Generac 27KW NG with Mitsubishi Engine, Anybody know this Animal?

Industrial Toys · Apr 6, 2016

A friend who is blessed with gas wells on his property, bought this Brand New Generac Genset. 1800 RPM, Mitsubishi, 4 cylinder, 16 valve, overhead cam engine.

It arrived, he popped open the carton and became livid, when he saw a rubber timing belt.

Now, typical of how the world is today, nobody at Generac, or Mitsubishi (so I am told) can tell him whether this is an interference engine or not.

The timing belt is apparently only good for four thousand hours and he already has about nine hundred. He doesn't want to change it without need and certainly not at 4000 hour intervals! He would much prefer to just wait for it to break.

Does anybody know the answer to this question?

Thanks

wrangler6831 · Apr 7, 2016

If its the same one used in their cars it is indeed an interference engine and also has balancer shaft belt that needs replaced at the same time.

dickfoster · Apr 11, 2016

Industrial Toys said:
A friend who is blessed with gas wells on his property, bought this Brand New Generac Genset. 1800 RPM, Mitsubishi, 4 cylinder, 16 valve, overhead cam engine.

It arrived, he popped open the carton and became livid, when he saw a rubber timing belt.

Now, typical of how the world is today, nobody at Generac, or Mitsubishi (so I am told) can tell him whether this is an interference engine or not.

The timing belt is apparently only good for four thousand hours and he already has about nine hundred. He doesn't want to change it without need and certainly not at 4000 hour intervals! He would much prefer to just wait for it to break.

Does anybody know the answer to this question?

Thanks

I thought all interference engines had timing chains but don't know this for sure. I know my Toyota 3.4L engine has a timing belt but I also know it's a non interference engine and I think Toyota uses chains on all interference types. You can probably find out on the web somewhere with more specifics on the engine such as displacement etc.

It's generally a good idea to know what you're buying before you buy it. Otherwise they call this buying a pig in a poke. Most folks are more forthcoming with information before they have your money in their hands. Don't take common sense for granted because these days common sense is uncommon.

hosspuller · Apr 11, 2016

dickfoster said:
I thought all interference engines had timing chains but don't know this for sure. .

Porsche 924, 944, 968 four cylinder engines ARE interference engines. It's a very expensive issue if one ignores the rubber timing belt change interval.

Sawyer Rob · Apr 11, 2016

IF he waits until the belt breaks, he will be buying a lot more than a belt!!

SR

techman · Apr 11, 2016

Have a co-worker that bought a 20KW Deutz powered generator from a local municipality. Low hours but are required a change of its rubber timing belt. A relatively easy job to change, but it shows that an industrial diesel engine from a manufacturer known for reliable, long life engines is using a toothed belt as well.

paul

dickfoster · Apr 11, 2016

hosspuller said:
Porsche 924, 944, 968 four cylinder engines ARE interference engines. It's a very expensive issue if one ignores the rubber timing belt change interval.

There's that common sense thing. So that's why I don't own a Porsche, so now I know.
I just got done replacing the belt in mine even if it is a non interference engine. With no timing belt it's not going anywhere fast so of course it would likely break at the most inopportune time, in the most remote and inaccessible place without cell service, when the weather is at it's worst and sometime between midnight and the wee hours.