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Waukesha L-1616-GSI Engine

The Waukesha L-1616-GSI is a 25.97 L 12-cylinder engine rated at 1800 rpm, producing up to 493.12 kW. It powers generator sets from Cummins/Onan, including the WF series.

Also known as: Waukesha L-1616-GSI

Part of the Waukesha L1616 engine family — 4 variants share parts & fitment.

25.97 L
Displacement
12
Cylinders
1800 rpm
Rated speed
493 kW
Gross power
On this pageSpecsGenerator setsMaintenanceFAQ

Engine specifications

Displacement25.97 L
Cylinders12
Rated speed1800 rpm
Gross power493 kW

Generator sets powered by this engine

1
Cummins/Onan WF series

Common problems

11
  • Overspeed lamp lights - no fault condition exists.
    Fix: Replace overspeed circuit board.
  • Overcrank fault lamp lights and engine stops cranking after approximately 75 seconds.
    Fix: See engine service manual for troubleshooting fuel system, ignition system, etc. After correcting problem, reset the engine monitor by moving run-stop-remote switch to stop position, and depressing reset switch. PENN STATE. Move and hold run-stop-remote switch to OFF. Press reset, release and move switch to ON.
  • Overcrank fault lamp lights after engine has run for approximately 75 seconds.
    Fix: Replace start-disconnect circuit board.
  • Low oil pressure lamp lights after engine is running.
    Fix: Check: a. Oil level - engine will shut down after approximately 12-1/2 seconds if oil pressure is low.
  • Low oil pressure fault lamp lights - no fault condition exists.
    Fix: Be certain that no fault condition exists. Disconnect lead 30 from T B l l inside control box (refer to wiring diagram). If low oil pressure lamp still lights, remove and replace engine monitor plug-in printed circuit board.
  • High engine temperature lamp lights as soon as engine starts.
    Fix: Check for defective sensor or actual high temperature condition.
  • High engine temperature lamp lights after engine is running.
    Fix: Check for: a. Defective thermostat/thermostats. b. Low coolant level. c. Defective high engine temperature sensor.
  • Fault lamp lights immediately after engine starts.
    Fix: Check for: a. overspeed condition as engine starts. b. high temperature condition. c. faulty high engine temperature sensor or overspeed switch. d. faulty starter disconnect.
  • Fault lamp lights and engine stops cranking after approximately 75 seconds.
    Fix: See engine service manual for troubleshooting fuel system, ignition system, etc. After correcting problem, reset the engine monitor by holding run-stop-remote switch in stop position, and depressing reset switch. Release and return to run position.
  • Fault lamp lights afterengine is running.
    Fix: Check the following: a. Oil level-engine will shut down after approximately 12-1/2 seconds if low oil pressure sensor does not open. b. Oil pressure sensor may be defective. c. High engine temperature - caused by low coolant level, faulty thermostat, etc. d. Faulty high engine temperature sensor. e. Faulty starter disconnect.
  • Fault lamp lights - no fault condition exists.
    Fix: Be certain that no fault condition exists. Disconnect lead 30 and 31 from T B l l inside control box (refer to wiring diagram). If fault lamp still lights with leads disconnected, remove and replace engine monitor plug-in printed circuit board.

Compiled from service & troubleshooting documentation across every generator set that uses the Waukesha L-1616-GSI.

Maintenance schedule

ItemSpecCapacityPart #Interval
Air filterOnan OE 987-061987-061125 hr Amazon eBay $13.99
Fuel filterOnan OE 987-043987-043125 hr Amazon eBay $13.99
Oil filter987-0601000 hr Amazon eBay $13.99
Battery—
BeltTiming belt987-1254000 hr Amazon eBay $105.00
CoolantGlycol-based coolant with rust inhibitor60.0 L—3000 hr
OilSAE 30 or SAE 4021.0 L—500 hr
Spark plug—1000 hr

Pooled from every document that names this exact engine — confirm the interval and part number against your unit's serial number.

