<![CDATA[Newell Gurus - Generators]]> https://newellgurus.com/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 23:09:49 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Generator cranking, but not starting]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=8142 Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:16:30 +0000 Gnawrocki1]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=8142
Normally I start the generator, engine, and aqua hot monthly and warm up a bit even though for much of the year we start at 100F and go up from there in Phoenix.

I have never had an issue with the generator starting and it always fired right up.  This generator has seen moderate use prior to me purchasing and has about 1500hrs on it.  I have not really used it much, and now even much less now that I have 2400W of Solar on the roof.

But this month, the generator does not start.  It cranks fairly well from what I can tell, and the batteries have enough juice to start the main engine. I have the generator hooked up to the engine start batteries since the 48V lithium house batteries have been installed.  I have had it that way for over 2 years now, and it never presented any problems.  

The generator is the 20KW Kohler, 1998 coach 500.

Here are some of the things I have checked so far:
  1. Initially tried to bleed/prime the fuel system on top of the fuel filter.  However I found out that the prime switch electrical connections to the fuel pump were intermittently connected at the "snap on" wire splice (I always hated those).  That that is right before the fuel pump electrical connection.  I have removed the splice and soldered in new wires.  The prime function now works and I could bleed the system consistently.  I am not going to say the pressure in the system was high, but fuel did flow with the screw backed out about 1 turn. No air came out, only fuel.  This did nothing for my start problem.
  2. I changed the fuel filter and the air filter.  I did not change the water separator filter, the viewing bowl seemed clean and I did not have a spare.  All fuel I have seen looks good and has no odd smell, even though it is 9 months old.  The tank is full.   After changing the fuel filter, I bled/primed the system at the filter housing screw on top until no bubbles appeared.  I am guessing I pumped out 2-3 oz out of the bleeder screw.  The air filter was dirty, but not horrible.  Again, engine turned over, but did not fire at all.  I cranked longer than usual, just in case there was some air trapped above the filter.
  3. I took a short cut to verify that the all of the safety systems were not activated  (overtemp, oil pressure, fire extinguisher) by hooking my volt meter up to the fuel pump electrical connection.  When I crank the generator, the fuel pump does get power.  With cranking noise I cannot tell if pump is on, but I imagine that it is since it has power.   Again crank but no start.
  4. The voltage to the fuel pump during cranking was about 9.8V.  Maybe that is expected while cranking but it did feel lower than I had imagined
  5. The fuse to the fuel pump is good as checked with continuity
  6. Radiator is full

My current thought was to replace the fuel pump, but wanted to ask the crew if I missed any obvious troubleshooting steps.  Possibly I could hook up a fuel pressure gauge to verify pressure, but I am uncertain if the pressure at the bleed screw is what is delivered to the injectors as it may be on a line back to the tank???

Thanks for reading the entire post!]]>
Normally I start the generator, engine, and aqua hot monthly and warm up a bit even though for much of the year we start at 100F and go up from there in Phoenix.

I have never had an issue with the generator starting and it always fired right up.  This generator has seen moderate use prior to me purchasing and has about 1500hrs on it.  I have not really used it much, and now even much less now that I have 2400W of Solar on the roof.

But this month, the generator does not start.  It cranks fairly well from what I can tell, and the batteries have enough juice to start the main engine. I have the generator hooked up to the engine start batteries since the 48V lithium house batteries have been installed.  I have had it that way for over 2 years now, and it never presented any problems.  

The generator is the 20KW Kohler, 1998 coach 500.

Here are some of the things I have checked so far:
  1. Initially tried to bleed/prime the fuel system on top of the fuel filter.  However I found out that the prime switch electrical connections to the fuel pump were intermittently connected at the "snap on" wire splice (I always hated those).  That that is right before the fuel pump electrical connection.  I have removed the splice and soldered in new wires.  The prime function now works and I could bleed the system consistently.  I am not going to say the pressure in the system was high, but fuel did flow with the screw backed out about 1 turn. No air came out, only fuel.  This did nothing for my start problem.
  2. I changed the fuel filter and the air filter.  I did not change the water separator filter, the viewing bowl seemed clean and I did not have a spare.  All fuel I have seen looks good and has no odd smell, even though it is 9 months old.  The tank is full.   After changing the fuel filter, I bled/primed the system at the filter housing screw on top until no bubbles appeared.  I am guessing I pumped out 2-3 oz out of the bleeder screw.  The air filter was dirty, but not horrible.  Again, engine turned over, but did not fire at all.  I cranked longer than usual, just in case there was some air trapped above the filter.
  3. I took a short cut to verify that the all of the safety systems were not activated  (overtemp, oil pressure, fire extinguisher) by hooking my volt meter up to the fuel pump electrical connection.  When I crank the generator, the fuel pump does get power.  With cranking noise I cannot tell if pump is on, but I imagine that it is since it has power.   Again crank but no start.
  4. The voltage to the fuel pump during cranking was about 9.8V.  Maybe that is expected while cranking but it did feel lower than I had imagined
  5. The fuse to the fuel pump is good as checked with continuity
  6. Radiator is full

My current thought was to replace the fuel pump, but wanted to ask the crew if I missed any obvious troubleshooting steps.  Possibly I could hook up a fuel pressure gauge to verify pressure, but I am uncertain if the pressure at the bleed screw is what is delivered to the injectors as it may be on a line back to the tank???

