Westerbeke 3.0kW help

[Benmcknight92]

I have a 89 Mariner 28’ my generator quits when put under load. Any ideas on repairing or just buy new generator?

[Viper]

Welcome aboard.

The model number would help. Do you know how many hours are on her? Is this a new vessel to you? Has she run well in the past? Does she get used on a regular basis? How does she run right before she quits? After she quits, can you fire her up again right away if you shut off all the loads? When was the last time she was serviced/tuned, filters changed, etc?

[Keith S]

Always post the model number to get relevant advice. Since Westerbeke made very few 3.0kW, I would guess it is a 3.0BPMG. It was not my favorite, but it fit a specific niche, it was small enough to fit where nothing else would. The early raw water cooled carburated models were maintenance nightmares. The spark plugs can only be changed by removing the exhaust elbow/cat-converter so rarely get serviced. The carb was easily plugged with the tiniest amount of dirt, and is a bear to get off and on. It has an outboard style diaphragm fuel pump that was weak at best. Catalytic converters are not great with carb engines, they get plugged from rich running. It has a belt drive generator with pulleys and belts on the bottom where they get all rusted. It is easiest to just remove it from the boat to work on since they are small and light. Most of the issues were addressed with the later models where EFI and fresh water cooling were made standard. A new one is $11K so fixing what you have and then regularly servicing it is probably the way to go.

[RGrew176]

Qr Bbpost I have a 89 Mariner 28’ my generator quits when put under load. Any ideas on repairing or just buy new generator?

There are a lot of very knowledgeable people here in this forum. We are lucky to have them.