BajaNomad

Genny's rehab

El Camote - 6-29-2012 at 09:58 AM

I have a 5kw generator in the moho which won't start and was wondering if anyone has experience with neglected, nonstarting generators.

This is a Onan Marquis 5000 model with only 127 hrs. on the clock. I can count the number of times I've used it on one hand since I've owned the rig the last 5 years. It hasn't been started at all in over a year...maybe 2. The rig is a '95 model.

Instead of just throwing parts at it, which I'm not sure where to obtain, are there any tips or tricks to service this and get it started? Can the filters be found at a regular auto parts store or do I have to get them online?

Please. Fresh, blended, icy, strawberry margaritas on the beach for the 4th hang in the balance! :yes:

[Edited on 6-29-2012 by El Camote]

J.P. - 6-29-2012 at 10:11 AM

A Onan dealer once told me he couldnt understand people who bragged how few hours their Generators had on them
He allowed it was the worst possible thing one could do to one is let it sit for extended lengths of time.
When I bought my current motorhome it had been stored for four years the Gen would not run. I took the carb. off and boiled it out and then re assembled it and put it back on.
The Gen started right up and with some minor adjustmet it Purred. I now make shure I start it often and let it run for a while.

Hook - 6-29-2012 at 10:25 AM

See if there is a way to turn the crank from the outside. Often, there is a large bolt head or something you can get a wrench on. Take off a spark plug(s) and squirt a little 10-30 motor oil in there. Then, crank the engine over using the wrench for several rotations. Then, try and start it.

You might have to call an ONAN dealer and see if they can tell you which direction to wrench it over.

Is the starter motor even buzzing when you try and start it electrically? Or is the starter kaput.

luv2fish - 6-29-2012 at 10:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by El Camote
I have a 5kw generator in the moho which won't start and was wondering if anyone has experience with neglected, nonstarting generators.

This is a Onan Marquis 5000 model with only 127 hrs. on the clock. I can count the number of times I've used it on one hand since I've owned the rig the last 5 years. It hasn't been started at all in over a year...maybe 2. The rig is a '95 model.

Instead of just throwing parts at it, which I'm not sure where to obtain, are there any tips or tricks to service this and get it started? Can the filters be found at a regular auto parts store or do I have to get them online?

Please. Fresh, blended, icy, strawberry margaritas on the beach for the 4th hang in the balance! :yes:

[Edited on 6-29-2012 by El Camote]

Since the onan has been sitting for a while, I would remove the screw at the bottom of the bowl on the carb and drain any old fuel that has been sitting in there. Also after you put the screw back on crank the motor and then remove the same screw again and check to see if fresh gas comes out. If gas does not come out then your floats are stuck,{ you will need to remove the carb in order to clean it out } more than likely the floats are the problem, a common problem with these carbs. In the future drain the fuel from carb when the vehicle will not be used. Good Luck. Matt

Hook - 6-29-2012 at 10:31 AM

I bought a truck camper with a propane generator in it that had TEN HOURS over the course of nine years. The manual recommends a half hour of running under load each week. So, it should have had somewhere around 180 hours on it, just from exercising.

Anyway, there is a secondary propane regulator called a zero governor that acts as an on/off valve for propane delivery to the genny. It is vacuum actuated by turning over the engine. It had become sticky from lack of use.

Gennys need to be run. So do A/C units and fridges in MHs.

capt. mike - 6-29-2012 at 10:31 AM

are you using stabil when it sits?
all motors should be run monthly or the seals dry out.
and the carb can get laquored

bad gas is a culprit for sure.

J.P. - 6-29-2012 at 11:03 AM

As to the avalibility of parts Cummins truck engines now owns Onan and does service and parts.and most rv service outlets

Making Genny go to rehab, she said yes, yes, yes!

El Camote - 6-29-2012 at 01:18 PM

Unlike Amy Winehouse, Genny willingly went through rehab, successfully, the first time.

Her therapy included a wire brush to the spark plugs, draining the carburetor bowl, blowing out the gas filter and banging the air filter...I mean knocking the particles out of the air filter.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I made her a promise to maintain her better in the future; start her up and put a load on her from time to time. :o

In an unrelated note, I believe this is my 500th post and segue into senior nomadhood. In keeping with that honor, I promise to keep my posts unsubstantiated, opinionated, argumentative, excessive and absurd. Why should I be any different? :lol:

Cypress - 6-29-2012 at 01:34 PM

El Camote, 500th post? Excessive and absurd! Why should you? Why shouldn't you? Any different? Time will tell.:biggrin: