Why generators show "engine overheats": 247 documented causes and brand-specific fixes, compiled across 34 manufacturers.
Engine overloaded
7 brands- Generac: Reduce engine load.
- Ingersoll Rand: Reduce load
- Isuzu: Reduce engine load.
- John Deere: Reduce engine load.; Reduce load
- Katolight: Reduce engine load.
- Kohler: Reduce load
- Northern Lights: Reduce load.; Reduce the electrical load
Cooling system needs flushing
7 brands- Atlas Copco: Flush cooling system
- Generac: Flush coolant system.
- Ingersoll Rand: Flush cooling system
- Isuzu: Flush coolant system.
- John Deere: Flush cooling system; Flush cooling system.
- Kohler: Flush cooling system
- Northern Lights: Flush cooling system; Flush cooling system.
Improper lubrication
7 brands- Continental: See Low Oil Pressure.
- Cummins/Onan: Change to proper oil; Change to proper oil.
- Doosan: See Low Oil Pressure
- Ernest: See Low Oil Pressure
- Garretson: See Low Oil Pressure.
- Guan: See Low Oil Pressure
- NEC: See Low Oil Pressure.
Incorrect grade of fuel
6 brands- Atlas Copco: Use correct grade of fuel
- Generac: Drain fuel and replace with proper grade and quality of fuel for operating condition.
- Ingersoll Rand: Use correct grade of fuel
- Isuzu: Drain fuel and replace with proper grade, and quality of fuel for operating condition.
- John Deere: Use correct grade of fuel; Use correct grade of fuel.
- Northern Lights: Use correct grade of fuel.
Low coolant level
5 brands- Atlas Copco: Fill radiator to proper level, check radiator and hoses for loose connections or leaks
- Ingersoll Rand: Fill radiator to proper level, check radiator and hoses for loose connections or leaks
- John Deere: Fill radiator to proper level, check radiator and hoses for loose connections or leaks; Fill radiator to proper level, check radiator and hoses for loose connections or leaks.
- Mitsubishi: Add coolant
- Northern Lights: Fill tank or radiator to proper level, with proper mixture of coolant; Check hoses for loose connections and leaks.; Fill tank or radiator to proper level.; Check hoses for loose connections and leaks.
Defective thermostat
5 brands- Atlas Copco: Remove and check thermostat
- Ingersoll Rand: Remove and check thermostat
- John Deere: Remove and check thermostat; Remove and check thermostat.
- Kohler: Replace thermostat
- Northern Lights: Remove and check thermostat; Remove and check thermostat.
Faulty radiator cap
5 brands- Atlas Copco: Have service company check
- Generac: Replace radiator cap as required.
- Ingersoll Rand: Have serviceman check
- Isuzu: Replace radiator cap as required.
- John Deere: Have service company check; Have serviceman check
Poor ventilation
4 brands- Cummins/Onan: Provide ample ventilation at all times; Provide ample ventilation at all times.
- Ernest: Provide ample ventilation at all times
- Garretson: Provide ample ventilation at all times.
- NEC: Provide ample ventilation at all times.
Dirty or oily cooling surfaces
4 brands- Cummins/Onan: Keep the engine clean; Keep the engine clean.
- Ernest: Keep the engine clean
- Garretson: Keep the engine clean.
- NEC: Keep the engine clean.
Retarded ignition timing
4 brands- Cummins/Onan: Retime ignition; Retime ignition.
- Ernest: Retime ignition
- Garretson: Retime ignition.
- NEC: Retime ignition.
Generator overloaded
4 brands- Cummins/Onan: Reduce load; Reduce load.
- Ernest: Reduce load
- Garretson: Reduce load.
- NEC: Reduce load.
Low water in radiator
4 brands- Continental: Refill radiator.
- Cummins/Onan: Refill radiator; Refill radiator.
- Doosan: Refill radiator
- Guan: Refill radiator
Overloaded
4 brands- Continental: Remove part of load.
- Cummins/Onan: Remove part of load; Remove part of load.
- Doosan: Remove part of load
- Guan: Remove part of load
Radiator obstructed
4 brands- Continental: Clean radiator.
- Cummins/Onan: Clean radiator; Clean radiator.
- Doosan: Clean radiator
- Guan: Clean radiator
Ignition timing late
4 brands- Continental: Adjust ignition timing.
- Cummins/Onan: Adjust ignition timing; Adjust ignition timing.
- Doosan: Adjust ignition timing
- Guan: Adjust ignition timing