Thanks for reading the entire post!]]> <![CDATA[Yanmar Compression Tester]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=7652 Thu, 19 Oct 2023 11:16:13 +0000 Richard]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=7652
Here are pics. 

If you ever need to borrow it, let me know.
.jpeg IMG_0649.jpeg Size: 2.37 MB  Downloads: 49

.jpeg IMG_0650.jpeg Size: 2.46 MB  Downloads: 50
]]>
Here are pics. 

If you ever need to borrow it, let me know.
.jpeg IMG_0649.jpeg Size: 2.37 MB  Downloads: 49

.jpeg IMG_0650.jpeg Size: 2.46 MB  Downloads: 50
]]> <![CDATA[Removing generator]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=6699 Fri, 01 Apr 2022 23:27:30 +0000 HoosierDaddy]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=6699 <![CDATA[Generator quits]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=5787 Thu, 12 Nov 2020 17:33:11 +0000 Winegrower]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=5787 <![CDATA[Yanmar 20 KW Generator Water Pump]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=5392 Wed, 26 Feb 2020 20:57:47 +0000 CHRIS 1999 2 Slide]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=5392
Say does anyone out there know which number water pump might be on the Yanmars 20 KW Gen. that were produced back around 1999. I call two different Yanmar distributors in different parts of the country and they both said they thought it was the same number. So I went on eBay and bought it but after receiving it I noted that it wasn't even close. From what I understand is for that particular diesel motor they made like six different water pumps for it depending on what it was being put into (ie; boat, gen., bulldoser, bobcat, etc.).
I checked with my local RV mechanic and he can't find it through his sources, I've even put in 2 calls to Newell parts but they haven't gotten back to me for quit a while as of yet and they may not know for sure either.
If anyone out there thinks they know please get in touch, thanks!

Chris Mann]]>
Say does anyone out there know which number water pump might be on the Yanmars 20 KW Gen. that were produced back around 1999. I call two different Yanmar distributors in different parts of the country and they both said they thought it was the same number. So I went on eBay and bought it but after receiving it I noted that it wasn't even close. From what I understand is for that particular diesel motor they made like six different water pumps for it depending on what it was being put into (ie; boat, gen., bulldoser, bobcat, etc.).
I checked with my local RV mechanic and he can't find it through his sources, I've even put in 2 calls to Newell parts but they haven't gotten back to me for quit a while as of yet and they may not know for sure either.
If anyone out there thinks they know please get in touch, thanks!

Chris Mann]]> <![CDATA[Koehler Gen/Dayton Blower Motor Pulley]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=4473 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 02:33:15 +0000 89classic]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=4473
We had to replace the motor and the pulley is froze to the motors driveshaft (We’re not with the coach).

Thanks for your help]]>
We had to replace the motor and the pulley is froze to the motors driveshaft (We’re not with the coach).

Thanks for your help]]> <![CDATA[Service Manual]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=3008 Sat, 30 Jul 2016 19:19:33 +0000 rheavn]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=3008
http://prevostcommunity.com/PDF/Kohler.pdf]]>
http://prevostcommunity.com/PDF/Kohler.pdf]]> <![CDATA[hard start / fuel pump replacement]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=2784 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:34:48 +0000 Richard]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=2784
It was pretty evident that it was not maintaining fuel pressure. I suspected that the pump was allowing the pressure to leak away when the generator sat for any length of time.

It took a call to Carter to confirm a new part number for the old pump, but here is the new Carter pump number .

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CIQ...ge_o01_s00  This is for the Kohler genset with Yanmar engine. 

I am happy to say that after sitting for week, the genset started with the first touch of the switch.]]>
It was pretty evident that it was not maintaining fuel pressure. I suspected that the pump was allowing the pressure to leak away when the generator sat for any length of time.

It took a call to Carter to confirm a new part number for the old pump, but here is the new Carter pump number .

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CIQ...ge_o01_s00  This is for the Kohler genset with Yanmar engine. 

I am happy to say that after sitting for week, the genset started with the first touch of the switch.]]> <![CDATA[Powertech generator owners manual]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=570 Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:03:41 +0000 rheavn]]> https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=570 http://powertech-gen.com/wp-content/uplo...MANUAL.pdf]]> http://powertech-gen.com/wp-content/uplo...MANUAL.pdf]]>