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kohler 6.5 generator in 1995 carver mariner 330 won't start- any ideas?

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by crashgtr, Jul 6, 2013.

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  1. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    Hi everyone,
    Here is the backstory:
    We just bought this boat in May.
    had it surveyed the generator started up great but surged while it was on.
    We finally got down our list of things to do to try to work on the surging issue.
    We were running it yesterday. It was surging at first but settled down after a a while. We were able to run it with the AC on for a little while we got the boat cooled off from 87 down to 68. the Air conditioner compressor shut off and when the temp started to rise, the generator started surging again and we had to manually get it to settle down.

    Then a friend of ours was trying to help us trouble shoot a fridge issue was turning on some additional circuit breakers then the generator stalled and would not restart even after we waited several minutes.

    we changed the fuel filter, the fuel pump and the spark plugs and it still will not start. the oil level is fine, there is gas in the the starboard tank, the gad tank selector is set to starboard in the boat, the antifreeze level is fine too.
    We also checked to make sure there was fuel getting it- and it is. we checked for spark and there is....

    We can't figure out what the heck is wrong with it, hate to have to keep buying parts and swapping parts in and out cause we don't know.. but we don't want to have to call in Kohler and it is way too hot to be without it .

    Any help in getting to the root of the issue is greatly appreciated!

    Thanks
  2. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    A gas engine only needs a few things to run.

    Timed Spark, sufficient Compression and Fuel.

    You are obviously deficient in at least one of these things.

    Have you ever considered the carb might need a clean?

    Has it got an air leak between carb base and inlet valves?

    Does it have points and a distributor ? If so are all the parts in good condition especially any type of vacuum advance that it might have.
  3. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    The surging sounds like a fuel issue or a vacuum leak, but it could be a lot of things or parts of a lot of things (carb jets clear?). In this heat I'd call in the tech.
  4. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Ed, I hope you have an unlimited plan for all those techs you like to call

    It doesn't look like the picture changes on your bow video these days. Are you still doing it or have you "called" it a day :)
  5. dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

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    It should have a high-temp shutdown and a low oil pressure shutdown both of which will keep it from starting. You will need a volt meter to check them.
  6. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    If either of those protections were switched would it still have spark as the OP indicates in his first post?
  7. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Been on my duff for the past month due to a bike accident (crushed my foot). I hope to be allowed to walk (or at least hobble) this coming week. Then I can get back on board and do a little work to get us set to roll. However, delays caused by work needed, the floods upstate closing canals, short staffing on the Trent-Severn locks and my foot have changed our plans. Hopefully the bow view will be changing within the next two week, but the rising sun will be off our port side. :)
  8. garyohv

    garyohv New Member

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    First check if fuel is entering the engine. Remove filter (FA), open choke, and spray starter fluid while cranking. Wear glasses, gloves, have fire extingisher and wet towel nearby. I have used gas but gas can cause a small backfire (use towel). Report results. I bet it will fire up. It only has to run a few seconds to eliminate the ignition and saftey switches.
  9. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Does that model use a belt driven governor?
  10. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    The OP says in Post No 1 that the engine has spark.

    I would say this in itself is a good indication that the ignition and safety switches are in the run mode.
  11. Phillip J

    Phillip J Member

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    Kohler generators are a touchy subject with the admiral and I, mine is always acting up. I have found that there is a lot of good advice on this web site however, I have found a Kohler expert contact out on the east coast named Jim that has possess a vast amount of knowledge when it comes to kohler generators. You can find his contact info at wavetop dot com. He has helped me many times. And no, I have no affiliation with the website, Jim is just a good guy that helps out whenever I call.
  12. sam356

    sam356 Member

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  13. ksbguy

    ksbguy Member

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    Carburetor jets most likely have gunk in them. Get a rebuild kit for the carburetor and rebuild it. Clean the jets out real good with carb cleaner and compressed air. Don't waste anymore money or time until you do that... If that fixes it make sure you use a good stabilizer at every fill up. Hard start and surging was a constant problem I had on my old gas kohler. I would only add stabilizer for winter storage and finally learned my lesson after tearing the carburetor apart to clean jets several times. The new ethanol fuel causes all kinds of corrosion problems and it doesn't take much to clog up those tiny little jets.

    Good luck!
  14. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    Carb rebuild kit

    Looking at the service records makes me think the carb rebuild is what needs to be done because it was right before the time when ethanol got added to gas. When that happened it screwed up the carbs in our prior carver and we had to have them rebuilt.

    Where would be a good place to get the rebuild kit? Is that something we would buy direct from Koehler or after market? Would like to have generator up and running this weekend sometime.... We are in nj area....
  15. snelltyke11

    snelltyke11 New Member

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    I have same Genny

    I have 1993 330 Mariner: When I have had this problem it was always related to fuel. Mariners need 1/2 tank of fuel for the genny. they stop the genset at 1/4 tank. Also, run it with some load!!!! They tend to surge when it's running too light.
    Good luck
  16. ksbguy

    ksbguy Member

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    kohler may have a rebuild kit. I believe the carburetor is Mikuni. I had a kohler 7.3 and it was a Mikuni. If you know the make and model of the carburetor you can get the parts online or maybe NAPA. You may be able to take it apart and clean it with carb cleaner and compressed air without needing anything but it depends on the model of the carburetor and what happens to gaskets... Try unbolting it from the intake manifold. remove the fuel bowl and see if you can get to the jets.

    The reason it surges is because the lack of fuel supply causes the governor to rev the motor higher to keep up with the electrical load demand. It's just like when it's running, you turn your AC on and you'll hear a momentary surge except in your case the motor is never able to keep up with the load.
  17. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    Gas level good - stalled when ac compressor tried to kick in

    Thanks for the tips-
    We checked that the Gas level was good - it stalled when ac compressor tried to kick in after it kicked in by maul my adjusting the governor but adding more load made it stall never to start since then
  18. ksbguy

    ksbguy Member

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    Maybe give these guys a call, I've gotten kohler parts from them before.

    Here's a link for a kohler 6.5 carb kit but you need to know your spec number to be sure it's the right gasket kit.

    267892 Gasket Set for Kohler : A.S.A.P.
  19. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    Gen trouble shooting update

    Sprayed the carb cleaner in the carb.
    Checked the voltages
    Put more gas in the tanks- filled it up. Ouch.

    Still not starting.

    Sounds like it is running initial you take your finger off the start button
  20. ksbguy

    ksbguy Member

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    Carb cleaner won't work if jets are clogged up. It may have started because carb cleaner is combustible.

    I guess it's possible you have an electrical problem also. Check fuses at the control box and switches on engine like exhaust sensor (if you have one), oil pressure, coolant, etc. Any of those could cause the unit to not stay running if bad.

    When I had this problem I had to take the carburetor apart and it was gunk in jets...