Why does my marine generator need regular oil and filter service?

Regular oil and filter changes keep your marine generator properly lubricated and free of contaminants. This helps prevent premature engine wear and keeps power reliable when you need it most, especially on long trips or overnight stays.

How often should generator oil, filters, and impellers be replaced?

Follow your generator maker's schedule; many call for oil and filter service every 100 hours or once a year, whichever comes first. We usually recommend replacing the raw water impeller every year, or sooner if the generator runs a lot in warm salt water.

What happens if the generator impeller is not replaced on time?

A worn or failed impeller can restrict cooling water flow, causing the generator to overheat and shut down. In severe cases, it can lead to costly damage to the heat exchanger or exhaust system.

What is included in your marine generator service?

Our service includes draining and replacing engine oil, installing new oil and fuel filters, inspecting and replacing the raw water impeller, checking belts, hoses, and coolant flow, and performing a full operational test after service.

Do you service all marine generator brands?

We service the common marine generator brands, including Kohler, Westerbeke, Northern Lights, Onan and Fischer Panda. We use the oils, filters and impellers the maker specifies whenever possible.

Can generator maintenance improve fuel efficiency and reliability?

It helps. Clean oil, fresh filters and a healthy impeller let the generator run at its normal temperature, and regular service lowers the risk of unexpected shutdowns at anchor. Fuel use depends mostly on the load, so do not expect big fuel savings from service alone.

Do you provide documentation and warranty for generator service?

Yes. Every service comes with written documentation for your maintenance records. Our workmanship is warranted for 90 days from the invoice date, and parts carry their manufacturer's warranty.

Professional marine technician wearing a Breeze Marine polo installing a new oil filter

Professional marine technician wearing a Breeze Marine polo installing a new oil filter (2)

Marine Generator Oil, Filter & Impeller Service

Your generator is the heart of your comfort onboard. We perform comprehensive 100-hour services—changing oil, filters, and the critical raw water impeller—to help keep your AC and stove working when you need them.

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$150 /hr

Labor estimate Usually 1–2 hours

Book sends us a ticket; nothing is charged online. Before any work you get a written estimate for labor, parts and the trip fee, and nothing is done without your OK.

Trip fee By distance, one way: $30 in San Pedro, $50 in Long Beach

San Pedro$30
Wilmington, Terminal Island$40
Long Beach: Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor$50
Long Beach Marina, Alamitos Bay$60
Redondo Beach$60
Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour$75
Marina del Rey$85
Newport Beach$110

Farther away: $25 plus $2.50 a mile, one way from our San Pedro shop. No trip fee when the boat comes to our shop, or for plan members. The work of a visit is at least $150; the trip fee is on top.

Registered in California: Breeze Marine Boat Service LLC, San Pedro
Where we work: At your slip from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or in our San Pedro shop
Questions first: (213) 693-0224 or submit a ticket

About this service

The 100-Hour Service

Powering Your
Comfort.

Your generator is the heart of your boat's luxury. Regular maintenance helps keep the AC cold and the batteries charged.

Engine Health

Generators often run for long hours at a steady load. We change the oil and filters using manufacturer-spec lubricants to reduce wear.

Cooling Flow

The most common cause of generator shutdown is overheating. We replace the raw water impeller every year, or sooner if the maker's schedule calls for it, to keep cooling water flowing.

Clean Fuel

On diesel units we replace both the primary fuel filter (often a Racor) and the secondary on-engine filter, to keep water and sludge out of the injection system.

Our Service Protocol.

A careful, multi-point check before you rely on it at anchor.

Warm Up

We run the unit to bring the oil to operating temperature, so contaminants stay suspended and drain out with the old oil.

Extract

We use a vacuum extractor to remove the old oil and keep it out of your bilge.

Replace

New oil, new filters, a new impeller and new pencil zincs (anodes, where fitted) are installed.

Load Test

We run the generator under heavy load (AC/Stove) to verify voltage output and cooling temp.

Precision Maintenance.

Expert care for Onan, Kohler, and Westerbeke systems.

Clean yacht engine room with a serviced marine generator

Replacing the raw water impeller on a marine generator

Changing the fuel filter water separator on a marine generator

Brands We Service.

We service the marine generator brands most common in Long Beach harbors.

Onan / Cummins MDK Series Service

Kohler Marine Gas & Diesel Service

Westerbeke Low-CO EFI Service

Common Questions

How often should I service my generator?

Follow your generator maker's schedule; many call for service every 100 hours of operation or once a year, whichever comes first. The impeller degrades with time, even if not used.

Why is my generator shutting down?

The most common cause is a lack of cooling water flow (bad impeller) or a clogged fuel filter. Our service addresses both.

Ready for the Season?

Don't let a breakdown turn into a marine generator repair that ruins a trip. Schedule your 100-hour service today.

Service My Generator

Marine Generator Service for Onan, Kohler and Westerbeke

Our marine generator services follow your maker's schedule, which for many units is every 100 hours of operation or once a year, whichever comes first. Marine diesel generator maintenance centers on three things that keep the unit running at anchor: fresh oil, clean fuel and steady cooling water. We change the oil and install new marine filters, including the primary fuel filter (often a Racor) and the secondary on-engine fuel filter, replace the raw water impeller and the pencil zincs where fitted, then load-test the generator with the AC and stove running.

For a Kohler marine generator service, as with Onan and Westerbeke units, tell us the model, the current hour reading and whether the unit has been shutting down or running hot. Booking marine generator service before the season starts leaves time to fix anything the load test turns up.

Does a generator need service after a quiet season?

Yes. Most of the generator maintenance Long Beach boat owners need comes down to oil, fuel and cooling water. A unit that sat unused for months still needs attention, because the raw water impeller ages with time as well as running hours, and a worn impeller is a common reason a generator overheats and shuts down at anchor.

Not sure when the last service was done? Check the hour meter. If 100 hours or a year have passed, whichever comes first, the 100-hour service is due.