Author Topic: Starting LT3 after sitting 14 months  (Read 771 times)

chlamy

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Starting LT3 after sitting 14 months
« on: October 03, 2022, 01:06:23 PM »
Hello,

My camp in the Louisiana marsh got hit hard by Hurricane Ida last year. I lost my generator shed, but generator was still intact. I haven’t started it since.  What is the best procedure to follow before attempting to crank it?

Thanks a million,

Steve

sirpedrosa

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Starting LT3 after sitting 14 months - DONT PANIC
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2022, 01:47:16 PM »
Steve,

1st - drain sump of any oil (just in case water got inside);
2nd - new oil filter;
3rd - clean fuel tank, and fuel filter (just in case some water got inside);

Further maintainance depends on model of engine.

Dont forget to clean also alternator and switch board.

A good clean is halfway to thing go again.

Cheers
VP
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ajaffa1

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Re: Starting LT3 after sitting 14 months
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2022, 10:35:21 PM »
+1 everything VP wrote. After the floods in Australia I repaired dozens of engine that had been under water, some of them had been stopped with one or more valves open, water and even sand and gravel had washed into the cylinders. Any attempt to start these would have caused terrible damage. Please check before trying to turn over the engine, if in doubt take the cylinder heads off and clean out the crap. Time consuming, but cheaper than an engine rebuild.

Bob

cobbadog

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Re: Starting LT3 after sitting 14 months
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2022, 04:18:47 AM »
Can't argue with any of the suggestions made. You will or should know if your engine did go under water or not so take the appropriate action as required. Also check and clean/replace air filter too.
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chlamy

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Re: Starting LT3 after sitting 14 months
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2022, 10:02:31 PM »
Generator did not flood. Just sustained wind driven rain at 130 mph gusting over 150 mph!

cobbadog

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Re: Starting LT3 after sitting 14 months
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2022, 05:44:25 AM »
It might be worthwhile then removing any covers from the generator and use compressed air to blow anything out that might have found its way inside. A small amount of work just to make sure.
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