Hello again. Wanted to start a different posting for a generator question so the responses were not mixed.... we have been told by our Tech Center here in Boulder that not with standing the original generator being pulled and placed on a bench with sizeable costs. It appears that there are many fuel, electrical, spark related issues keeping the generator from running well or at all..... should we pull the generator from the cabinet and dispose of it and replace with a gasoline external generator just for simple dry camping?? All systems are go with shore power. We were really just wanting to run a generator to allow one AC unit to operate while summer driving... ( there are other non - related issues with dash AC we can work on later). Thanks for any advice you all can provide. We have some experience managing food trucks events and have seen some external gen sets produce up to 30 and 50 amp of power with very quiet motors ( Predator 3500)
Remove and replace with a electric start propane powered modern alternator/generator. I really believe the old Onans are junk by today's standards
Our TV Tech worked with a generator wholesaler in our area and was told that most of the replacement parts are not available for this original gen set for the 1985. Are you suggesting to replace with a Gen that will run off of our onboard propane tank and use the electric start buttons that are on dash and bedroom wall from original ?
OR an external generator WITH an electric start .. we have found a 3800 Dual Fuel , propane and gasoline, that has a 30A RV plug with 3 more 115v plugs.
What model and how many hours does the Onan have? They were not that bad (we had two of the 6.5 in previous coaches and never had problem one). In fact, if it's got points & condenser (and they can still be bought), I'd keep it unless the rings, pistons, etc, are trashed. I'd still retro the old dog with a fresh Onan; I believe they are the same size, but worth checking. ^.^d
Hour meter just shows 207 hours.... but it appears " Paul Newman" and race team didn't use the Gen Set in decades. Would a complete overhaul be less costs than a replacement at this time...? 1985 GV 33 tag axle 454 Chevy. I will add the GEN model number shortly.
What exactly is wrong with the generator? I can understand the carb needing an OH or replacement. But, if the motor turns over by hand, I would sure invest some $$ to bring it back to life.
A new fuel pump, fuel line, spark plug wires and plugs, and carburetor rebuild is the most it should need to bring it up to speed. That is low hours for anything mechanical to be bad. If it has points add that to the list.
The older Onan's are pretty reliable, especially if you have the low speed [1800 rpm] models.
Worth fixing it up.
I would pull it out and take the covers off and have a look . The LP is really easy on the engine parts . The rotor may need some love if it is stuck . Onan may have parts , you can call the tech line. New unit is around 3300$ for 5.5.
Mine runs perfect @ 1400 hrs .
I had a 1996 2.8 Onan in my Roadtrek. The carbs are notorious for gumming up and my series was not rebuildable. I pulled it myself and took it to an authorized service center. I had already replaced the muffler, which had a design flaw in the support bracket. New one had been re-designed. Total cost for carb, muffler, labor was about $500.
I thought about buying a Honda or Yamaha, but I really liked the ability to fire it up remotely, feed it from my gas tank, and use it at a rest stop for a quick lunch heat up and coach cool down. Here in Texas when it gets hot the dash air must be supplemented with generator and roof air. Takes a long cord to use a portable generator that way.
Onan recommends running the generator about one hour every 30 days under at least 50 percent load. That keeps the carb fuel fresh and generator contact surfaces polished. When following their instructions for monthly use I have been very happy with the performance. You do need to check the oil daily if you are running it all day long down the road. A new generator will have an expense of pulling the old one out and installing the new one. Something always is different and requires an hour or so of fabrication in my experience. I also recommend putting a small inline valve on the fuel supply line from coach tank near generator for ease of future maintenance.
No nothing about it or what you could get it for, but: LP Cummins Oman 5500 generator 44 hrs - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/rvs/d/lp-cummins-oman-5500/6640019090.html)
I'm confused is the OP genset gas or LP?
Gas
Lp is a gallon an hour. Small propane tank. Gas tank is much larger, plus propane smells. Fix it
Gas coach, gas generator.
Diesel coach either diesel or in the smaller units propane.
Hey Man... had the same problem with ours. Hadn't been run in years. Find a different tech.
