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generator fuel filter

August 28, 2016, 03:46:13 pm

A few days ago I replaced the fuel filter on my  Kubota (10kw) generator.  I installed the new filter dry and fuel flowed fine after a few re-starts.  My question has to do with the in line filter that is located behind the generator box.  It is a small filter with a glass bowl and has obviously not been changed in a while. 
There is no observable petcock to turn off the fuel, and because of  its relatively high location, I assumed that this is not a gravity fed line.  I emptied nearly two quarts of fuel before pinching off the incoming line with a clamp.  I replaced the fuel filter after cleaning the bowl and turned on the generator before returning to the filter to see if it was filling (yes, I took clamp off).  No fuel was going  into the bowl, so I quickly shut off the generator.  The instructions were not helpful.  They have a procedure for venting the fuel system, but there was no air vent lever as illustrated in the manual.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

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Re: generator fuel filter

Reply #1 – August 29, 2016, 06:26:01 am

If you take off the inlet to the primary filter, fuel flows, right?  If not, is fuel tank low?  If fuel flows after disconnect, fill the primary filter, then loosen vent on top of secondary filter.  Restart gen, close vent when fuel flows.

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Re: generator fuel filter

Reply #2 – August 29, 2016, 08:47:23 am

As Brett said, the level of fuel in the fuel tank should be well-higher than the generator filter base.  So, easy to get 90% "primed" by just not fully tightening the filter until fuel runs out the gasket area.  That and operating the electric fuel pump on the generator should be all you need to do.

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Re: generator fuel filter

Reply #3 – August 29, 2016, 08:34:32 pm

I had filled the tank, but the pressure of the fuel pushing down on the outlet hose to the generator wasn't enough to get diesel to the first filter, much less the generator, apparently.  I ended up hooking up the fuel pump wires to my Jeep's battery, so that I could run it without burning up the starter motor.  I attached a longer fuel hose to it and that emptied into a container.  It didn't take long to get the fuel there and just a minute later, after replacing the correct fuel hose and putting the wires back, the generator was running fine - its also quieter with the new insulation.  Still surges with both A/C s on.
Next project: U-line icemaker.

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