Generac 48kw generator: DOA, Generac unable to repair/not helpful

[Diggin It]

Driver quoted me $1.13/gal when he was here yesterday looking things over. I was quoted around a dollar a couple of months ago when I asked, don't remember the exact amount. A few years back I was paying somewhere between two and two fifty. Summer prices are usually much lower than January/February.

 

[dodge man]

Diesel trucks will wet stack also, usually in the winter when idling. The 2004 Dodge I used to own with a Cummins would high idle automatically after a while if it was cold out.

I think Ponytugs description above on wetstacking is correct on how to identify but the main damage is oil washed off the cylinder walls and oil dilution and on emissions diesels damage to the DPF.

I have read where people with an off the grid system will have fairly low power generators, less than 10hp, but they also have a battery system to take up the slack.

Sorry to get off topic, hope the OP is able to get the install guy back. I assume either the new engines are fuel injected or the carb is computer controlled so a jet change is not needed?

 

[grsthegreat]

Doing some further research, it seams Generac designed a new engine specifically for the 48kw that uses 25% less fuel than before. Not sure if its fuel injected or what. Heres the blurb

Generac Designed & Built Engine Purpose-built exclusively for generators, in Wisconsin, USA*. Utilizes the first in class, dual-valve ultra-low pressure fuel delivery system and intelligent proprietary engine controls that manage over 100 performance functions to ensure peak efficiency in all temperature ranges and elevations. The engine consumes 25% less fuel than previous engines, is capable of operating at the lowest fuel pressure in the industry at 3.5” of water column while still providing excellent motor starting capability. *Assembled in the USA using domestic and foreign parts.

 

[Sigarms]

Generac Designed & Built Engine Purpose-built exclusively for generators, in Wisconsin, USA*. Utilizes the first in class, dual-valve ultra-low pressure fuel delivery system and intelligent proprietary engine controls that manage over 100 performance functions to ensure peak efficiency in all temperature ranges and elevations..

Key word being "proprietary". Great marketing lingo, what it means if their "proprietary" engine controls fail and it's out of warranty, expect to be bent over:thumbsup:

If you've taken the service class by Generac, I would think you wouldn't need to search for anything online and that they would send you and updated technical infomation.

Considering what you pay for the actual training class along with the required parts list to have in stock required by Generac, I would expect more from the manufacturer, particularly when you call in.

That said, I'm jaded by them, my bad,

 

[grsthegreat]

Well fair enough, but as i have stated before, but maybe not on this thread, im air cooled certified, not liquid cooled. I do basic service on liquid cooled, and i have installed them in the past, but i dont do detailed service work on them. Main reason...it costs me enough $$$ to keep up the air cooled certification and parts storage. I did not feel the money it would cost to obtain liquid and diesel certification would be worth it. I have multiple $1,000 of parts in stock to service air cooled, and an entire stocked service truck than i use to repair and service the air cooled units. When i call into Generac tech services, believe me when i tell you i get a totally different level of tech support than a Non certified tech would Receive. There usually spot on in assisting me with repair. I also have never had Generac refuse a warranty repair in all the years i have been with them. They have backed their product to the point of sending me a new engine to replace one that was losing oil and i could not find source. They paid for engine and my time to swap it out. I have been able to locate parts for 25 year old generators thru their parts department.

 

[Sigarms]

Well fair enough, but as i have stated before, but maybe not on this thread, im air cooled certified, not liquid cooled. I do basic service on liquid cooled, and i have installed them in the past, but i dont do detailed service work on them. Main reason...it costs me enough $$$ to keep up the air cooled certification and parts storage. I did not feel the money it would cost to obtain liquid and diesel certification would be worth it. I have multiple $1,000 of parts in stock to service air cooled, and an entire stocked service truck than i use to repair and service the air cooled units. When i call into Generac tech services, believe me when i tell you i get a totally different level of tech support than a Non certified tech would Receive. There usually spot on in assisting me with repair. I also have never had Generac refuse a warranty repair in all the years i have been with them. They have backed their product to the point of sending me a new engine to replace one that was losing oil and i could not find source. They paid for engine and my time to swap it out. I have been able to locate parts for 25 year old generators thru their parts department.

Bottom line, different area, different representation. Seems like you have good representation in that area.

My bread and butter is HVAC, and after working different areas of the country in my past, it ALWAYS comes down to people you deal with who you can look in the eyes. The parts requirements for generac were over 1k in my area which was paid in full. Parts are non returnable.

Bottom line, pay a guy who is licnesed and insured, if there are any problems, go back to the guy who installed it because you paid him to do it right the first time.

 

[grsthegreat]

Bottom line, different area, different representation.

My bread and butter is HVAC, and after working different areas of the country, it ALWAYS comes down to people you deal with who you can look in the eyes.

im not really sure what you mean

 

[Sigarms]

im not really sure what you mean

Been around enough in different geographical locations to understand that different areas mean different people to deal with. I've had a couple of phone calls into Generac. Swore I'd never deal with them again. You're milage however may vary. Perhaps bad info on my end from the person I dealt with from Generac.

I can be in area "A", and product "A1" can be great, go to a different area, and the same product ("A1") can be a curse word.

Per this thread, it seems like it could be an installation error. Why? Particularly with the training required by Generac.

There are so many numnuts installing HVAC IMO, perhaps wrong on my part, but you can have as many numnuts installing generators.

 

[grsthegreat]

Agree there. Anyone can install generators...as well as ac units here. You have to be licensed electrician to hook up electrical end, and licensed gas guy to hook up the fuel side. There is no training required to install the units, but generac does offer it at a cost. In order to get free warranty work done, it HAS to be thru certified Generac repair facility. I have had to repair my fair share of crappy installs over the years...let me tell you. Its amazing how bad some of these installs are. Some really stupid ones like an idiot installer that had a 2# natural gas meters hooked into an 11kw unit and the installer bitching to Generac cause the stupid generator wont run. Or better yet, one num nuts installed unit backwards so opening end was 18” from house because it was easier to hook up elect and gas from front. Just try to service a unit thats 18” from a solid wall.

If it can possibly be done wrong, sooner or later i get a call to try and fix it. One of the main reasons i retired earlier than i planned on. I had enough.

 

[dodge man]

In the case of the OP’s neighbors, it uses very little fuel since it doesn’t work. You would think if it will work with very little fuel pressure the wrong piping wouldn’t affect it.

I had a car with a feedback carb that adjusted the mixture automatically so it doesn’t have to be fuel injected.