Winter project questions

[Carverlvr2]

Here’s my thought process…please stay with me, I promise I get to the point and subsequent questions. This past season we had a lot of life changing and demanding situations that kept us from using and even maintaining the boat. One item I did start work on at the end of the season was the Kohler 7.3e gen. After adjusting the auto choke and putting in fresh plugs, I got the crank time down under 5sec. Was closer to 30sec previously. But then I noticed it did not want to restart and it would run fine with the sound shield off but would shut down shortly after closing the front access door, presumably overheating? Never got a chance to look further. Now it’s winterized and I have a chance to get out there and pull a few bits to work on at home. Here’s my thoughts:
1. pull the carb and rebuild at home with a new kit and new electric choke.
2. Also pull the heat exchanger and thermostat to clean and check at home and reinstall at a later/warmer date.
Any issues with leaving the carb and heat exchanger off the genny for weeks/months? Anything else I should pull or look for? I have already ordered the carb kit, electric choke, thermostat and O rings for the exchanger. Anything I’m missing?

[bud37]

The carb is easy/simple on that gen, no real parts to replace, just take apart and clean the idle jet/emulsion tube that pulls fuel from the bowl. Likely plugged restricted idle air jet. I honestly don't think you need a kit, but no loss if ya have one now. Don't mess with the float.
That could be the reason it quits also the intake air may be getting restricted . Check the air filter for that as well. Just wash the foam. Give that a try first.
Just tape up the openings to keep things out, no real reason to worry.

[Rocketman]

When was the last time you changed water pump?
I would recommend at least pull the cover and verify the pump is good with no vanes broken/cracked.
Also verify you have cleaned the strainer at the water intake.

[Carverlvr2]

Bud37, thanks for the confirmation on the carb cleaning and I’ll look for that foam filter.
Rocketman, yes, I had just done the impeller and cleaned the screen along with an oil change and fuel filter and anode when I did the plugs and adjusted the choke. It has the water lift muffler that exits the water below the hull and the gas at the water line so it’s very hard to tell if I’m getting good flow through the whole system. At best I can smell the exhaust and occasionally see some disturbance in the water indicating some flow.

[km1125]

As long as you have the time, I'd probably go ahead and recheck that impeller and the water pump. You might find it's 100% ok, but they are the culprit in a LOT of cases. I did an impeller once on an outboard and a week later it wasn't pumping. Opened it up and the impeller was fine, but there was some debris encrusted in the pump casing that was preventing the impeller from working correctly. Cleaned that out and it was fine once again and didn't happen ever again.