Parts cataloged across the Waukesha L1616 family

109
Part #DescriptionCategory
302A61Ammeter, ChargeAmmeter
302P640Ammeter, AC (Check Ammeter Scale - Select According to Rating)Ammeter
302P641Ammeter, AC (Check Ammeter Scale - Select According to Rating)Ammeter
302P642Ammeter, AC (Check Ammeter Scale - Select According to Rating)Ammeter
A9562-12 VOLT BATTERIESBattery
332A795Ammeter, Charge (30-0-30)Block
332AI006Block, TerminalBlock
332AI009Block, TerminalBlock
301D2903Box, ControlBox
130-0465BraceBrace
130-0466BraceBrace
301A2393Bracket, Relay MountingBracket
322P69Bracket, Mounting - EngineBracket
110-1168Bracket & Nipple AssemblyBracket nipple
505-0270Bushing, Reducer (2 x 1-1/4")Bushing reducer
503-0059ClampClamp
330A5Cover - BOICover
505-0453Elbow (90° )Elbow 90
130-0740Flange AssemblyFlange assembly
232AI490Engine OilFluid
301C2906Frame. Control Panel MountingFrame
232AI817Onan OE FilterFuel filter
A955Fill pipe for underground fuel tankFuel tank
193B112Gauge, Water TemperatureGauge
193B194Gauge, Oil PressureGauge
502-0391Adapter, HoseHose
503-0359Hose (1-5/8" I.D. x 3 ' )'Hose
503-0512Hose (2-7/8" I.D. x 18" )Hose
322P74Knob, RheostatKnob
322-17Bulb, (2) Panel ( I ) PilotLamp
322-81Lamp, PanelLamp
309-0243Valve, Control - Temperature RegulatingMarsh valve
302B213Meter, Frequency (60 Hertz)Meter
302B234Meter, Frequency (50 Hertz)Meter
302P465RESISTOR-STABILIZINGMeter
302P466For 220/380-V, 3-Ph, 60-Cycle (Model H)Meter
302P468For 120/208-V,120/240-V, & 347/600-V 3PH. 50 Cy!. (825-Ohm, 75-Watt)Meter
302P469For 220/380-V, 3Ph. 50-CycleMeter
302P470For 277/480-V, 3-Ph, 50-Cyclo (5-P!)Meter
402A70Mount, Rubber - Control Box.FrameMount
505-0328Nipple ( 3 x 6 " )Nipple
505-0604Nipple (3 x 9-3/4" )Nipple
505-0615Nipple (3 x 24" )Nipple
505-0437Nipple, Half (1-1/4 x 4")Nipple half
130-0687StandpipeService part / kit
232A90Shim (0.020 inch thick, 2 x 3 gauge metal)Service part / kit
232AI489Laminated ShimService part / kit
301A1914Bracket, Panel StopService part / kit
302A6ISwitch, Panel LightService part / kit
302P422Scale Reads 0-600Service part / kit
302P467For 277/480 Volt,3 Phase, 60 Cycle Plants.Service part / kit
304A262RESISTOR. FIXED 50-Ohm, 10 WattService part / kit
304A446RESISTOR. FIXED 150-Ohm, 10 WanService part / kit
307-0839Valve, SolenoidService part / kit
307-0844Valve, SolenoidService part / kit
307A655Relay, Emergency LatchService part / kit
307A899Relay, Oil PressureService part / kit
307P778Spring, Relay Hold-downService part / kit
308-2Switch, Panel LightService part / kit
308PI38Strip, Blk. Marker (55 through 62)Service part / kit
30IAI685Block, Terminal (8-Place)Service part / kit
30ID2I24Cover, Output Terminal BoxService part / kit
320AI04Limiter, CrankingService part / kit
323-52SocketService part / kit
332AI005Block, Terminal (20-Place)Service part / kit
501-0186Line, FlexibleService part / kit
501-0187Line, FlexibleService part / kit
504-0003Cock, Drain (1/4 NPT)Service part / kit
504-0062Valve, ReliefService part / kit
505-0004Nipple, Pipe (1.0 x 1.50)Service part / kit
505-0041Elbow, Pipe ( 1 " x 90°)Service part / kit
505-0088Nipple, Pipe (1 x 4-1/2")Service part / kit
505-0178-Nipple; HalfService part / kit
505-0258Nipple (1-1/4 x 3")Service part / kit
505-0394Bushing, Reducer (2 x 1")Service part / kit
505-0669TeeService part / kit
505-0679Nipple (3 x 12" )Service part / kit
800-0091Part 800-0091Service part / kit
850-0040Washer, Lock - Spring (1/4")Service part / kit
850-0060Screw, Cap - Hex Head (5/16-18 X 7-1/2" )Service part / kit
862-0001Nut, Hex (1/4-20)Service part / kit
862-0005Nut (1/2-13)Service part / kit
I93BI94Gauge, Oil PressureService part / kit
TB12terminal block for remote connections and common alarm (inside control)Service part / kit
TB21TERMINAL BLOCKService part / kit
301C2908Panel. ControlPanel
301C2915Panel, ControlPanel
304A305Panel Only, Lower Cont.Panel
301A2905Plate. Control Box - SidePlate
301B2904Plate. Control Box - TopPlate
308-3Plate, On-Off SwitchPlate
322-73Receptacle, Panel LampReceptacle
322P73Receptacle, Panel LampReceptacle
307P820Relay, Adjustabe Start Disconnect & Crankshaft LimiterRelay
320B259Relay, CrankingRelay
304A66Resistor, 4xELIResistor
322-65Resistor. Adjustable - 45,000 Ohm, lOWatt (277/480 V o l t )Resistor
308-13Rheostat, Voltage AdjustmentRheostat
337-44Strap, GroundStrap
332AI134Strip,. Terminal Block MarkerStrip
308P138Switch, Run-Stop-RemoteSwitch
308P139Switch, Voltage & Current SelectorSwitch
309P253THEHCOSTATThehcostat
333PI3BTheHCostatThehcostat
302B645Transformer, Current (Check Transformer Nameplate - Select According to Rating)Transformer
302P643Transformer, Current (Check Transformer Nameplate - Select According to Rating)Transformer
302P644Transformer, Current (Check Transformer Nameplate - Select According to Rating)Transformer
315B292Transformer, Potential (120/208 V o l t Plants)Transformer
302P421Scale Reads 0-300Voltmeter

Parts cataloged across all variants of this engine family — verify the exact part fits your specific variant and serial number before ordering.

Common questions

What is the displacement of the Waukesha L-1616-GSI?

The Waukesha L-1616-GSI has a displacement of 25.97 liters with 12 cylinders.

Which generators use the Waukesha L-1616-GSI engine?

The Waukesha L-1616-GSI powers 1 generator set(s), including Cummins/Onan WF series.

How often should you change the oil in the Waukesha L-1616-GSI?

The Waukesha L-1616-GSI oil change interval is every 500 hours.

What is a common problem with the Waukesha L-1616-GSI engine?

A commonly reported issue on generators using the Waukesha L-1616-GSI is: Overspeed lamp lights - no fault condition exists.. Fix: Replace overspeed circuit board..