New to site, new to Onan (starting problem)

[bblough]

I have just come into possession of an Onan 6.0DKD genset. According to the hour meter it has 1700Hrs on it. The hour meter is still clicking along. It was used by a boat manufacturing business to test out boats going to Europe.

I believe I can change the frequency by adjusting the RPM from 1500 to 1800.

I am having trouble getting the engine started. I have cleaned the fuel system. No luck. I then removed the injectors and cranked the engine with the injectors hooked to the fuel lines outside of the head and looked for the spray pattern. All three injectors spray a fine mist.

I then reinserted the injectors into the head and bled the lines and tried to crank the engine. No luck.

As I was cranking the engine I looked at the fan blade and noticed that it was turning in a direction that would pull air from the engine and push the air through the radiator and out the front of the radiator.

About the only item I can see that is new on the engine is the starter. It says Bosch. I am wondering if it is possible that when the starter was replaced that it was replaced with a starter that turns in the wrong direction?

It seems to me that the fan ought to pull the air from the front of the radiator and discharge the air over the engine.

Does anybody out there know if I am on theright track, or do I need to check compression on the cylinders next?

Any help would be appreciated.

Bill

[B.Sparks]

Most stationary, radiator cooled gensets pull air over the engine and exhaust it out the front of the radiator. The genset is usually set up so as to blow air through the radiator and outside via a vent opening. There is often some form of ducting included that mounts on the front of the radiator to direct air outdoors. That way the generator room stays cooler.

You most likely have an issue with the engine. The trick is to find out if its a fuel problem or something else. You might want to give the engine a quick snort of starting fluid. (Disconnect the glow plugs first if the engine is so equippend.) Don't try to run it on starting fluid. Just use enough to see if the engine even tries to fire. Then check the compression. The engine can be "barely broken in" at 1700 hours or it may be worn out. A compression test will tell all.

There could also be an issue with the injector pump. The injectors may spray well but you don't know for sure if there is enough pressure to spray properly against compression. Someone may have removed the injector pump and reinstalled it incorrectly.

The new starter gives me a clue that the engine may have been getting harder to start.

[Gunny]

Yes, it can be sped up to 1800 rpm to get 60Hz. You may have to adjust the voltage regulator to get the voltage right.

No, they are supposed to blow through the radiator, not like a car so you can take the starter off of your list possible problems.

Is there a fuel shut off solenoid on or near the injection pump? Does it move to the full fuel position when the start cranks the engine?

Be real careful with ether. that stuff is real harsh.

Does it have glow plugs? Are they working? Those engines are very hard to start cold without glow plugs or heat. If you don't have or want to use ether, use an electric hair dryer and first heat the intake manifold and then blow hot air into the intake as you crank it.

WD 40 or the flammable electronic cleaner works well as an ether substitute.

Any exhuast smoke? None means no fuel. White smoke is unburned fuel not burning.

1700 hours? Barely broke in.

[K D Redd]

As I have said before on this forum, It amazies me how much you have to heat an Onan Diesel with the glow plugs for it to start. The Fire Dept I respond with has a pumper with a I think a 12 Kw Onan diesel built in. Even in the summer time when we respond to a call and need the generator you have to heat for some time with the glow plugs before the engine will start. The tempature the engine is at in the summer IF it was any of the farm equipment diesel I have been around you would NOT need ANY starting aid you would crank the engine and it would start. NOT this ONAN diesel. You need GOOD glow plugs even in the summer.

Kent

[bblough]

Thanks to the help of you 3 I was able to locate the problem. Just as you all said it had to be preheated. When I removed the cover of the junction box on the generator, the key switch had been changed. There was no power going to the glow plugs. I jumped the glow plug wire to the battery and let it heat for 30 seconds and the engine fired up within 20 seconds.

Next I need to reconnect the genset for 3 wire 120/240 and move the taps on the transformer to correct the voltage.

I really appreciate the help I rec'd. here. The safety system and the fuel solenoid are not connected. The pushbutton on the front of the control panel is bypassed and the solenoid linkage is disconnected. I will need to get that working too.

My next step will be to get a parts manual and a service manual.

I am sure I will have a few more questions before this is over, thanks again for the sharing of your knowledge.

Bill

[Gunny]

Bill:
You are welcome.

Glad we could help.

Post the whole model/spec/serial number and someone will be able to help with manuals.

Those are some very well made machines that were built to last a real long time. Just ran my 10DKD for its monthly run this morning.