Westerbeke Diesel Gen Set

[Dennis]

I have a 2001 410 with Diesel 3126's and a Westerbeke 7.6 Diesel Generator. I have had the boat for 3 years and have had an intermitten problem with the gen set the entire time. It runs the majority of the time for about 4 or 5 hours starts coughing like it lacks fuel and then dies. The majority of the time it will start right back up although the last couple of times it was more difficult to get running again. It dies under different circumstances after cruising for an extended period and then backing off the throttles and it has died numerous times just while being anchored out. I originally thought it was getting hot but have since replaced the impeller without any impact. I run Cat 10 X 40 oil in it. I am getting ready to replace the High exhaust temp switch, High water temp switch and Low oil pressure switch but thought I would check and see if anyone else had a similar experience or other ideas.
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[osd9]

Any difference if you continue to hold in the preheat button? That would help to eliminate/suspect an oil/temp/water sensor.

 

[fwebster]

This sounds like either a fuel flow problem or a wwater flow sensor problem. Have you change both the Racor and the engine mounted fuel filters? MY generator has an exhaust water flow sensor that when the water stream is weak, it will shut down the generator...I have an 8-BTD which is a different generator than yours, so this may not be applicable to you.

Other things to check are 1.) the wire leading to the fuel pump. They tend to get abraided near the pump and will short which stops fuel flow. 2.)The fuel flow or run solenoid can get corroded or even fail. Try to see the generator the next time it falters and look to see if that arm is moving. Fuel stops flowing when that arm moves and in the crank or run switch positions it should be open.

Also, you need to verify what oil is required in the 7.6 Genset........I think Westerbeke requires SAE 30 and not a multi-viscosity oil.

Good luck with it........

 

[Dennis]

Thanks for the responses. I also believe its a fuel problem, I will check the wiring as suggested. I also will follow up on the oil. If I'm not mistaken I thought Cat originally suggested SAE 30 for the engines as well and now they are recommending 10 X 40 but I will follow up with Westerbeke.
Also forgot to mention the boat is in Missouri at the Lake of the Ozarks. You can tell its going to be a long winter when I'm thinking about the boat in December.

With respect to the Preheat switch I have used it every time I attempt to start the generator whether or not its cold or just died after five hours of use.

Thanks again,
Dennis

 

[osd9]

.....With respect to the Preheat switch I have used it every time I attempt to start the generator whether or not its cold or just died after five hours of use.....

It's labeled pre-heat, but it's really a 'bypass' switch. It bypasses the low oil, high temp and low water flow sensors (I think those are the sensor) during start up so the genie has time get the oil up, water flowing etc. As long as you depress the button, the sensors are out of the circuit and the genie should keep running.

What I was suggesting is, if you were to stay down below and listen for the genie to act up, and then immediately depress the button to see if the genie smooths out/doesn't stall. Then you could see if it were one of the sensors, or maybe even one of the concerns like you really do have low oil pressure, high temp, etc.

.....If I'm not mistaken I thought Cat originally suggested SAE 30 for the engines as well and now they are recommending 10 X 40 but I will follow up with Westerbeke....

Just the opposite.. Originally CAT specified multigrade for the 3126 motors. They later came out with a bulletin requiring straight 30 or straight 40 weight. They have their own Special Application oil, but many hear, myself included, use Rotella T30. FWIW, I use the same 30 weight in my genie.....same motors and genie as you. Frank W can give you the whole story on the oil....and the motors for that matter....listen to him....he'll set you straight!

 

[fwebster]

ON the oil for 3116/3126 engines, the original OEM recommendation was for a multi-viscosity oil like Cat CEO 15W40, Rotella T 15W40, Delo 400 15W40, etc. Then Caterpillar determined that the viscosity enhancers.......the additives the refiner puts in the oil to make it change viscosity with temperature.....left deposits in and clogged the aftercoolers. Cat then changed the lube oil requirement on these 2 engine only to Caterpillar SAEO - Special Application Engine Oil, part # 170-5261, which is a single viscosity synthetic, and pretty expensive. Many owners have opted to use Rotella T or Delo 400 SAE 30 or SAE 40, depending upon ambient temperatures in their location, since the single viscosity Rotella T/Delo 400 specifications are almost exactly like those of the Cat SAEO. As far as I know, this remains the current oil recommendation for the 2113/3126 engine, but you can look it up on Caterpillar's website under fluid recommendations. Be prepared to wade thru a bunch of data to get to it since Cat's website is one of the most comprehensive out there and covers all types of equipment and engines.

 

[SEYachts]

:huh: I have a 8.0 on my boat last year it ran fine showing AC voltage on the meter at the panel this year when I woke her up after a long winter it started and ran fine but I wasn't getting a voltage reading on my AC meter on the panel what gives?

 

[fwebster]

Go to the engine room and look for the switch box on the front of the generator...........there is a breaker on it. Flip it to the up position.

And please excuse t he obvious, but are you sure you had the slector switchs on the main panel on generator rather than shore power?

 

[osd9]

+1 what FW said......grin

 

[Gimme Time]

Frank,

I've got the 3126TA 420HP engines and the Carter Cat people say I'm supposed to be running the multi-viscosity oil. They claim my engines have all the updates done and I'm still concerned about which oil I'm supposed to be running.

I've pent some time on the Cat web site and must admit I'm having trouble finding the oil specifications on the site. If you know where I can find the info specifics I'd really appreciate it as I always wonder if the Carter people I'm talking with are current with the specific needs or not for my engines.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fwebster]

Caterpillar's website isn't the friendliest one out there simply because there is too much on it.

The problem with multiviscosity oils is that Cat has found that the viscosity enhancers in the oil will break down and adhere to the inside of the aftercoolers and restrict air flow. They don't even recommend using their own oil....DEO. Cat has developed a synthetic oil for just the 3116 and 3126 because these are the only 2 engine types to have the problem. The Cat synthetic is covered in their publication # PEHP9516. Almost no Cat dealer stocks it because of the cost.

As an alternative Cat recommends a single viscosity SAE 30 or 40 depending upon your ambient temperatures. Look at page 16 and 17 in Cat Publication # SEBU6251-12,"Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Fluid Recommendations".

Go to www.cat.com and search for the pub. #'s........search box is in the upper right corner.