onan generator not starting after winter?

[35viking]

hey guys we just started to get the boat ready for the spring and summer again wooo!! Everything was going good until we got to the generator. We tried starting and it wouldnt go. First time we pushed the start button it went to start then died. From there on the started would just keep going trying to start it. What could this be after not runnig the whole winter and running perfect last year?

[Ed k]

gas or diesel? If it is gas I will say its ethonal fuel, it got ours last year. It tried to run for a few seconds and then it would do nothing but turn over, the carb was shot.

[blackwell50]

make sure your lift pump is coming on when hit the preheat switch.If it is working crack the injector lines and bleed it till you have fuel squirting out of the lines.

[Docked Wages]

Check your fault switches. Mine went up and the switch appeared fine.

Note that it is a very cheap part, I had troubleshot the unit before a big trip and dropped it off incase it turned out to be something more involved. Unfortunately for my wallet, the mechanic went about diagnosing it "his way" and cost me an extra grand in the process. He could've fixed it in less than 5 minutes if he followed my written instructions of where I wanted him to start...

Conveniently, the marina manager was nowhere to be found when it was time to discuss my sky-high invoice and it was pay the bill or don't go on vacation with your boat. Had me by the shorties.

[JD5652]

. First time we pushed the start button it went to start then died. From there on the started would just keep going trying to start it. What could this be after not runnig the whole winter and running perfect last year?

(1) Check to ensure fuel line isolation valve is open....may have isolated for winter...

(2) Check fuel filter for contamination (Water, etc.)

(3) Check raw water intake thru-hull valve....some generators have a flow switch permissive...if it doesn't detect flow, then it will shut down......again...may have isolated for winter...

These are all simple items, but if things were operating OK when the boat was winterized and now they are not, then most of the time it's something simple that was done during the winterization process.

[seapower]

If you're still having an issue, shoot me a PM. I'd be glad to walk you through some "trouble shooting", to get her back up and running. Frank

[Big Jay]

make sure your lift pump is coming on when hit the preheat switch.If it is working crack the injector lines and bleed it till you have fuel squirting out of the lines.

Lift pump is a common cause if it's diesel. Also look for a a faulty fuel shut off solenoid. Sometimes they go and will block the fuel as if it's in a "shut off" position.

[wissahickon]

If Diesel? Once you have eliminated any safeties. Bleed your injection system to ensure there is no air in the system. This has been the case on many diesel engines I have attempted to start after layup.

[35viking]

thanks guys got it started !! it was a fuel issue. it lost all fuel pressure in the lines has to reprime everything. Once primed it started right up !!