The guys who did ours Del Air RV in Corpus Christi have been Onan techs for 45+ years. They said our generators will run for thousands and thousands of hours and years and years with no problems.
He also told me that you could replace or rebuild with labor costs nearly everything on it for way less than putting in a new 7kw (that's the replacement size of the new ones). Those are like 7k plus install costs.
I did the tuneup (plugs, wires, oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter) myself. Like $150 bucks in parts. Had the tech do a carb tuneup and check everything over. Had to rebuild the choke a little bit. $300 in parts and labor time.
Now ours runs great. Runs both acs, refrigerator and various other things no problem.
I use it evertime we drive (cause they have to be worked out about an hour or so under load every couple weeks anyways). Run the roof top acs on the road.
My business partner with same genset, repaired at same place... had to have the unit pulled to replace the starter motor and solenoids. Plus all the same time up goodies. Only like $1500 for parts and labor. Still a far cry from a new Onan.
Thanks. I woke up middle of last night with the same thought. Find a 2nd opinion. We will do some research in the denver , Northern Colorado area to find another RV Tech Center to problem solve the Gen Set... we really dont want to lose the ability to run the generator and AC units on the road. Thanks.
Don't limit yourself to RV repair shops. Generator shops can also do the work.
Agree on don't limit to RV shops. Small engine repair or generator shop may do a better job of troubleshooting
Having to run out in the middle of the night in your undies to put gas in the generator on the other end of the cord is not fun. Running ac it will happen one night.
How many watts is your generator? Facebook marketplace has quite a few for sale in my area. you might find a good newer used one for a dime on a dollar.
Here You go
Onan commercial generator - tools - by owner - sale (https://hickory.craigslist.org/tls/d/onan-commercial-generator/6638063475.html)
Onan 6.5 KW.... we have located a few Cummins/Onan service centers in the Denver area and will make some calls in the next few days... after reading all of the responses from FT owners.. we are now determined to keep and repair the Gen Set.
Thank you. Nice plan B for our efforts this next week. We have located the operators manual for the Gen Set.... after a review. We see that there really is not a big complication to this engine... solenoid. Ignition ,fuel, piston(s), oil, points, spark plug(s), air, etc.. not sure how our RV Tech guy said we are needing to replace a unit with just 207 hours... we understand that 207 on 33 year old coach is extremely low but we don't know when the last time it was used extensively... on our drive from San Diego to Boulder after the purchase... we used the Gen Set on our dry camping night in PHX Costco... ran for about 2 hours til we went to sleep. On the road next morning we started it on the highway and it ran for about 2 more hours until we shut it down. Can't get it started here in Boulder CO... my point IS... it does work.. not frozen up..
Does it crank at all? or just click? Probably something pretty simple.
It's hard to find an RV repair shop that is trustworthy. The best defense is knowledge gained on this forum. The components used on our coaches were built to last. Repairs are possible on most of them.
Have you tried the altitude adjustment lever on the carb?
Yes. Cranks strong... that's why we want a 2nd or 3rd opinion.... its spark, or fuel, etc... this cannot be fatal... i think our local RV tech just gave up and charged us labor to diagnose and told us what he wanted US to hear.
Spray a shot of either in the carb or air filter. If it starts or trys to run you have a fuel issue. Fuel pump ,Fuel supply,Filter etc. if No start ignition,spark etc..Might help you to figure out which direction to go. If you are in The Charlotte NC area I kow I can fix it and if I can't we can drink beer and put it to it's grave.... 8)
How much gas is in your tank> If it is low the gen will not pick up the fuel. Just something to check.
Before we took the GV to the RV Tech Center here in Boulder, CO.. we put half a tank of gas in the coach to insure that the Generator would run after a tune up... that was the original plan. Thanks for all of the great suggestions. We have our homework now.
Not to sidetrack, but with our propane-powered gen sets, running low will make one go to the 'dark side', as well. I did, once.
If you tried to start it with a low fuel tank, the fuel lines may be full of air. With cold engine loosen the fuel line connection slightly until gas starts to seep and retighten. Check that carb is tight to manifold and any vacuum hoses are in good shape. Carb has to have vacuum to function.
