Generac Generator Engine

[Marv 919]

I have a 16k home standby generator with issues (engine). Have any experience with this engine? Ever pulled the flywheel shroud off one?

Marv

[Pullstart 62,795]

@Achto?

[WHX?? 48,783]

What kind of issues Marv? Kohler engine? Shouldn't be too hard to wrench on other than being stuffed in those tight boxes...

[pfrederi 17,667]

I think Generac and B&S are related..  Need to know about the engine model #

[ZXT 2,401]

@Marv Definitely need pictures or a model number at the very least. I know Generac has used many different brand engines over the years. 

[Marv 919]

I understand it is a generac labeled engine. By whom I do not know. More information for you. The engine is a model 990, two cylinder, horizontal shaft with overhead valves. It is fueled with LP. The issue is: engine will not start and come up to speed. The problem started when during an exercise cycle it shut down because the system sensed an overspeed.  So, it probably did not get excesive. Compression and leak down checks are normal. Valve clearances at prescribed clearances. Ignition spark is good. Isolating the cylinders the engine will start and come up to stable speed and run smoothly on one cylinder. Disable spark to that cylinder and the engine will not start, although it will attempt to sometimes, but rough. Acts like out of time. The reason for my original question was because I have not been into one of the engines before. It certainly has some form of solid state ignition. Probably two units around the flywheel . I have not seen them so I am wondering if maybe the mounting leg on them has a horizontal slot to allow some adjustment which would affect the timing on that one cylinder if the mount bolt was loose or broken. It definitely will be a lot of work to get to them since the engine is in an enclosed cabinet.

Marv

[Achto 27,505]

5 hours ago, Marv said:

Have any experience with this engine?

 

Large industrial units are my forte, but I can offer some advice here. Your engine should be a Generac engine, depending on it's age. Basically it is a Honda clone, but we do build them in Jefferson WI.

 

Before you tear the engine apart take a look at your fuel regulator. There is a vent hole on the regulator, make sure that spiders did not make a nest in this vent hole. ( For some reason spiders love the smell of LP ). Any way if this hole is plugged the regulator can not adjust to atmospheric pressure and will not do its job, this can cause either a lean or rich condition which will screw up how the engine runs.

 

If all else fails call the service line at Generac, the guys there are pretty sharp & can usually solve a lot of issues over the phone. 1 (888) 436-3722

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions or issues getting answers from service. I happen to know a few guys ,

 

4 hours ago, WHX24 said:

Kohler engine?

 

No Kohler engines in a Generac gen set. In fact our CEO Aaron Jadgfeld has such an issue with Kohler that he actually made our maintenance dept paint over all of the K of K logos on our plumbing appliances at work.  Kinda a nut job that way he is.

Edited November 8, 2019 by Achto

[Marv 919]

5 minutes ago, Achto said:

Before you tear the engine apart take a look at your fuel regulator. There is a vent hole on the regulator, make sure that spiders did not make a nest in this vent hole

Thanks. Forgot to mention replaced regulator,

Marv

[ZXT 2,401]

45 minutes ago, Marv said:

Thanks. Forgot to mention replaced regulator,

Marv

Is the error light you're receiving a solid light or flashing? From what I can tell, a flashing overspeed light means that the unit isn't producing voltage when it should so it shuts down - a solid light indicates engine overspeed. 

 

I'd verify this and test the output voltage.

Edited November 8, 2019 by ZXT