(1988) Kohler 7.5KW Generator

[Ondercin]

I'm trying to locate valve springs for our Kohler generator, I believe its the original in our 1988 Carver 3607

The genny runs fine on loads of 15amps or less, but anything higher causes the engine to run hard and shutdown.

[g36]

Why would jump to valve springs being the cause.have you checked or adjusted them? or compression low etc? Just wondering how you made the jump to the springs?
How about checking temp with the larger load compared to the no load, good water flow or another sensor shutting down the unit.

[Ondercin]

Just guessing... When the engine starts to rev higher, it's either starving for fuel or just a guess that one of the valve springs are broken... Just going to pop the cover off now to inspect the valves.
I've replaced the fuel pump with a new electric pump, and the fuel is flowing.

[Livinthedream]

I would clean the carb. Most likely leaning out inter load. Or possibly overheating under a big load.

[Viper]

Ya could be a number of things. Check the simple stuff first with proper diagnostics before you get into internal engine components.

[Ondercin]

So it appears the distributor was off by 1, so the timing was out...
Now the genny runs great, the only thing left to figure out is it's overheating a bit after 3 or so hours and not shutdown down automatically.

[Viper]

Qr Bbpost ....it's overheating a bit after 3 or so hours and not shutdown down automatically.

Are you saying that it is overheating but not shutting down automatically? If so, you have a faulty overtemp switch. Or do you mean it does shut down automatically?

What do you mean by "a bit" and how are you coming to the conclusion that it is overheating?

There are several things that will cause an overheat; t-stat, restricted raw water flow, faulty pump/impeller, air in system, clogged raw water circuit, timing, bad heat exchanger, bad coolant, low coolant....etc.

[Ondercin]

It's not shutting down, after about 3 hours the temp is sitting around 160.. I have good water flow coming out the exhaust. I checked the impeller (twice) and it's perfect!
I am guessing the overtemp switch, but I haven't been able to test it yet... Perhaps on Saturday over a few beers!

[Viper]

I'll have to check specs but I don't think 160 is an issue. It's normal temp for closed cooling main engines, I just don't recall what the spec is for this generator. Pretty sure the over-temp switch doesn't activates at about 200. Again, I'll have to check. If you have the manual, it'll be in there.