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Please don't kick me off, Deutz/GMI Generator - Smokstak

01, Sep. 2025

Please don't kick me off, Deutz/GMI Generator - Smokstak

OK, the guy who I bought the 30EC from called this weekend, he cleans out property lots that have been taken back by the bank (in the boonies no less)
He says he has this generator with a DEUTZ F4L912 4 cylinder diesel engine powering this set. On the mounting framework it says GMI, looking quickly I could not read the tag on the generator frame. The engine is rated at 58 HP and 43KW. exh. has been open to the elements and air filter is off. I put a socket on the crankshaft and turned it slightly back and forth. It turned fairly easily. The guiy said $250.00 and he will put it on his trailer and haul it to my place for gas money.
I am thinking it is worth the money to get it home. It's a clean and 98% all there set. I think I saw on one of the tags. Complete pushbutton electronic control panel. No battery to try and power it up though.

Thoughts???? Re: Please don't kick me off, Deutz/GMI generator

Wow.. for 250 I would of turned Into the hulk and loaded it myself then and there! Great engines!

I have worked on tons of them.. mostly just serviced them.. but did a full rebuild on one with hours that was attached to a twin screw air compressor.. it ran just fine.. but smoked a bit.. and the company got a ticket from epa while on a job at a hospital.. instead of replacing it they wanted it rebuilt..

Just needed rings and one rod bearing had a few scores in it so we replaced them all.. all OEM parts under with a full gasket set, new oil pump as well.. still had good cross hatches in the bore and was well in spec..

Cylinder head went to get checked and came back needing no new parts.. that should tell you something.. keep in mind thow it was maintained by my friend that I helped rebuild it with since new every 200 to 250 hours.. went through 3 screw compressors tho.. ingersoll rand if I remember right.. ? Or so.

Bleeding the fuel system can be tricky.. but once you learn it no problems Re: Please don't kick me off, Deutz/GMI generator

The 912 is perhaps the most rugged air cooled diesel engine that Deutz ever built. 50+ years of production on that model is a testament to their reliability. I would have been all over that generator at $250, even $ if it were complete or close to it. They are a fine engine and usually coupled to a top tier generator head.

Chris

... I am thinking it is worth the money to get it home. It's a clean and 98% all there set... Thoughts????

1. I hate you... you seem to get all the good stuff.

2. That may be the best $250 you have spent in some time.

---------- Post added at 06:12:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:04:38 AM ----------

...a story of one on a soil screener....cranking it over on the crank bolt just to see if it was free. It started.

BTDT....except substitute "water pump" for "soil screener". I have since learned that you should not turn a Deutz over unless you are either prepared for it to run or very sure that it will not. Deutz is at least as good as Onan, simple engine to work on, all separate cylinder heads.
The only spare you need to have on stock is the V belt for the cooling fan, when it breaks the engine shuts down. (mechanical)
Have a 3 cylinder F3L might even be a 6 in a hydrolic crane, it leaks and smokes a little, push the starter no matter summer or winter and it goes. The 912 is a good precup diesel low smoke and smooth running.
I would buy it.

We use a lot of them in mining because of the low emissions.

They are a little hard to start in the cold ( not a problem for you I imagine )
Tend to be a bit messy with oil leaks around the pushrod tubes and such.

There is a nice aftermarket clock work starter kit for them, you just charge up the spring with a priming handle and hit the release button and the things fire right up without electricity.

if I do see problems it comes from people not understanding these engines need a load on them.
Fresh rebuilds glaze over easy if you just let them idle and them for the rest of their unnatural service lives they smoke and give you trouble.

Parts are extremly cheap.
KOEL sells a clone version called the HA series ( used to be the Asian licence copy until the agreement expired and they carried on cloning ).
As I recall a MICO brand injector is about 40 dollars new for it ( this is Robert Bosche in Asia swap the first digit from a 9 to a zero for compatible parts number interchange )

Deutz Generator - Forum - Historic Commercial Vehicle Club

# by Bitsa Deutz Generator was created by Bitsa G'day All
I was given an old Deutz Genny with an A2L - 514 2Cyl Deutz.
Is there a Starting procedure to be folllowed for these, as i cannot find a De-Compresion Lever anywhere and it feels like there is very little compresion to begin with.I can wind it over quite easily on the crank handle.
Can someone with a bit more grey matter on the subject please explain it to me.

I am trying to decide if it is worth repairing or to give it a ticket on the slow boat to China. Even though it was given to me , it still cost about $450 to get it home.

Any help Greatly appreciated

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