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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
When u check the Onan 4000 oil level is the oil up to the full mark on the dipstick ? If so it might be over full.
I always pre-measure the amt of new oil that add during an oil change , then note it on the dipstick as my full mark.
There is a video of an Onan faulty dipstick where the full mark should read 1/2 way between full and add lines. As per the video, this has been resulting in your symptoms of starting, blue smoke then stopping.
This is good to know as I’ve never had one before until now and basically couldn’t get it full. Think it’s about half way up the dipstick. How the ___ do you get the dipstick length wrong? What’s the capacity supposed to be?
also saw the video and I've since reduced the oil level to the half on the dip stick.
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Kennyg
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05/15/21 01:46pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Kennyg
Unless it’s something weird cutting the ignition/spark off, my money is on plugged carb or carb issue.
Did it sit with gas/old gas in it for a while and not run?
Yes, approx 6 months.
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Kennyg
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05/15/21 01:44pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
What he said ^.
Gasoline or LP? Presume gasoline.
Does it start and run 15 sec repeatedly or was it one and done?
Blue smoke is oil.
Not necessarily an issue. Could be from sitting, could be burning a little oil but still ok.
A lot of people don’t even notice, but most engines, new or old, in my experience, will blow a little blue smoke on startup. Once in a while. Could be a chunk of carbon holding a valve slightly open, sticky ring that frees itself up or any other number of things.
If it does it every time cold and then clears up, likely worn top end valves etc. if it smokes after warmed up and constantly then likely rings.
Is the crankcase over full ( gas draining into case, stuck float on a gravity fed, primer stuck on and you didn’t notice etc)? If so it could be sucking in diluted oil. Could also make it not run right, maybe.
From there, could be carb plugged up
Need more history and symptoms.
Old gas, sat for a long time?
Original question is it repeatable runs and dies?
If no restart, does it fire on ether?
Is the fuel pump working consistently? Did you check it?
This is a replacement carb only two years old. The oil in crank was replaced at same time as carb. I over filled this jan. removed the excess and noted it was already dark brown. Replaced original sparkplug this january. When starting, it is repeatable start and stops. Pump does work. removed gas line and attempted start; gas flowed out of line when start button is engaged.
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Kennyg
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05/15/21 06:49am |
Class C Motorhomes
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Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Here I go again. Am at home now and I tried the generator again. It started, but only for about 15 seconds and then shut down. During this short time it ran rough and the exhaust blew constant blue smoke which I assume is excessive gas. As I stated before I did take the carb apart an soaked in cleaner and blwe air thru all the holes. So, where go I go from here?
Should I be replacing the carb or pull the carb entirely from generator and soak it in carb cleaner. Nothing seems to work.
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Kennyg
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05/14/21 08:22am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Here I go again. Am at home now and I tried the generator again. It started, but only for about 15 seconds and then shut down. During this short time it ran rough and the exhaust blew constant blue smoke which I assume is excessive gas. As I stated before I did take the carb apart an soaked in cleaner and blwe air thru all the holes. So, where go I go from here?
Should I be replacing the carb or pull the carb entirely from generator and soak it in carb cleaner. Nothing seems to work.
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Kennyg
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05/14/21 08:18am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Awning replacement fabric adventure...oy
I also had the awning fabric replaced and by a profession. I viewed all the videos on utube and figured it could not be that difficult. Well, they took 1&1/2hours to remove and install. I watched and the videos didn't even come close to what they did. It was well worth the extra money to have them do it
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Kennyg
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05/02/21 08:34am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Tucson to Springfield MO
I don't like 6% grades and that is what you will encounter taking 70 to 54 to Roswell. Rather I stay on 54 until 380 and then go into Roswell and beyond. Bypasses the mountain pass you will encounter on 70
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Kennyg
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01/24/21 09:45am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
That fuel solenoid will stick closed not allowing fuel to enter the main jet. The reason it runs briefly is because the automatic choke is on enrichening the fuel air mixture, compensating for the lack of fuel going thru the main jet. Any water in the float bowl sits on the bottom and in that solenoid causing corrosion in a short time. I just fixed an Onan with the same issue.
When I disassembled the carb and manually moved the solenoid plunger it moved without restriction.
If I bypass the solenoid will the engine start as long as I use the jumper?
No, the only way to "bypass" it would be to take plunger out of it. The spring keeps it closed until power is applied to it. If you apply 12VDC to it on the bench you should be able to test it.
Did you make sure the holes in the brass piece were free and clear?
Yes I did. Used carb cleaner as well as air hose to clean. Can see thru all the holes and the air passes thru all of them.
