Need generator starter , can't determine right one

[another Todd]

Kohler Confident 4 4KW RV genset 1996 era

Model 4CKM21
Spec. 101322
Serial 406790

Need starter motor due to starter drive not engaging. Could just be lubrication, or the drive, but I just want to replace it. Does anybody know the correct starter number, and are any of the cheap imports any good?

 

[Donald]

Starter rebuild shop. Most of the cheap imports are cheaply made. Get yours rebuilt, probably will be better than cheap import starters.

 

[another Todd]

It seems some people buying "genuine Kohler" starters on the internet (at triple the price of cheap) are getting shipped off branded cheap ones anyway. I guess I'll pull it out tomorrow and see if lubing it will help, as it is only an intermittent problem.

 

[NormanBuntz]

If the solenoid is the culprit, more lube probably won't work. Since you're in SoCal, hopefully you can find an old school starter rebuilder, no doubt a dying breed. Otherwise, I'd pay more for the genuine article from a Kohler generator dealer.

I wish I'd installed a Kohler instead of a Generac at my residence. 2006 Generac=Junk.

 

[eljefino]

So does it just spin? Does a solenoid pull the gear in or is it a "bendix" type thing where a drag clip hauls a gear down a spinny doohickey?

If the latter you can tighten the clip so it works closer to new.

 

[cronk]

I've cleaned and lubed a couple Kohler starter bendix with success.

Make sure you clean it well, then lube it.

 

[another Todd]

Sorry been gone for a while. To answer the questions,
No solenoid on the starter, so I assume the torque of the start up forces the bendix up the shaft, possibly with the mentioned drag clip and spinny doohickey

.

Sometimes it just spins without the bendix engaging the flywheel teeth. Other times it works just fine. I still have not pulled it out to check. Will get to it in the next few days. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: NormanBuntz
If the solenoid is the culprit, more lube probably won't work. Since you're in SoCal, hopefully you can find an old school starter rebuilder, no doubt a dying breed. Otherwise, I'd pay more for the genuine article from a Kohler generator dealer.

I wish I'd installed a Kohler instead of a Generac at my residence. 2006 Generac=Junk.


I think the name Generac does not necessarily mean quality. They have many lines. I think Kohler and even Winco are better than Generac's best line.

 

[RF Overlord]

Had a Generac 80 kW at one of the telecom huts I'm responsible for. Due to the volume and type of equipment inside, we need a significant amount of HVAC. Whenever there would be a commercial mains failure, the Generac would sag and droop and even occasionally stall when the HVAC kicked in. Replaced the Generac with a 100 kW CAT and it doesn't even bat an eyelash.