84 PT40 - Genset Problems

[jesupbill]

I have several problems with my Kuboto generator and before I start the
repairs I need some advice. First it does not use oil but smokes badly,
to the point that it actually leaves some soot inside the coach. It has
several diesel leaks. On a warm day it will overheat unless I slide it
out and then it will run cool all day. It is noisy, loud as all get
out. I covet those who have whisper quite generators.

I'm thinking about a complete overhaul to replace all gaskets, etc.
Injector pump rebuild, new injectors, new fuel lines to replace any
leaking, radiator rod out, new muffler. Also the hydraulic generator
slide out has quit, but I think repairing that may be over my head.

It has gotten to the point that I dread starting up the ginny and it
makes travel alot less enjoyable. All thoughts and advice would be
welcomed before I do anything.

Bill Garlen
84PT40
Jesup, GA

[pattypape]

Just a few suggestions.
Overheating is a real concern, Check the cooling fans, then pull and
service the radiator and cooling system including the thermostat.
This probably will not stop the smoke , some smoke is normal.
change the fuel filters and oil, adjust the valves, this may help.

Bill 88 FC Michigan


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jesupbill" wrote:
>
> I have several problems with my Kuboto generator and before I start
the
> repairs I need some advice. First it does not use oil but smokes
badly,
> to the point that it actually leaves some soot inside the coach. It
has
> several diesel leaks. On a warm day it will overheat unless I slide
it
> out and then it will run cool all day. It is noisy, loud as all get
> out. I covet those who have whisper quite generators.
>
> I'm thinking about a complete overhaul to replace all gaskets, etc.
> Injector pump rebuild, new injectors, new fuel lines to replace any
> leaking, radiator rod out, new muffler. Also the hydraulic
generator
> slide out has quit, but I think repairing that may be over my head.
>
> It has gotten to the point that I dread starting up the ginny and
it
> makes travel alot less enjoyable. All thoughts and advice would be
> welcomed before I do anything.
>
> Bill Garlen
> 84PT40
> Jesup, GA
>

[Scott Forman]

On the smoking-do you use a vertical exhaust when parked? I
fabricated one last year, and after a few months, I was smoking
horribly. Turned out that the un-vented vertical exhaust was
creating too much back pressure and it was kicking out oil, in fact
the muffler was full of oil. I fabricated a new vertical exhaust
that is vented.

On the noise-these are noisy units. All you can do it insulated the
heck out of the compartment and try to isolate vibrations...for
instance, I discovered that my cooling fan was vibrating and passing
a resonant sound through the coach. A few strategically placed
washers wedged between the mount & the frame solved that problem and
reduced noise noticably. Chasing generator noise is one of my main
hobbies.

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jesupbill" wrote:
>
> I have several problems with my Kuboto generator and before I start
the
> repairs I need some advice. First it does not use oil but smokes
badly,
> to the point that it actually leaves some soot inside the coach. It
has
> several diesel leaks. On a warm day it will overheat unless I slide
it
> out and then it will run cool all day. It is noisy, loud as all get
> out. I covet those who have whisper quite generators.
>
> I'm thinking about a complete overhaul to replace all gaskets, etc.
> Injector pump rebuild, new injectors, new fuel lines to replace any
> leaking, radiator rod out, new muffler. Also the hydraulic
generator
> slide out has quit, but I think repairing that may be over my head.
>
> It has gotten to the point that I dread starting up the ginny and
it
> makes travel alot less enjoyable. All thoughts and advice would be
> welcomed before I do anything.
>
> Bill Garlen
> 84PT40
> Jesup, GA
>

[Mike McMahan]

Always look at the simple stuff first. You will save a lot of money
over time taking this approach. While all of these older generators
are louder and smoke more that the newer one they can be reliable and
bearable. The first thing I would check is the air filter/inlet for
any obstructions or a stopped up filter. In reading your post the
comment about overheating is a big concern. While the generator
should have a high temp shutoff on a coach this old it may or may not
work. How Hot did it get, how many times, High temp is death to
these engines. How many hours on the generator, How long have you
had it, did it do this when you purchased it. Other things to check
are any unusual noises, a knocking noise that sounds like a bad rod
bearing can be a bad injector(lots of smoke). Check the oil, is it
normal looking, overfull? All of these things can give you clues
about the source of the problem. I don't remember if the 84 has the
side or front mounted radiator. If it is the side mount check to see
if when the gen set is in that you are not colapsing one of the
coolant lines to the radiator. Hope some of this helps. Mike
Mcmahan 96 Wanderlodge 42'