On one utube video, it talks about another "Brass" fitting with holes that is up in carb. The more I think about this is this piece which the solenoid pushes up and down?
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Kennyg
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01/19/21 12:28pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
That fuel solenoid will stick closed not allowing fuel to enter the main jet. The reason it runs briefly is because the automatic choke is on enrichening the fuel air mixture, compensating for the lack of fuel going thru the main jet. Any water in the float bowl sits on the bottom and in that solenoid causing corrosion in a short time. I just fixed an Onan with the same issue.
When I disassembled the carb and manually moved the solenoid plunger it moved without restriction.
If I bypass the solenoid will the engine start as long as I use the jumper?
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Kennyg
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01/19/21 08:38am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Does the generator keep running if you hold down the start switch? If it does, that indicates that it's not putting out enough voltage to the control board to lock in the run cycle. It could be a faulty voltage regulator ($$$), or it could be dirty slip rings. Holding the start button down for a minute or two may clean the rings enough to keep it running. Worth a try anyway...
No. will run ,but as soon as I release button, the engine stops.
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Kennyg
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01/17/21 08:49am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Does your float bowl have a drain on the bottom?
YES - Have drained it number of times and very little comes out. Finally, I have pulled gas line and hit start button and definate volume of gas is being seny to input of bowl .
Can someone explain the purpose of the solenoid on carb?
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Kennyg
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01/17/21 08:42am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Well, thanks for all of the advise. Will try all of the suggestions in next few days. Need to watch the packers first!!
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Kennyg
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01/16/21 10:08am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Well, I dissembled the carb, cleaned it with carb cleaner and reassembled. Now, it runs for short time, very ragged and then quits, But, now the exhaust is BLUE whereas before the clean out it was almost clear. So, I need some suggestions. Do I really need to replace the entire carb/ Last question, what is the purpose of the solenoid and its purpose? Thanks for all your advise to date!
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Kennyg
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01/15/21 10:33am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: e450 cruise control problems
2006 is PCM controlled, and simply uses the electric throttle body for speed control. You likely have some stiction in the throttle body, which should trigger the check engine light. It would definitely be useful to pull the codes, in case it’s just a dirty MAF. Although it’s all part of the same assembly. They are not a lifetime item. It’s very common to need to new electronic throttle body after around the 10-year mark.
Thank you for all the info. will check with ford tech when I return to green bay.
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Kennyg
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12/09/20 08:36am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: e450 cruise control problems
There is no Cruise Control Module on the E-series. It's either vacuum-controlled (pre-2005) or PCM controller (2005+, when the TorqueShift came out).
A loss of cruise control combined with a check engine light on a vacuum-servo system would make me suspect a large vacuum leak. It could be the servo itself, but could also be a stuck evap solenoid, or possible even the vacuum hose coming off the intake manifold. Are you able to get air to blow out the dash-vents?
Yes. Am able to get air thru the dash vents. My unit is a 2006 with a 6.8 liter engine. This problem has occurred at least 3 times over past 4yrs. Could this indicate a servo or stuck evap solenoid? After each occurrence, I've shut motor off. Then started use again with no problem for almost a year or more.
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Kennyg
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12/08/20 08:57am |
Class C Motorhomes
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e450 cruise control problems
Driving thru El paso with control on and 60 mph. Engine light goes on , lose power and everything shuts down. Pull over, wait few minutes, restart engine and go on my way WITHOUT cruse control. This is 3rd time in 4 yrs this happened. google problem and results indicate that a cruise control module may be the problem. Anyone else experience the problem? In past I just wait few miles and then again use control with no problem. Suggestions would be appreciated. Last time this happened, talked with ford truck service in my area and they never heard of this situation.
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Kennyg
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12/07/20 08:19am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Time to clean the carb.....
Carb is only 2yrs old. Do you mean removing and cleaning??
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Kennyg
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11/19/20 08:19pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Do you have MORE than a 1/4 tank of gas?
Yes
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Kennyg
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11/19/20 08:18pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Louisiana State Parks
Do believe Grand Isle is closed. google Grand Isle; they will have all info. I follow park on face book and last I saw, they are closed.
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Kennyg
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11/19/20 07:52pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
Pulled RV out of 6 month storage. Attempted to start generator. Will start, but quit after about 6 seconds. Repeated attempts with no success.
When it does start, it runs only briefly. It seems to me that it is not getting a constant flow of gas. Should I empty the "float bowl" to get clean gas ( no I didn't drain the bowl before placing unit into storage) and then attempt to start again.
The fault light indicates a fault 36. This fault seems to imply I should either clean or replace the spark plug.
Any and all advise will be greatly appreciated
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Kennyg
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11/19/20 07:47pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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