Panda Generator Starter

Sep 14, 2019
4
Hunter 426 Fort Lauderdale
Hello. My Panda generator starter seems to have broken. It just makes high pitched whine and will not crank engine. Any advice? I had just changed fuel filter and it had run fine after that for about 12 hours on and off. But rpms fluctuated rapidly last time I used and I shut down immediately. Maybe something in shut down caused problem?
 
Mar 29, 2017
576
Hunter 30t 9805 littlecreek
The bendex or solenoid is not engaging tapping with a hammer while someone pushes start button will git it going one more time. Any starter alternator rebuilding shop can fix that for $50 if you take it off. Just remember disconnect batterys first
 
May 24, 2004
7,190
CC 30 South Florida
Whatfiero is correct, the drive gear of the starter is not properly engaging the ring gear of the engine. There is a large possibility that last time the engine started the drive gear may have jumped unto the ring gear or had a failure to disengage hence rapidly inhibiting RPM and bringing the engine to a stop. The gear may now be stuck not allowing the starter to turn over. This failure would be characterized by extreme heat build up in the starter. What possible causes, a loose or wobbly starter, worn or damaged gears on the drive or the ring, bent starter shaft or engine flywheel. Sometimes a simple occurrence like a backfire or the occurrence of having a worn tooth on the gear fall in precise spot may cause a one time problem. I would first pull out the starter and reposition back into the engine and give it a try. I had that happen to me once and after I freed the starter drive gear it worked fine and never did it again. make sure both the starter and the flywheel are tight. You can visually inspect the gears to look for any serious damage. If there is any misalignment of the gears adding some shims to the starter could be a solution.
 
Oct 1, 2007
1,865
Boston Whaler Super Sport Pt. Judith
It is a Kabota engine. Should be able to download the owner's manual and parts catalog.
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Are you sure the battery is fully charged and everything has good connection and check relay.
Nick
 
Sep 14, 2019
4
Hunter 426 Fort Lauderdale
Thanks all for the advice! It turns out it may not be starter. crankshaft will not rotate. Could be water backed up. Removed glow plugs but that did not work to remove water. Have mechanic coming tomorrow.
 

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,958
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Before you spend a lot of money getting that genset running, do yourself a favor and check out the threads on Panda Fishers on any or all of the sailing sites. They are terribly unreliable and a maintenance headache.
 
Mar 29, 2017
576
Hunter 30t 9805 littlecreek
Before you spend a lot of money getting that genset running, do yourself a favor

Sometimes we buy something that has 1 bad part thou all the rest is really good. My last boat had a volvo engine and I wanted to change it but couldn't justify I learned all I could and dealt with it even became a pretty good mechanic on it now I have yanmar and happy . So stay with your mechanic and learn what u can.
 

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,958
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
ONE BAD PART? Boy that's a good one. LOL
As an unlimited HP chief engineer (steam/diesel), not mechanic, engineer, with over 5 decades in the field, I doubt there are too many mechanics who's knowledge I would benefit from. But you go ahead. I was just trying to save you from the PF money pit.
Not just taking my word for it, I suggested you do some research BEFORE you dump any money into your PF. But hey, your boat, your money so pay what you must to learn what you can.
 
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Mar 29, 2017
576
Hunter 30t 9805 littlecreek
Hey. Ya know a generator doesn't have to be an important part of sailing if he's not depended on its operation like "If it starts we sleep in AC " I became a better sailor by having a Volvo learned to stick it in the slip. Because I took it out of my sailing equation

But yes I get what your saying dont spend a bunch off money on a turd. That's so true too.
 
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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Have had a 4200 FP in my boat when new in 2007 and have replaced 1 relay and us e it often maybe for not amount of hours but run it regularly which is what FP told me that I need to use it and not let it sit long periods of time without running it and mine starts and runs great love it
Nick