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jesupbill" wrote:
>
> I have several problems with my Kuboto generator and before I start
the
> repairs I need some advice. First it does not use oil but smokes
badly,
> to the point that it actually leaves some soot inside the coach. It
has
> several diesel leaks. On a warm day it will overheat unless I slide
it
> out and then it will run cool all day. It is noisy, loud as all get
> out. I covet those who have whisper quite generators.
>
> I'm thinking about a complete overhaul to replace all gaskets, etc.
> Injector pump rebuild, new injectors, new fuel lines to replace any
> leaking, radiator rod out, new muffler. Also the hydraulic
generator
> slide out has quit, but I think repairing that may be over my head.
>
> It has gotten to the point that I dread starting up the ginny and
it
> makes travel alot less enjoyable. All thoughts and advice would be
> welcomed before I do anything.
>
> Bill Garlen
> 84PT40
> Jesup, GA
>

[bloomas]

----- Original Message -----

From: "bill@garlen.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 9:41 AM

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 84 PT40 - Genset Problems Hi Bill Back about seven years ago I was having oil leaks fuel leaks and black soot.I got a price for

repairs and then a price for a new 12 KW power teck.There was not that much difference in price so I opted

for the new generator.Was able to sell the old one that help to get the cost down.

Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36

Harahan La.

I have several problems with my Kuboto generator and before I start the
repairs I need some advice. First it does not use oil but smokes badly,
to the point that it actually leaves some soot inside the coach. It has
several diesel leaks. On a warm day it will overheat unless I slide it
out and then it will run cool all day. It is noisy, loud as all get
out. I covet those who have whisper quite generators.

I'm thinking about a complete overhaul to replace all gaskets, etc.
Injector pump rebuild, new injectors, new fuel lines to replace any
leaking, radiator rod out, new muffler. Also the hydraulic generator
slide out has quit, but I think repairing that may be over my head.

It has gotten to the point that I dread starting up the ginny and it
makes travel alot less enjoyable. All thoughts and advice would be
welcomed before I do anything.

Bill Garlen
84PT40
Jesup, GA

[jesupbill]

Hey, Bob, haven't talked to you in a long time. Hope your doing good.
Of course you remember when I bought this coach, you were a great
help and I'll never forget your kindness.

How hard is the swap-out and is the newer generator quieter. Mine is
a front mounted radiator and actually starts and runs good everytime,
except for all these problems. It uses no oil and when slid out will
run forever. But that puts smoky exhaust under the coach and makes it
louder.

Bill Garlen
84PT40
Jesup, GA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bloomas"
wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: jesupbill
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 9:41 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 84 PT40 - Genset Problems Hi Bill
Back about seven years ago I was having oil leaks fuel leaks and
black soot.I got a price for
> repairs and then a price for a new 12 KW power teck.There was not
that much difference in price so I opted
> for the new generator.Was able to sell the old one that help to
get the cost down.
> Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
> Harahan La.
>
>
> I have several problems with my Kuboto generator and before I
start the
> repairs I need some advice. First it does not use oil but smokes
badly,
> to the point that it actually leaves some soot inside the coach.
It has
> several diesel leaks. On a warm day it will overheat unless I
slide it
> out and then it will run cool all day. It is noisy, loud as all
get
> out. I covet those who have whisper quite generators.
>
> I'm thinking about a complete overhaul to replace all gaskets,
etc.
> Injector pump rebuild, new injectors, new fuel lines to replace
any
> leaking, radiator rod out, new muffler. Also the hydraulic
generator
> slide out has quit, but I think repairing that may be over my
head.
>
> It has gotten to the point that I dread starting up the ginny and
it
> makes travel alot less enjoyable. All thoughts and advice would
be
> welcomed before I do anything.
>
> Bill Garlen
> 84PT40
> Jesup, GA
>

