[orren]

Did you check the oil level Harry?

[Archived]

Harry, low oil or low coolant will prevent my PowerTech from running . Any chance your fuel tank level is below the gen cutoff level?

[John]

Hi guys,

My fuel level is over 1/4 tank and I did not check the oil level or coolant level. I planned to but something came up and I had to button up and leave. In truth I kind of kicked myself because I should have done that before trying a manual start. That was really pretty dumb, I’ve had my bus long enough to not be so stupid!

I know they are not leaking and had both changed out in October, but should have checked them for sure.

Thanks for your responses and I’ll check the oil and coolant Wednesday.

Harry

[DON]

Harry another thing could be air in system if it’s not trying to start. Make sure you have plenty of fuel in Prevost tank if gen set is tied in to tank. Mine will draw air about 1/4 tank on gauge. Have had mine do this a couple times over the years and if a Kubota, even when it sit a while, should have a thumb wheel on injection pump to bleed air. Open wheel valve and push starting button or toogle and let air escape.. When it starts you can close bleed valve ,, might have to do it a couple times when running to get air all out..

[Harry]

Hi Glens, Mine is a Kubota as well and will take a look at what you mentioned. I’m wondering if it may be as simple as fuel. My gauge bounces around and although I know I’m nowhere near empty I may be too low for the generator. I’ll fill it Wednesday.

Harry

[Harry]

Is your gen battery good and strong? Diesel engines need a good strong battery so as to crank fast enough for compression ignition.

[Archived]

Hi Don, The gen cranks from the coach batteries right? My batteries are just over a year old and on a trickle charger. Cranking the engine is strong as does the gen. I’m glad that’s one area I have full confidence.

I’m feeling better talking with you guys and delighted that our coaches have such great fail safes! With a Bozo like me it helps believe me!

Harry

[Archived]

If it’s a spinning really good

it ain’t the battery. My genset has it’s own battery hidden on the side. Is yours sideways or on a slide out ?

[Archived]

Harry, you might check the fuel pump too. I replaced mine last year.

[Harry]

Good call as I put a electric low pressure napa pump on mine that comes on when engine starts just to get fuel to injection pump through mechanical pump on engine.

[Archived]

Mine is on a slide and I’m almost sure Jeff told me the generator starts from the coach batteries. He also told me to get lost!

Harry

[Reagan]

The Kubota engines on 2 of my generators on occasion would be hard to start. I suspect on both the engines were not getting fuel to the injectors for reasons I never could figure out. The hard starting was always associated with a long period of elapsed time since the last time the generator ran.

I learned that prior to a trip if I put power to the fuel pump using a 12V power source and listened to the fuel pump go from a rapid clicking sound (to indicate it was trying to pressurize the fuel system) to a slow labored clicking sound (indicating the system was pressurized) the generator would start quickly and run smoothly.

On occasion I would have to open the thumbwheel but most of the time all it took to get a cranky generator to start was powering the fuel pump as described above.

Obviously before even beginning to try a generator start it is important to check all fluid levels, belts, hoses, etc.

[Art]

Harry, If the gen fuel filter has been emptied because of low fuel, it may have to be removed and filled before it will start…

Pres

[Dick]

I’ve not been able to fill generator fuel filters because they sit sideways so my method of running the fuel pump insures they are full of fuel and the engine is primed.