Kohler Generator 9EOZD Won't Start

We gas at the same places, think I use my generator more than you, so kind of not believing this link. I also don't get the "back flow" stuff??? AKA heated fuel returning to the tank??

I am diesel naive, so with that said, can diesel "backflow" to the tank from the generator? If so and that is true, we are talking ounces, no? Ounces can create Algae??? And if so, why were the motors not affected?
Very confused, here is why.
We get fuel at the same places, I run my generator more than you, both of us have no problems with our motors. I have no Gen issues???

With that said, I have a racor filter and a filter in the generator. Maybe you have just one filter ?

Walter
 
I would suggest you check the racors on your mains if there is a problem with your fuel you will find what looks like black sludge all over those filters. Not like I want an award but I'm pretty sure I said to look for these issues what seems likes weeks ago. Anyway glad to hear it is fixed and working!
 
We don't get fuel in the same place, I used marine max and bergen point this year and you haven't.
Last place I got fuel was Channel club.
I have 2 filters per motor.

It's not the fuel, its the over heated return fuel.

You need to read about diesels. They return unused fuel and this fuel can be heated and cause condensation.
I have seen my return fuel lines.

I am sure my generator getting a weed clog 3 times this year didn't help and may of built up some sludge in the genny common rail.

Probably need to add south bay strainers to Genny. I can't add on IPS!
 
Even fresh Diesel fuel has bugs in it all by itself (because water is very miscible in diesel) and it does not take long for them to form. Tanks also get condensate just by virtue of sitting there and heating and cooling, that includes storage tanks and onboard tanks. That is why we sump out jets and use DEGMME in the fuel. I get bugs in my car and truck and I drive and fuel them all the time. Put in some Biobor. Diesel and jet fuel all have miscible water, nature of the beast.
 
Modern diesels return more fuel than they burn. I'm having a hard time believing a genset that size running hot would have enough effect over the main tank's fuel temperature to cause increased Algae growth clogging only the generator's fuel supply.
I might be wrong....
 
Indeed the little genset doesn't pump that much fuel. The engines OTOH pump a lot and usually at least half of it returns to the tank at WOT and even more at low loads. That's why running with low fuel is an effective way to cycle the fuel through the filters.

Yes the returned fuel is used to cool the injection system and is warmer. So what? There are so many theories about stuff happening in the tanks with diesel but most junk in diesel is delivered with the fuel. That's why you have filters and water separators. All this algae, asphaltanes, condensation with low fuel level is so much fear mongering if you use the boat and fuel from clean sources. 99% you stirred up crud at the bottom of the tanks that has been there since you got the boat. It was probably a low hours lake queen fueled from low volume fuel seller. The ideal conditions for all the fuel gremlins people like to obsess about.

You still haven't told us if you have clear bowls to judge the fuel color.
 
Use Biobor JF, shock. The tank and use it at every fill up. Will kill the bugs.
 
Bruce, I don't have clear bowls. I have solid metal bowels. I don't know why but i have UL rated filters which don't have clear bowls. I considered adding clear bowls but then I get concerned as to whether I void any abyc code. There must be a reason regal went with UL ratings. Perhaps based on the size of the engine room or operating temps. Not sure. To see my fuel I need to spin off the solid metal bowl or drain some fuel from it.

Here is my main filter. Genny has smaller version of same style.

P1020448.jpg
 
Why not drain out the racor using the drain on the bottom?
 
Why not drain out the racor using the drain on the bottom?
 
Probably because the are required for gassers and simplifies manufacturing. IMO you can change to clear, someone will know the current code. I had clear and two surveys made no comment.

As above you can drain the fuel a bit and see how it looks. I hate not being able to see the fuel condition in seconds every time I am in the er.
 
Dave, sorry to hear you have " metal bowels". That could be a good thing if you eat a lot of spices food!
 
:D Indeed. I could have used them several times.
 
You can filter all you want with 10 micron filters and not get rid of all the water in the fuel, thus assuring later microbe growth. That is because there is no filter than can filter 100% of dissolved water out of diesel fuel. The only sure way to deal with it all is to treat the fuel and push it through the engine.
 
So if I have Algae in tank, I assume I need to kill it. So biobor JF?
Then it will just pass thru or do I need to clean tanks?
 
Have you felt the return line and the tanks after a run?. IMO the fuel wont be all that hot. Most heat in the ER will come from the engines.

Do your new Cummins have the fuel coolers?? They are installed on some common rail engines not because of algae but to cool ffuel recirculating to maintain power levels that are specified at a certain temp. They might be needed in Dubai but not in GSB IMO. With your cold water and air I don't see you having any of those issues once the tanks are clean. In 15 years in FL with 85F water 90F very humid air I never had a problem and never used any additives. Just did as I suggested.

I am beginning to think you should have the fuel polished if just to sleep well.
 
I Just don't buy th clogged fuel line diagnostic, especially on a recent boat like yours. I smell BS on a Nigerian scale... So before any drastic action, wait a bit and see what s going on.

Diesels engines do return quite a bit of fuel to the tank but the increased heat from teh warm fuel is nothing compared from engine room heat raising temperature in the tanks. Don't know where your fuel tanks are located but they are often mounted in the ER. You can bet they will be as hot or hotter than the fuel being returned. On charmer I have fuel temp info on the cat displays and the fuel usually will be at about 100 deg after a while... The Er ambient temp is usually above that and the two main tanks are in the ER...

Any growth, algea, etc... Will be caught by the filters. Did they change the filters? Primary AND secondary?

The gold standard in diesel fuel filters is racors with bowls to catch water and removable elements you pull from the top. There should also be water alarms in the bowls to warn you of water. The filter you have is a cheap short cut from teh manufacturer...but unfortunately most people accept these set ups and don't pay as much attention to what is a critical component as they do to drink holders and flat screens...
 
So got more info. The pickup tube from the tank was clogged. They had to find the access panels to the fuel tank which is buried under the salon floor. It is not in the Er. They cleaned up the pickup tube. The filters are fine. The crud never made it to the filters.

I think when we had that rough run in the ocean it must of stirred up the crud. The genset has much smaller lines than the motors.

I added biobor jf and I don't know if it is that or them cleaning the pickup tube but my genny is purring like a kitten. Seriously. It is quieter and running better than it ever did. I took a ride to mix up the biobor and the motors ran fine too.

I added startron diesel stabilizer as well. Coming out in a week for winter. Will change fuel filters in spring and hope for the best.

Guess I could of fixed this myself if I dug deeper. Probably if I had clear bowls which I am going to add I would of saw they were empty and not getting fuel.

I read more on the filter bowls and ABYC says only metal bowls should be used below decks and plastic bowls are used only for outboards. I saw where they said most manufacturers break this rule using plastic clear bowls below decks. The plastic bowls flashover point is too quick. But I have to say if I have a fire that can melt a bowl, can't it also melt a rubber fuel line? My concern would be if I did have a fire that insurance would see the plastic bowl and not pay out. So perhaps I stick with my metal bowls.
 
yes.....agree. I would expect an insurance company to weasel through any loop hole they can find to NOT PAY.
 
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