danielmrussell
USA
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Joined: 08/27/2006
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Get a can of gas and a hose with a primer bulb (outboard motor fuel tank hose). Put one end in tank other end to the carburetor (disconnect wire to fuel pump and plug off or it WILL spurt fuel from main tank everywhere). Place can 1 or 2 feet above level of carburetor so it siphon feeds the genset.
Run it. If problem is fuel pump or fuel line you are now running real well. Cost= can of gas + 20 for a fuel hose+ a few fittings and clamps. or ANY competent car mechanic can do this for you.
In my experience with onan 4 and 6.5 gas gensets the float tends to stick in the carburetor intermittently. The fix is to remove the plastic float and give a few swipes of a file to those little side edges that fit between the metal body pieces. I swear ethanol additive swells the darn bowl.
Do not leave the siphon feed system hooked up to the genset wile its not running. If the float is stuck in open position fuel will fill the cylinders and crankcase through the intake. ( I have done this ).
This is just to verify its fuel pump making noise/ and or related to shut down issue.
Also fitting a clear hose or fuel filter into will give you a visual if air was making it to fuel pump.
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chipndip
Madison, AL, USA
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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I had the carbon build up problem that C-Leigh is talking about. Eventually sounded like the genset was coming apart. They had to pull the head and grind it down.
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danielmrussell
USA
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Two thoughts on carbon build up. Running to rich? Plug chop it and get the mix right by adjusting the elevation needle. Steam clean it by spraying very fine mist distilled water into intake wile running. Dont do this for heavy build up though as a big chunk will break loose and do damage
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holstein13
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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danielmrussell wrote:If problem is fuel pump or fuel line you are now running real well. Cost= can of gas + 20 for a fuel hose+ a few fittings and clamps. or ANY competent car mechanic can do this for you.
The problem is, without a doubt, the fuel pump or fuel line (99% sure it's the fuel line). How do I know? Well, when I prime the engine before starting it, I get the clacking sound. Therefore I know it's not the engine since it is not even running. Secondly, I already changed out the fuel pump so it is probably not that. That leaves me with the fuel line.
I'll be back from my 6 week vacation next week and will probably run a brand new fuel line to the rear and bypass the existing one. But before I do that, I'll replace the clamp closest to the fuel pump.
2011 Fleetwood Storm 32BH
2011 Scion XB
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OldBlackWater
Keep on rollin'
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Holstein, have you made any progress with resolving your generator issues?
For the last few days we have traveled across the desert to visit Yosemite NP and Sequoia NP. Our generator has been giving us problems similar to what Stormdriver describes, quitting after 20-30 minutes or as soon as we pull into a blacktop parking lot, which sounds like overheating in my case. No fun driving through 110 degree heat with only dash air! The kids don't seem to mind the heat so much, but they thought they'd get to watch at least a couple of movies along the way. I bought an inverter for the return trip, but that won't cool me off. If anyone has some suggestions of things I could try for the generator before the return trip, I'd really appreciate it!
Steve -- Murphy, TX
2011 Fleetwood Storm 32BH (2011 Ford F-53 V10)
2006 Honda Odyssey toad, Blue Ox Aventa LX tow bar, BrakeBuddy, cute decorative lights in the shapes of peppers and RVs, one lovely wife, and three little kids
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cybrdyke
Great Lakes
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Holstein,
Are you SURE it's the generator clacking? Is it possible that you have an ATS very near the generator? If the ATS isn't operating properly, it can give a rapid clicking sound. Just a thought....
CD
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holstein13
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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cybrdyke wrote:Holstein,
Are you SURE it's the generator clacking? Is it possible that you have an ATS very near the generator? If the ATS isn't operating properly, it can give a rapid clicking sound. Just a thought....
CD
I give up... what's an ATS?
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holstein13
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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OldBlackWater wrote:Holstein, have you made any progress with resolving your generator issues?
For the last few days we have traveled across the desert to visit Yosemite NP and Sequoia NP. Our generator has been giving us problems similar to what Stormdriver describes, quitting after 20-30 minutes or as soon as we pull into a blacktop parking lot, which sounds like overheating in my case. No fun driving through 110 degree heat with only dash air! The kids don't seem to mind the heat so much, but they thought they'd get to watch at least a couple of movies along the way. I bought an inverter for the return trip, but that won't cool me off. If anyone has some suggestions of things I could try for the generator before the return trip, I'd really appreciate it!
On my way back, I noticed that high heat and altitude exacerbated the problem. Fortunately, I live in Florida where it never hits 100 degrees and we are at sea level. The only time it cuts out now is when I come to a stop for a few minutes. So I am not really urgently motivated to change the fuel line out.
My theory is that the fuel line or couplings expand when it gets hot and loosens enough to let in air. I have one more easy connection to check and replace before I take more drastic action.
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holstein13
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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I just looked up ATS, automatic transfer switch. My coach does not have one. I have to plug the 30 amp line into the generator port manually. Besides, I can put my ear right up to the fuel pump and hear it clacking when I prime it from the outside. I am 100% positive it's the fuel pump making the noise and 90% positive there is nothing wrong with the fuel pump.
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popeye766
lake tx.
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ANY odd mechanical sound comming from the gen set I dont like....spells trouble.
Another idea.....I fought this same cutoff problem in my 6.5 onan for 3 yrs. I do my own work and spent $350 for parts which never touched it. Redid fuel system and ignition....
Finally discovered it was the low oil cutoff switch.When it got hot the spring inside weakened and directly shorted the ignition to ground and the gen set would stop. Cool off..would run.
I would have gone broke paying a tech to find this which i doubt would have ever discovered it.
Only reason i did was I studied the wiring diagram and found that wire.... since i couldnt get to the SW i disconnected it and every thing was fine
Its the odd things that give you fits.
tom
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