Any good small engine shop can find out if it is fuel or spark that is missing.
Unlike gasoline or diesel generators that have a pick up tube around 1/3 of a tank, a propane generator (particularly a vapor LP generator) should run until the tank is 99% empty, as vapor pressure is still there as long as there is any liquid in the tank.
My GV has a 100gal fuel tank and the generator won't pick up the last 25gals, quits at a 1/4 tank
My 1986 gas Grand Villa wouldn't start when I got it. I pulled the spark plug that I could reach and it had about a 1/4 inch gap. I closed up the gap and tried it and you have to keep the starter running for a second after it trys to catch to get it going......Now the starter won't turn it over ( a new problem) a cable connection, solenoid, or starter. But when it runs it runs well.
Wantabe
Yes you do need to keep the starter in gauged for a few seconds after you here the motor start, I have replaced the starter on mine with out removing the genset, cut a hole in the back of the in closure to gain excess to the starter and rear spark plug then use a piece of metal cut bigger then the opening you cut and secure it with self tapping screws.
Replacing the fuel pump is easy too, done mine at Christmas day 5° outside in front of the in laws house
Two plugs in a gas onan.
OK.. wanted to provide an update on my phone calls and research of our Generator issues.... we made contact with Clayton at NAC and have discovered that there is NO spec and or manual information for FT coaches with model years 1984- mid 1989. About 5 years of historical info missing over the years.
NOW to the generator. We spoke to tech services at Cummins/Onan in Denver CO and provided our serial / model number for the Gen Set... they have called back and notified us that THERE are no parts available within their US system... and worse is that they will not work on this Gen Set at all... even if the Gen Set doesn't need " parts" , just a rebuild or repair... they cannot take it in for any service of any kind knowing that parts are not available if needed to complete a repair...
If we cannot determine WHATS wrong with the Generator and why it won't run.. ( just crank with no fire) than i seem to have a pretty clean Emerald green motor in our storage bay that i will drag around the country...
You need to find a small engine mechanic, the only parts you would need are still out there. Plugs, points, wires and carb. kit. If the fuel pump went bad a universal electric would do fine. I have 5 of those Onan engines in the yard and the only one not working has a broken crank. I have bought new replacement engines when they wear out.
X2 "You need to find a small engine mechanic" like a lawnmower repair shop.
WE HAVE... Spitzer Small Engine Shop in north Denver, CO... laughed when i said ONAN would not take our coach in for GEN service.... he took pity with us.. make an appt for monday... he will dedicate 2-3 hours of labor ( $ 99 per hour) to get this GEN SET running... suspects California regular gas over the years and long term storage has degraded carb and other issues.. he is Positive he can get our Generator up and running... more news to come soon.
Hello again.... took the GV to a small engine///generator repair shop in North Denver... was so glad we didn't take the advice to replace the 208 hour Onan... advice we were given by our Boulder RV Tech... replaced spark plug and got immediate fire and they took off the air filter to spray ether into the carb and immediate start up/run... would not sustain running but tech was so impressed with what he found so fast.. he says all will be good by tomorrow latest... needs carb and filters cleanup and replacements... should be all good... we would like to begin using our 86GV for weekend dry camping trips and begin to set up our fall calendar for some weeklong travels.. more info to come. Thanks for all of your advice..
If you find a good, reputable, repair shop plz share... I purchased a 1986 Grand Villa (Diesel) with an LP generator, would like to get it serviced by a good shop. I work in Boulder and live Loveland. Thanks Bob
My 1981 Foretravel had a 6.5 Onan. Ran like a top but I had problems with the automatic choke at one point and found out that no parts were available. I put in a manual choke and it was back to running like a top.
That's a good idea.... our small engine repair shop did a great job getting it to run ... about 10 more hours on the meter over the last two weeks. But today ,, cranking but no start to run.. we are in boulder with high altitude. I will take a run back to shop tomorrow and see if they can set up a manual choke i can do by hand and not use the remote starter on the front dash...