The potential buyer of Moose already knows this, so I'm asking for some help on a possible fix on my Power Tech 10W generator.
Yesterday we put some fuel in Moose and drove it back to the RV park. On my way out the door I wanted to make sure the generator (I double check everything!) was in full working order, so I unplugged it from shore power and started the generator. It ran fine for 5 minutes and I turned on the AC's. When the AC's kicked in, the generator stalled out. There were no fault code lights on in the front of the generator. It just quit.
I visually checked everything, couldn't SEE anything wrong, so I tried again. This time the AC's were off and it ran for about 3 minutes and stalled out. Started pouring rain so I want home.
This morning I started the generator with AC's off and it ran for 93 seconds and stalled out. I waited 2 minutes and started again... ran for 30 seconds and stalled out. Started raining again, so I came home.
I do have a spare fuel filter ( located on the driver side 1st bay) but couldn't unscrew the filter with my bare hands. Would a clogged filter be a cause? There IS fuel in the bottom of the filter housing where a small drain valve is located.
I'm not a mechanic so this is as far as I can get. There are no shops in the area that can see me until the end of next week. Not sure if the buyer is still coming or not, but I did reduce the price for him because of this trouble that suddenly appeared.
Can't believe this happens right before a sale. Rats.
Suggestions?
Is the coach full of fuel.
Follow the earlier post on the generator problem and areas to check. Fuel starvation is the problem but may be filter or supply hose related. If you are not a mechanic you can still check the hose connections for cracks, try tightening the clamps, etc. Filter can be replaced using a filter wrench, old fan belt twisted around the filter and a big screwdriver or even a rope twisted around with a screwdriver. Installation is only hand tight. Check and replace the inline filter if you have one. Unless you can run the pump to fill the new fuel filter, I would fill it with CLEAN diesel before you screw it back on or you may have trouble starting it again. Wear gloves. Loosen the main fuel tank cap to release pressure before taking the fuel filter off.
Your generator is getting enough fuel without a load but when the load increases so is the amount of fuel needed and the problem shows up. Since it starts OK, you can probably rule out the fuel pump.
As John posted, how much fuel is in the tank? The generator fuel pickup is a little higher than the one for the engine.
Diesel engines and even a small amount of air getting into the system don't go together. 90% of generator problems are fuel supply/starvation issues.
Pierce
Sorry to hear of your problems with the genny Steve. It seemed O.K. the other day when I checked it out. I suppose it could be a clogged filter. Maybe you got some bad fuel. Gary called me about it this morning, I am sure he can figure it out for Rodney. Enjoyed meeting you and your wife the other day.
Mark
Make sure the fan is coming on. On ours, we start the generator and as soon as it provides power the fan underneath the driver comes on to cool it. Ours has a switch on the control panel of the generator that will turn the fan on/off - so make sure it's in the "on" position. If the fan doesn't come on, the generator will shut off.
Ours also had a fuel hose leak, causing air to enter the system and shutting off the generator. This can be hard to diagnose as the cracks in the line can be tiny, and hidden.
Good luck with everything -
No. It's a little more than half full.
the fan does come on.
I'll have to look closer at the hoses I guess.
thanks Mark :) Words of encouragement always helps. That's the kicker here - it ran when you inspected it. Go figure. I'm going to assume that Rodney is still on his way. The weather here tomorrow is going to be really bad - rain, rain, rain. That's gonna suck.
On our '96, every once in a while, the breaker that runs the cooling fan would trip on the generator start. After the generator ran for about 90 seconds, the generator, not being cooled by the fan, would shut down as it was overheating. Check the breaker.
If has been sitting a while in warm climate, algae may be clogging filters, definitely fuel starvation
Ck the inline fuel filter. These are usually clogged. DAN
Steve,
Gary said that Rodney should be there this afternoon.
Mark
OK. Duh - Uh... where's that located?
I have had three issues with my '97 Isuzu 3LD1:
1. Cracked hose that ran under step.
2. Electric fuel pump (I assume that's what it is) 12v mounted in front of engine on fuel line.
3. Electric fan. Replaced it, had to buy a puller to get the squirrel cage off.
Need to do a fan belt now, perhaps a water pump too.
Another possibility is failing oil pressure sender.
This post is 11 years old.
Interesting, I never noticed.
Now I want to know what the final fix was!