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Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9796		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  jsimon [ Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:49 am ]
Post subject:  Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
As I have mentioned on another thread, my generator has had a nagging no start problem all season. The thing will start one day perfect, and not start the next. I go to take it in and it starts every time.

I had my wife stop everyday for a week after work and start it, no problems, go to use it on Saturday, it wont start. Finally Monday morning I tried starting it, and it wouldn't start. I took it downriver 2 miles or so to the service shop, and the problem was the high pressure fuel pump. The changed that and it seems to be working. I wont have full faith in it for a couple weeks of no issues.

Just thought Id put it out here in case anyone else experiences an issue like this.
Author:  firecadet613 [ Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
How expensive was that fuel pump to replace?
Author:  Cap'n Morgan [ Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
firecadet613 wrote:
How expensive was that fuel pump to replace?


Should be around $100 just for the pump
http://www.partsfortechs.com/asapcart/2 ... p-777.html
Author:  jsimon [ Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
Actually I think Im still under warranty. It has a 5 year warranty on it. I had them overnight it, becuase we have a trip planned this weekend and I didnt want any part delays. So I know I will owe somthing but I dont have that yet, they are working with Kohler.
Author:  tmiller [ Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
The only issue I have had with the Kohler generator is the fuel pickup in the starboard tank is WAY too short. Once my tank is half empty (half full for the optimist) the genny pulls air and shuts down and will not restart. To verify this is the problem I pulled the fuel filter to find it not full. I then put a hose from the fuel filter fitting to a gallon of fuel in a portable tank and cranked it a few times and she fired right up. According to the parts catalog I believe they cut the fuel pickup to 11". I do understand the reason for the shorter pickup for the genny but that much shorter is a bit much, especially when you can supply fuel from the port tank to the starboard engine if starboard tank goes dry. Not sure if this is common on other models or years but it is definitely the problem with mine. Replacing the fuel pickup is on the to-do list for the fall.
Author:  298VISTA2000 [ Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
tmiller wrote:
Once my tank is half empty (half full for the optimist) the genny pulls air and shuts down and will not restart.


I had the same issue with my 5E Kohler when the gas tank would get low. My tech changed out the fuel pump, fuel lines and then realized the problem was the check valve (aka anti-siphon valve) was too tight and wouldn't allow proper fuel flow to the gen.
Author:  zinnj [ Thu Jul 12, 2012 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
Had similar issue last year, turned out to be a bad set of brushes. No problems since replacement. Kohler did it under warranty.
Author:  jsimon [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
Well I knew I spoke to soon. Went to leave on our trip Friday and 3 days after the fuel pump was replaced, it wouldn't start. Grrrr.

Tried it Saturday morning and it still wouldn't start. Sunday when we were leavin for home I tried it and the dang thing started right up. Ran it for about 6 hours. This morning tried it and again it wouldn't start.

The marina is "looking into it". Man this is frustrating. I hope to have this soon!

298VISTA2000 wrote:
tmiller wrote:
Once my tank is half empty (half full for the optimist) the genny pulls air and shuts down and will not restart.


I had the same issue with my 5E Kohler when the gas tank would get low. My tech changed out the fuel pump, fuel lines and then realized the problem was the check valve (aka anti-siphon valve) was too tight and wouldn't allow proper fuel flow to the gen.


If I am understanding this right if your tank is full you didn't have a problem, but when you were low it did? Was it consistently doin it when it was low?
Author:  jsimon [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
jsimon wrote:
Well I knew I spoke to soon. Went to leave on our trip Friday and 3 days after the fuel pump was replaced, it wouldn't start. Grrrr.

Tried it Saturday morning and it still wouldn't start. Sunday when we were leavin for home I tried it and the dang thing started right up. Ran it for about 6 hours. This morning tried it and again it wouldn't start.

The marina is "looking into it". Man this is frustrating. I hope to have this resolved soon!

298VISTA2000 wrote:
tmiller wrote:
Once my tank is half empty (half full for the optimist) the genny pulls air and shuts down and will not restart.


I had the same issue with my 5E Kohler when the gas tank would get low. My tech changed out the fuel pump, fuel lines and then realized the problem was the check valve (aka anti-siphon valve) was too tight and wouldn't allow proper fuel flow to the gen.


If I am understanding this right if your tank is full you didn't have a problem, but when you were low it did? Was it consistently doin it when it was low?
Author:  tmiller [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
Yes, it consistently will shutdown at approximately a 1/2 tank. However, with the above information, I plan on checking out the anti-siphon valve as well. But if I do nothing but fill the fuel tank, I can crank the genny and as soon as it gets fuel (10-15 seconds) she fires right up and does not shut off again until the tank is at half again.
However, I have heard of issues with a bad/improper ground causing symptoms that you speak of. Have you checked all the grounds in the control board area? Corrosion on anything?

Good Luck and let us know what you find.
Author:  298VISTA2000 [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
jsimon wrote:
Quote:
If I am understanding this right if your tank is full you didn't have a problem, but when you were low it did? Was it consistently doin it when it was low?


Given my tanks are always low, yes. :lol: I rarely fill my tanks up over 1/2 due to cost and performance and since I only use non-ethanol gas, there are no condensation issues especially down here in the South. However, I did fill them up one time to see if that was the issue and it was. My tech immediately knew it was the anti-siphon valve then.
Author:  zinnj [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
The genset shutdown at 1/2 full is by design; I had my dealer replace the suction line with one that would reach to the bottom of the tank which solved the problem. Cost was $250 with parts and labor.
Author:  firecadet613 [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
Do you have a part number for the new part?
Author:  eric3 [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
So the generator won't run at all of the gas tanks are less than 1/2 full?!?!? Very conservative setting.
Seems like something they should tell you about in the manual.
Author:  Cap'n Morgan [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kohler 5CED Generator not starting
firecadet613 wrote:
Do you have a part number for the new part?


Not a new part, just a longer piece of pick-up fuel line you can buy anywhere.
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