Kohler 5E Generator only runs about 5 minutes

[lharker]

I have a 2001 Kohler 5E generator that I am having problems with. It starts fine, but then quits after about 5 minutes. I have replaced the Sea Water impeller and checked the oil. All appears to be fine. When the generator stops it appears to be building presure in the fresh water cooling system and dumps part of the coolant into the bilge. The next step I was going to try was to replace the thermostat. According to the stick drawing in the service manual (poor diagram) the thermostat should be in the Inlet side of the heat exchanger. I have removed the heat exchanger, but can not find the thermostat. Can someone explain to me where the thermostat is located?

Also, if you have any other troubling shooting idea that I can try that would be great.

 

[mambodave]

Whats the code? Mine did that and it was LOC (Loss of coolant)

If thats the case, could be several things. Impeller (yes, you could need another one, mine eats those things) or the pump.

If its dumping coolant, Maybe try a new rad cap.... if its the cap is old or defective, it can cause that.

Also, if its missing the termastat I would think it wouldnt shut down, but who knows with these things. Great when they work, but most of the time a pain in the ass./

 

[lharker]

Where do you get the code from?

I just order a new fresh water impeller and will be putting it in this weekend. Is there a way to check and see if the pump is working?

I have replaced the rad cap, but no change.

 

[mambodave]

on mine (Kohler 5kw), there is a red LCD display just above the start button on the unit that gives me fault codes and the total run time of the unit.

 

[ultratiger89]

did you check the oil level? if it's low on oil it will shutdown on low oil pressure. I pulled my heat exchanger and the T-stat was on the service end side. I would think if it was to hot that upon restart it would shutdown in 10 seconds.

 

[Good Grief]

I have a friend this was happening to over the weekend. After looking for clogs in all the hoses, he pulled the cooler off and it was totally clogged, he pulled the tube bundle out, cleaned it, and that took care of it.

 

[lharker]

I purchased a new fresh water impeller for the gen set. Can someone explain to me where the fresh water pump is? The manuals do no show where the pump is location.

 

[Nehalennia]

Are you positive the oil level is good. That issue kept shuttinig down my unlce's 12KW Onan and until we saw the low oil amber light flicker did it dawn on us. Add oil and voila.

 

[lharker]

Yes, the oil level is good. In fact I changed the oil and check levels just to make sure.

 

[trit21]

Wondering if you ever figured out what the problem was?

 

[Kreole Kid]

I purchased a new fresh water impeller for the gen set. Can someone explain to me where the fresh water pump is? The manuals do no show where the pump is location.

Follow the hose from the seacock and it should point you to where the impeller is located.

 

[skolbe]

Look on the side of the generator, on the side you should see the hose going in and out, sounds like you have a clog and/or bad impeller. The water pump has 4 bolts holding it on. This is a 5 minute job if no clog.

 

[firecadet613]

Also check the intake side of the impeller housing. I had a bad impeller and flushed the heat exchanger to no avail. I removed the housing and sure enough on the intake side it was full of broken impeller vanes.