Kohler 5 E -marine Generator= Rubber Burning - Thoughts

[Al B]

I have a Kohler 5 E generator on my power cruiser .
Location makes it impossible too preform basic service. Entire generator is blocked by engine tucked under deck . A tech can not work on engine without removing manifolds & risers lot easier too remove boats engine .
Seldom use generator , only too fire up too keep parts moving and make coffee while at sea .
I had an issue occur recently and posting on this forum wondering if others experienced similar issue .
Was at marina boat in water . I was in cabin . Dockside not plugged in
Started generator too keep it moving . After a few minutes started too run ruff , sounding like gas filter ? . Better get into engine room too see what's going on . Boat is a power cruiser , engines & generator under heavy floor deck . I was thinking damn I have too move a lot of stuff and lift that heavy floor . Looking up from cabin I could believe what I was viewing
Black smoke coming from under deck and pouring out thru port openings along side gunnel .
WAS BOAT ON FIRE ?
Smoke was not oil dropping hitting a manifold it was a cloud of dark awful smelling cloud of smoke pouring up from engine room
This was during week, few boaters around , Cameras all around , was surprised nobody from marina came running.
Closed generator from cabin control . Killed batteries
Smoke was gone within in a few minutes, A burning smell lasted hour around the generator
Let it sit few weeks until my return too boat . I had another set of eyes with me .
I started generator , was told water was pumping out gunnel . Within a few moments I smelt that burning smell . Closed unit

Putting my thinking hat on ?? Rubber burning smell but engine not working long enough for any rubber that might be hitting lets say a muffler or manifold . A wire shorting would only burn off covering and not cause a cloud of smoke . Possibly in electrical box which I can get too but that's wiring and would not cause so much smoke

Thinking the worst , internal winding of the motor ??

I don't see any fan belts too be binding

Marina offers no service , any vendor servicing boats has too pay an entry fee of $ 100 bucks that the service company tacks on
I did contact local generator dealer ( Kohler & Onan ) for service, owner tells me he hates too go too my marina . He also stated he knows my boat
They can possibly work on generator but if can not be corrected easily engines must come out or partial engine take down .

I am listing boat soon too get a Hunter ( 38 ) too do cruising . but everything should be working on boat too get top dollar .
I caved on this boat . We are a older retired couple , wife has no sea legs but wanted too go boating with me . I always had other type of boats
She fell in love with fancy cabin . I hate this boat .
Another time for a different forum
Part of my reasoning is two fold , I just put 15 thousand into new long blocks , engines were out of boat , Spent enough and not pulling engine again too fix a generator that I never use .
A non working generator and my reasoning for not fixing could effect a sale
If I wanted too make a voyage with present boat makes more sense too purchase a Honda portable generator, plug dock side , let it sit on swim platform. No carbon too deal with .
If any other boaters have experienced what I am I would appreciate the info

THANKS

[Sailmonkey]

You’ve got a seized pully on something the fan belt rides over. Your black smoke is most likely belt.