website.

UPDATE: Good news, for me anyway, it was just the impeller. I seem to get no more than about 30 hours out of them. This one crapped out at 57 hours. The previous one died at around 35 hours. All but one vane of the impeller was chewed up. I don't wanna know where those pieces went, I hope overboard...

Literally took 22 minutes and most of that was wrangling with the access panel. It's a bit tough to remove because of how the factory routed some hoses near it. Once that's off it was just four 11mm bolts to remove the plate. A pair of needlenose pliers is handy for extracting the old impeller. Popped the new one in, reinstalled the cover plate and four bolts and then put the cover back. I did check the o-ring and it was in fine shape. THOSE seem to last, heh.
Author:  Cincy Aquaholic [ Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
$7?? What's your source. Just replaced mine and the cheapest I found the was $35+.
Author:  wkearney99 [ Sun Aug 02, 2009 1:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
Cincy Aquaholic wrote:
$7?? What's your source. Just replaced mine and the cheapest I found the was $35+.


I got mine from the Annapolis Cruisair dealer. I think that's what I paid, and that was just for the bare impeller alone, not a 'kit'. I can't recall for certain, and it might've been more. I don't think it was $35.
Author:  firecadet613 [ Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
Cincy Aquaholic wrote:
$7?? What's your source. Just replaced mine and the cheapest I found the was $35+.


Check with "Buckeye Power Sales." They've got an office in Indy, just down the road from my house. I got all of my Kohler parts from them, impeller kit was only $27. Looks like they have an office in Cincy, and they can ship also.
Author:  wkearney99 [ Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
I just ordered 2 spares. $25 each. Along with a new lower cover latch for the outboard. To replace the one I destroyed trying to remember how to get the cover off it. Amazingly only $16 for that part. I'm stunned. Boat parts are never this cheap for me.

Of course that doesn't take into account the gas cap from the dinghy tank that popped loose and rolled, rolled, rolled across the pier and BLOOP! right into the water. $12, but at least West Marine had it in the warehouse for pickup tomorrow.

UPDATE: The one from WM doesn't fit, grrrr.... Apparently I have an older model tank. Good news is the threads are the same size as the lid from a quart of Castrol Syntec. I tried several lids at a local Pep Boys. I don't need a quart of 10W-30 but for $6 it was a cheap way to get a new cap!

UPDATE: Diver was cleaning a neighbor's boat and FOUND MY CAP! Now I have a spare.

Two steps back, three steps forward!
Author:  pjohnscpa [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler Generator
Okay.....so, I go check out my genset, trying to find where the impeller is located.....the manual is pretty much zero help. So, I call Kohler..get a service tech who looks up in the service manual and apparently, it is located to the right of the main panel (which faces the starboard engine). There is absolutely zero room to get to the right side.
By all accounts everyone said this is a pretty easy do it yourself job, but with that location, I don't see how....
Has anyone ever changed their impeller on a 2006-2008 318 Vista with a 5kw Kohler?
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