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Topic: Air lock in generator cooling system  (Read 1473 times) previous topic - next topic

Air lock in generator cooling system

Trying to remove possible air lock in generator cooling system , it's been suggested that I should run generator with both yellow handled valves (on header tank ) open . Then allow system to cool, remove pressure cap , top up coolant , close yellow handled valves .
Anybody tried this 
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #1 –
I really am in uncharterd waters , Barry has not heard of this !!
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #2 –
You might try Mark Harvey or James Triana at the factory. Our 03 also has those yellow handles, and I am not sure how to use them to bleed the system, but both are supposed to be in the up position for normal operation
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #3 –
Why do you thing you have an air lock? Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #4 –
Keep getting a fault light on dash, none on gen set, George had similar problem and had me look at expansion tank which was very very low , he had shop vent header tank using the yellow valves . Thought I should check
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Jimmyjnr –
Keep getting a fault light on dash, none on gen set, George had similar problem and had me look at expansion tank which was very very low

Jimmy,

We had a potentially similar last year (another 2003 ;) ).  In our case, the genset wouldn't stay running over bumps/unlevel slow speed operation.

Have you replaced the coolant overflow line going from the expansion (overflow) tank to the radiator cap and also the rad cap?  If not, we found our line to have air leaks in it, causing low coolant level in the expansion tank (and also the main tank of the genset).  Try that first if you haven't, and be very VERY careful of the brazed fitting/nipple just below the rad cap that the hose fits on - the brazed joint is very fragile and ours had been previously repaired (FOT redid the braze for us last year when we found the issue).

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #6 –
Michele
Thanks for the tip , have two new fuel filters which are another potential cause , did they do anything with yellow handled valves whilst refilling ?
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #7 –
Jimmy,

Once Steve replaced the overflow tube and FOT repaired the cracked fitting (Steve discovered it was loose when he was doing the tubing replacement), we refilled the tank and overflow ourselves and we did not do anything with those valves. 

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #8 –
Michele
Your on the money again , the expansion tube has cracks in it , another trip to napa
Thanks
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #9 –
Again thanks to everyone for their help , fingers crossed the dash fault light has remained off for 24 hours ( fingers crossed ) . I think the problem was low coolant associated with leaking over flow pipe ,also changed the primary fuel filter which was pretty bad may even be original .
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #10 –
Great.  Glad you are making progress!  Did you look at the fault lights on the generator?  They will give you more info if it happens again.  But be sure to note if the fault light is solid or blinking.... that sometimes means two different problems.

So did you use the two valves?

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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Air lock in generator cooling system

Reply #11 –
Yes , I opened them whilst refilling the system , then closed when up to level .
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620