www.iFourWinns.com

Had a problem with my Kohler 5E Genset over the weekend. Unit would start fine and run 1 -2 minutes before bogging down, sputtering, backfiring and finally dying. I could immediately restart and it would do the same. Did not matter if it was under load, did the same. Fuel level was 7/8 full, cooling strainer was clean, water flow was good. When running properly, system read 120 volts, when it started sputtering - around 90-100 volts (not enough RPM I think).

Used it last year no issues.

Any thoughts?

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Jnizi

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

Fuel Filter.......Even if you think it is good, try a new one. If that doesn't work,

try a small portable gas tank

with fresh gas and stable in it.....

may be stuck choke/ float in carb.

fuel pump.....empty fuel filter put it back on and if it fills back up, then pump should be working.

I'm not a mach. but just some place to start.

Mark

Joe,
Is it the 5E or the ECD model? The ECD model will have a display that will show the fault code. I would try the fuel filter first, there should be two of them. One right there on the unit itself, and then trace the fuel line back from the genset towards the tank. You should have a big spin on one, I was able to cross reference the # and get a WIX filter from a local autoparts store.

Joe

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Had a similar issue with ours, mechanic traced it down to a bad fuel pump.

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

Thanks for the ideas. Will play with it this weekend.

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Jnizi

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

I'll second the fuel filter and then the pump suggestions. It's also possible there's crud in the bottom of the tank that's being intermittently sucked up against the pickup. You'd likely see something in the inlet side of the filter if that's the case. When I replace it I dump it into a bucket and bang on it a few times to see if anything dislodges from it.

Also check that the fuel hoses are in good condition or haven't gotten crimped against something. A hose that's gotten soft will sometimes slowly collapse as a pump suctions fuel through it.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Im only stating the obvious b/c no one else has, and I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, but my buddies genset on his doral would act that way when it was low on oil.

Cant hurt to check either way if you havent.

Good luck!

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2000 268 Vista
7.4 VP DP

I have the same model generator- Although 4 years older in a 2003 298. I too experienced the undesirable sputtering & backfire mode last month. I changed my fuel filter and dismantled/cleaned the air intake with carb cleaner and it ran better, but still bogged down and backfired under load. Then I noticed something in the owners manual about cleaning and regapping the plug every 3 months... So I splurged for a new $1.99 plug with a gap to Kohler specs and the generator has never run better

FWIW the gap on the old (badly fouled) plug was about double of what it should have been- Good luck!

i agree with tadpole; i also have the kohler 5e gen set and mine was doing the same thing. i was told to replace the plugs. i did and it works fine. cheap fix.