1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Topic: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues (Read 1435 times) previous topic - next topic

1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

July 20, 2018, 03:39:34 pm

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)

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #1 – July 20, 2018, 03:49:02 pm

Remove and replace with a electric start propane powered modern alternator/generator. I really believe the old Onans are junk by today's standards

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #2 – July 20, 2018, 03:56:27 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #3 – July 20, 2018, 04:06:10 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #4 – July 20, 2018, 04:09:08 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #5 – July 20, 2018, 04:13:07 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #6 – July 20, 2018, 04:14:37 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #7 – July 20, 2018, 04:18:27 pm

The older Onan's are pretty reliable, especially if you have the low speed [1800 rpm] models.
Worth fixing it up.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #8 – July 20, 2018, 04:22:31 pm

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 .

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #9 – July 20, 2018, 05:31:07 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #10 – July 20, 2018, 05:33:33 pm

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

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #11 – July 20, 2018, 07:54:19 pm

I'm confused is the OP genset gas or LP?

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #12 – July 20, 2018, 08:20:35 pm

Gas

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #13 – July 20, 2018, 08:38:15 pm

Lp is a gallon an hour. Small propane tank. Gas tank is much larger, plus propane smells. Fix it

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #14 – July 21, 2018, 09:01:32 am

Gas coach, gas generator.

Diesel coach either diesel or in the smaller units propane.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #15 – July 21, 2018, 02:46:10 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #16 – July 21, 2018, 03:17:28 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #17 – July 21, 2018, 03:24:30 pm

Don't limit yourself to RV repair shops. Generator shops can also do the work.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #18 – July 21, 2018, 03:54:58 pm

Agree on don't limit to RV shops. Small engine repair or generator shop may do a better job of troubleshooting

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #19 – July 21, 2018, 08:29:18 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #20 – July 22, 2018, 12:19:25 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #21 – July 22, 2018, 12:25:35 pm

Here You go
Onan commercial generator - tools - by owner - sale

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #22 – July 22, 2018, 12:25:55 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #23 – July 22, 2018, 12:31:04 pm

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..

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #24 – July 22, 2018, 12:41:06 pm

Does it crank at all? or just click? Probably something pretty simple.

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