Generator hard start

[Ed Gardels]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Rick Davis wrote:
>Rick, My 3cylKobota Was hard to start for the first two years I owned it. It
would crank but not fire, until several attempts, where it would fire once, then
twice then finnally kick off and run perfect.
After replacing fuel filter and many suggestions, I took it to onan/kobota
factory authorised service center here in Fort Worth. It cost me $300,but its
started perfect every time since.
They found that the preheat wasnt getting to the plugs. The CANNON PLUG between
the contol box and the engine was the prob. They bypassed two wires around the
plug. The cannon plugs can causemany problems after corrision sets in. Only
thing is now mine started to over heat and shut down starting yesterday. will
look at it when it stops raining.
Hope this might help
Ed Gardels 89SP
Arlington Texas




> Thanks Chuck.  I don't have my bluebox with me and don't even know enough
about it to know if the Kubota/Powertech has such a priming pump.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Chuck Wheeler
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 10:58:45 AM
> Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Generator hard start
>
>  
> In our Kohler there is a TDR (Time delay relay) in the control box that gives
the oil pressure time to come up but all generators I have been around have
similar control.  An easy check would be to ground the oil pressure switch that
controls the shutdown.  If it starts and runs you have a problem in the shutdown
circuit.  I am still willing to bet on fuel problems.  You are getting air in
the fuel system somewhere and after it is cranks enough you are finally getting
the fuel system primed.  If your generator has a priming pump operate it until
you can feel back pressure and see if it starts immediately.
>
> - Chuck Wheeler-
> 1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:Wanderlodge Forum@yahoogroup
s.com] On Behalf Of Rick Davis
> Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 10:23 AM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Generator hard start
>
>  
> Thanks for your thoughts Gary,
>
> If it was a relay, wouldn't that mean that it would probably be more
inconsistent than it is?  It has consistently started after the four to sixth
turnover attempt.
>
> Regarding oil pressure; I have oil pressure after it starts of course, but
how would I know if I have any during the start attempts?  Should the guage show
pressure even during the attempted start period?  I've been starting it from
outside, but maybe next time I will start it from inside and watch the guage.
>
> Thanks again.
> Rick Davis
> '93 WLSA
> in Houston
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: GARY MINKER
> To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2009 6:25:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Generator hard start
>
>  
> Sounds like oil pressure or indication to me.  I have seen this one before. 
There are also some relays in the box that hang up plus if the alternator makes
no 120/240 it will drop itself as it is all stupidly fail safed through each
relay.  It can be touchy to troubleshoot but I would go there.  You can dummy
out the oil sender.  You have to know if it is a go high or goes low.
>
> --- On Sat, 7/25/09, Rick Davis wrote:
>
>
> >From: Rick Davis
> >Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Generator hard start
> >To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
> >Date: Saturday, July 25, 2009, 11:04 AM
> >
> >
> > 
> >Gary, I guess I shouldn't use the phrase "quits quickly", since it never
really starts.  It just sounds like it is trying so hard to start, but just
won't stay going that extra second or two.  I feel that holding down the starter
button longer would help, but I am punchy to hold it down more than a second or
two.  I played with it again yesterday, and it will start on about the 6th try;
two trys at a time before waiting a couple of minutes.  I am hitting the glow
plug each time I get back to it.  It has the big modified air filter on it, and
I have ordered a new one from Birtles.  Maybe that will help.
> >Rick Davis
> >'93 WLSA
> >in hot Houston for now
> >
> >
> >
> >
> ________________________________
> From: GARY MINKER
> >To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
> >Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 6:42:11 AM
> >Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Generator hard start
> >
> > 
> >What is (quits quickly?) If your oil pressure is low, it will drop the engine
like a stone.  Do you hold the starter in for a few extra seconds and it will
start?  Is this an oil pressure shut down due to fresh start up?  If so, it is
not broken.  Your engine is clearanced and needs some revs to get the pressure
up.
> >
> >--- On Sun, 7/19/09, davisgr wrote:
> >
> >
> >>From: davisgr
> >>Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Generator hard start
> >>To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
> >>Date: Sunday, July 19, 2009, 9:14 PM
> >>
> >>
> >> 
> >>I'm still having genny start problems when starting it after it has sat for
days. I have some hot weather driving coming up with guests on board, and am
getting punchy about the possibility of it getting worse. especially after it
always kicking right off.
> >>
> >>It seems to turn over fast enough, and it "starts" quick enough but quits
quickly.
> >>
> >>My sequence is this:
> >>1)Hit glow plug for 20 seconds. Hit start button with no start. Hit start
button and start but quit after a second or two.
> >>
> >>2)Wait a oouple or three minutes and repeat, with it maybe running a second
or two longer this time.
> >>
> >>3)Finally on the third or fourth series it will finally lump lump along for
a few seconds but stay on long enough for the fan to kick in and start purring
like a kitten.
> >>
> >>Once started it runs great. And it will start great again after it has been
started, even after it has been turned off for up to an hour.
> >>
> >>Oil pressure is good. It is about time for a oil and fuel filter change. You
think I should just do that now, or anyone have any other ideas?
> >>
> >>Rick Davis
> >>'93 WLSA
> >>in Houston
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>