[Pete Masterson]

Soot is a sign of incomplete diesel combustion. Check the air cleaner and ensure that the exhaust pipe isn't blocked. I had severe sooting from my Kubota engined PowerTech. I found the crankcase breather terminated about a foot from the air cleaner air intake. While the output from the breather wasn't much, it was "killing" the air filter after only a short time. I replaced the crankcase breather tube with a longer one and found I could route it outside the generator enclosure by slipping it past some foam sound insulation where the door and enclosure box meet, so I didn't have to drill a hole through the enclosure.

Also check the exhaust pipe for blockage/constriction. Once the sooting started, I discovered that the soot built up in the alternate exhaust stack (that goes through the roof in my coach). [I don't know if your unit has this feature.] Once I opened the bottom exhaust opening, a considerable amount of soot was ejected (making a _huge_ mess). 

However, after replacing the air cleaner filter and getting the soot accumulation out of the exhaust pipe, the generator runs much cleaner and with little black smoke once it gets going. 

Your generator engine may need the complete going over you suggest and it sure sounds like you have some cooling problems. (Be sure the cooling fan is operating 100% of the time that engine is running. If it is "cycling" on and off, that's a sign that the motor is wearing out. There is no thermostat (that I know of) in the system that cycles the fan. It should come on shortly after start up (when the generator starts outputting electricity) and run until the system is shut down.

If the engine has enough hours, then the fuel lines, gaskets, injector pump, etc. may be necessary -- that's a judgment you'll have to make.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 2, 2008, at 7:41 AM, jesupbill wrote:

I have several problems with my Kuboto generator and before I start the 

repairs I need some advice. First it does not use oil but smokes badly, 

to the point that it actually leaves some soot inside the coach. It has 

several diesel leaks. On a warm day it will overheat unless I slide it 

out and then it will run cool all day. It is noisy, loud as all get 

out. I covet those who have whisper quite generators. 

I'm thinking about a complete overhaul to replace all gaskets, etc. 

Injector pump rebuild, new injectors, new fuel lines to replace any 

leaking, radiator rod out, new muffler. Also the hydraulic generator 

slide out has quit, but I think repairing that may be over my head.

It has gotten to the point that I dread starting up the ginny and it 

makes travel alot less enjoyable. All thoughts and advice would be 

welcomed before I do anything.

Bill Garlen

84PT40

Jesup, GA

[erniecarpet@...]

I wish my generator had the squirrel cage instead of the front radiator. Mine, also, quite loud.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Weatherford, Tx

---

Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.

[antique405@...]

I got lucky on my 83. My radiator is in the left side.

Paul Downey

Versailles Ky

83PT35

Our Rollin Home

---

Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.

[timvasqz]

I think Scott gives good advice on the exhaust system checkup. a
plugged system will make the unit run hot, smoke and shake. the
vibration is almost as bad as the noise. Pete may be on to
something when he refers to oil getting sucked up into the intake
because as you state that your kubota leaks oil all over. I wonder
if opening the genset compartment is not cooling the engine but
giving starved air to the intake???? if the closed compartment is
too sealed off it is choking the turbo for air and this will also
make it run hot and smoke????

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jesupbill"
wrote:
>
> I have several problems with my Kuboto generator and before I
start the
> repairs I need some advice. First it does not use oil but smokes
badly,
> to the point that it actually leaves some soot inside the coach.
It has
> several diesel leaks. On a warm day it will overheat unless I
slide it
> out and then it will run cool all day. It is noisy, loud as all
get
> out. I covet those who have whisper quite generators.
>
> I'm thinking about a complete overhaul to replace all gaskets,
etc.
> Injector pump rebuild, new injectors, new fuel lines to replace
any
> leaking, radiator rod out, new muffler. Also the hydraulic
generator
> slide out has quit, but I think repairing that may be over my head.
>
> It has gotten to the point that I dread starting up the ginny and
it
> makes travel alot less enjoyable. All thoughts and advice would be
> welcomed before I do anything.
>
> Bill Garlen
> 84PT40
> Jesup, GA
>