White/grey smoke from Onan 20kw genset after 4 months disuse.

[Westfield 11]

After a four month pause our 20kw spewed white smoke on startup this morning. It ran fine the last time we used it and since then I’ve changed the oil and filter, changed the engine mounted fuel filter and the racor. It smells like unburned fuel and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to either fix or troubleshoot it myself before calling for help.

We are anchored off Key Biscayne on our way to Bimini before our Covid tests expire on Thursday. Any suggestions of a place to call or go for service in Miami? We also could use a recommendation for a marina in Miami as well unless I can fix this myself. We have a smaller generator onboard, but I don’t want to go to the Berrys with only the smaller one operational.

 

[Pascal]

Alex Precision Generator (786) 251-2800

He s worked on the 27.5 Ohnos we have on a the 84 I run. Good guy.

Dinner Key in the grove is your best bet. Still being rebuild so I m not sure thee take transients. Try calling them... if they say they don’t have room tell them I told you that I m not coming back with La Balsita till Sunday (pier 4 Tee head). But being a city marina they re a bit narrow minded.

Otherwise try Prime Marina or Grove Harbor. If not the Miami Beach marina but $ and lousy traffic

 

[Pascal]

Did the smoke remain after it warmed up? How did it run? Any sheen on the water ? White is usually steam but unlikely to be hot right away. Grey could be unburned fuel but there woudl usually be a sheen on the water

 

[Westfield 11]

I didn’t let it warm up in case that would do greater harm. It was before dawn this morning so I couldn’t see if there was a sheen. I tested it again after we anchored off of Hurricane Hole, but it was too choppy to see if there was a sheen, I’ll try tomorrow morning when it’s calmer. I did notice that the exhaust water was very dirty, more than I’ve ever noticed before. It had sort of a reddish brown tint to it.

Thanks for the marina suggestions! I’ll call Alex first thing tomorrow morning.

 

[Westfield 11]

Alex is booked up until next Tuesday, any other suggestions for a tech?

 

[Captain Ralph]

The white , eye burning smoke is un-burned fuel from low compression.
Valves and rings are my first suspects. Second guess could be a cracked injector base.
Pull the valve cover and check clearances, looking for an obvious stuck valve.

Red-Neck fix next step; Half fill the secondary fuel filter with Mystery Oil and let it run for 30 minutes.
This will help free up sticking valves and rings. Watch the injectors for smoke from them.
Your going to make a lot of exhaust smoke so do this down wind from the docks or friendly anchorage.

 

[Pascal]

He s the only one I ve used. Lmk text a couple of guys at the marina to see who they use.

 

[Pascal]

Neighbor has left a message for his guy. Will let you know.

 

[SeaEric]

Put it under load. If the smoke is still there with it under load then look further.

 

[dottieshusband]

Put it under load. If the smoke is still there with it under load then look further.

What he said... load it up like a rented mule and run it for awhile.

 

[Dan Mapes]

I had an 8KW that would skip and miss a bit after a lay up. Once I ran it a while under load it smoothed right up.

 

[Pascal]

If you still need help, try Paco Generators (786) 287-4861. Never used him but recommended by a dock neighbor

 

[Westfield 11]

I tried running it under a load and the smoke cleared up for a while (5 mins) and then the unit bogged down and died filling the generator room with oily smoke. So, we have shelved plans for the Bahamas and now will leave for Jax and our go-to service shop: Lamb’s Yacht Center. We will stop for two nights at Halifax Harbor in Daytona to visit a friend along the way. We have a couple of minor issues with a 32v Sentry charger and a dead VIP exhaust fan (it’s behind the washer/dryer!) so we will get those sorted too and then head north for the Chesapeake. Next Spring we will try the Bahamas again!

 

[Captain Ralph]

Lambs?
You must like the abuse.
Call Noah. https://all-powerpro.com
He can meet you before you turn to the dark side.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I tried running it under a load and the smoke cleared up for a while (5 mins) and then the unit bogged down and died filling the generator room with oily smoke. So, we have shelved plans for the Bahamas and now will leave for Jax and our go-to service shop: Lamb’s Yacht Center. We will stop for two nights at Halifax Harbor in Daytona to visit a friend along the way. We have a couple of minor issues with a 32v Sentry charger and a dead VIP exhaust fan (it’s behind the washer/dryer!) so we will get those sorted too and then head north for the Chesapeake. Next Spring we will try the Bahamas again!

Let me know when you are in the area and I'll take you all to dinner courtesy of the HOF. You can even bring Randy if you see him hitchhiking.

 

[Westfield 11]

We would like that. We plan on stopping in Annapolis to eat at one of our favorite places: El Cabrito. Isn’t that where you are?

 

[jim rosenthal]

Yes, I'm in Annapolis. I don't know that place but I'm happy to come down to the dock and pick y'all up, my treat out of my huge entertainment allowance as moderator LOL