Westerbeke-gctid807622

[Mariner156]

I start my generator once a month and let it run for 30 minutes to let the battery charge.

Yesterday I went to start it and it will not start, just turns over. I was really surprised as it usually starts right up. I do not have any experience working on generators. Can someone give me a few pointers on things I should look for?

Thanks. Jamie

[The_Other_Gary]

Several things to check first off, you will need a helper for this.

1. Turn switch to on, press preheat, listen for the electric fuel pump clicking or hold your hand on it to feel the clicks.

2. Repeat above and watch for the fuel solenoid to pull down to turn fuel on. The linkage can get corroded and there is not enough power to pull it down to ON.

3. If 1. is present you can tie a wire or cord to the solenoid linkage and pull it down manually while you try a start. Usually it will hold but not pull with corroded linkage once it starts.

4. If fuel pump and solenoid are good you need to check your fuel filters including the one on the engine that everyone forgets is there and your preheaters but they should show

that they are working by voltage drop when preheat is pushed.

Diesels are simple, fuel, air and compression.

[NeilW]

"Mariner156" post=807622 wrote:
I start my generator once a month and let it run for 30 minutes to let the battery charge.

Yesterday I went to start it and it will not start, just turns over. I was really surprised as it usually starts right up. I do not have any experience working on generators. Can someone give me a few pointers on things I should look for?

Thanks. Jamie

I did

[The_Other_Gary]

I did[/quote]

:unsure:

So Neil, did you actually get dirty pulling down the solenoid? Or just push the start button while Mariner156 did the dirty stuff?:unsure:

[Mariner156]

Ha! I pushed the button. Neil took off his flip flops and got down and dirty