1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

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

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #25 – July 22, 2018, 12:45:31 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #26 – July 22, 2018, 06:17:07 pm

Have you tried the altitude adjustment lever on the carb?

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #27 – July 22, 2018, 06:37:31 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #28 – July 22, 2018, 06:53:03 pm

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....

How much gas is in your tank> If it is low the gen will not pick up the fuel. Just something to check.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #29 – July 22, 2018, 08:11:56 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #30 – July 22, 2018, 08:58:15 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #31 – July 22, 2018, 09:02:36 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #32 – July 22, 2018, 11:47:47 pm

Any good small engine shop can find out if it is fuel or spark that is missing.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #33 – July 23, 2018, 08:56:21 am

Quote from: mike leary – July 22, 2018, 08:58:15 pm

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.

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #34 – July 23, 2018, 05:55:46 pm

My GV has a 100gal fuel tank and the generator won't pick up the last 25gals, quits at a 1/4 tank

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #35 – July 23, 2018, 06:13:38 pm

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

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #36 – July 23, 2018, 06:52:29 pm

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

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #37 – July 23, 2018, 09:01:33 pm

Two plugs in a gas onan.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #38 – July 25, 2018, 12:06:09 pm

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...

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #39 – July 25, 2018, 12:15:55 pm

Quote from: Subsilked – July 25, 2018, 12:06:09 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #40 – July 25, 2018, 12:29:32 pm

X2 "You need to find a small engine mechanic" like a lawnmower repair shop.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #41 – July 25, 2018, 12:41:05 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #42 – July 30, 2018, 04:46:06 pm

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..

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #43 – August 20, 2018, 04:12:38 pm

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

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #44 – August 20, 2018, 06:58:46 pm

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.

Re: 1985/86 FT Grand Villa Generator issues

Reply #45 – August 20, 2018, 07:54:02 pm

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...

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