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Onan runs poorly
Last Post 27 Feb 2008 12:13 PM by Jim Elliott. 14 Replies.
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JK WoodrowUser is Offline
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JK Woodrow

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17 Aug 2007 06:53 PM
    My 345's generator bagan to run poorly recently.  It would burp, belch and shudder.   I found that the original rubber gas line had cracks in it allowing it to suck air.
    Six feet of gas line, a clear fuel filter, a set of spark plugs and four clamps later, she purrs again.
    Steven T WebsterUser is Offline
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    Steven T Webster

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    17 Aug 2007 08:35 PM
    That's good to know. I'm chasing an intermittant shut down on mine. Coop sent me the operator manual and I hope to post it on the site soon. I installed a clear fule filter a couple of years ago when I was troublshooting other issue with the Onan. It's great to "see" if fuel is moving. Added one to my Beetle's 1600 as well - same reason.
    Steven Webster
    1986 Airstream Classic 345
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    COOPERHAWKUser is Offline
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    COOPERHAWK

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    18 Aug 2007 08:11 AM
    Since we have the diesel our Genset runs on Propane.  I had two problems that we chased for a while.  The first was a loose screw on the back of the carburator that allowed air in and made it run rough.  As it warmed up it expanded and got worse.  A tech finally found it with a dental mirror and tightened it.  The second confounded us until we checked the points and found that they had slipped waaay out of adjustment.  Reset them and it works great again.
    1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
    VFW,Legion, NRA
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    "People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets."
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    COOPERHAWK

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    21 Aug 2007 04:07 PM
    Got your Genset running right yet Steve?  An Onan tech told me that the usual cause of surging is the governor spring losing its strength.  They recommend replacing the spring periodically and then tuning the engine.
    1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
    VFW,Legion, NRA
    FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
    http://www.cooperhawk.net
    mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
    "People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets."
    Steven T WebsterUser is Offline
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    Steven T Webster

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    22 Aug 2007 06:39 AM
    I haven't had any time to work on it much. The idea of the return spring makes a ton of sense. I plan to visit the Onan store soon and pick up a new spring. The tuning procedure looks pretty basic so I'll tackle this all at once.
    Steven Webster
    1986 Airstream Classic 345
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    COOPERHAWKUser is Offline
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    COOPERHAWK

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    22 Aug 2007 09:46 AM
    While at the Onan store pick up a tune up kit.  Includes plugs, points and such.  You'll probably need a dental mirror to set the points along with allan wrenches.
    1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
    VFW,Legion, NRA
    FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
    http://www.cooperhawk.net
    mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
    "People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets."
    JK WoodrowUser is Offline
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    JK Woodrow

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    22 Aug 2007 08:00 PM
    Look closely the rubber gas line.  Yours is probably as old as mine was which was my problem.  
    Steven T WebsterUser is Offline
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    Steven T Webster

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    23 Aug 2007 10:27 AM
    JK,
    Good suggestion. While I haven't had the time to get into the generator since Coop sent me the manuals, I did fire it up the other day from the compartment switch and just "watched" how it ran and died. It seems like fuel starvation or plug fouling. But since it restarts every time and the plugs look good...I'm now thinking fuel.

    I'll run a test line into a gerry jug and see if I can improve the situtation with clean, new fuel lines.
    Steven Webster
    1986 Airstream Classic 345
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    JK WoodrowUser is Offline
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    JK Woodrow

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    24 Aug 2007 08:51 AM

    The line segment in my generator compartment didn't look bad but when I checked the exposed portion under the coach it was pretty punky.  It is a simple matter to change it out.  Took less than 5 minutes.  I bought 8' of line and had 2 to 3' left over.  It really smoothed out my unit.  Good luck!

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    Steven T Webster

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    19 Oct 2007 08:57 PM
    I'm not terribly bright sometimes. I took the day off to work on the 345. One of the things I wanted to address was the generator cutting out. I had replaced the fuel lines earlier but it didn't make any difference. It seemed like I could start it and it would run for about ten maybe twenty seconds the shut off. Not sputter or die or "load up"...just turn off.

    I tested the fuel pump adn checked a few connections for voltage. Everything seemed fine. Just for fun I checked the oil level (since I was headed to Camping World anyway today I thought I might need to pick up some Onan oil). Gues what...it was at the low mark.

    So, the low oil cutoff switch was working. It is designed to allow the engine to start, but then shut off the ignition in a low oil situation. Sure enough, one quart later....it ran for three hours straight.
    Steven Webster
    1986 Airstream Classic 345
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    rnr42005User is Offline
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    rnr42005

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    07 Nov 2007 03:32 AM
    we have a 6.5 "P" onan. when we picked up the MH it ran fine. less than an hour later, it was sputtering and shuttuing down. pulled the plugs and they were very dirty from running way to rich. no one in our area stocks them so they should be in later this week. system has clicked 43hrs. since last tune-up/oil change........2-1/2 yrs. ago!

    cleaned the plugs as best we could and could get it started, but it immediately started hunting, tripped the surge circuit breakers, strong smell of gas and shut down.

    suspect we will find a stuck float. like the idea of replacing the fuel line and installing a clear filter....hadn't even thought of that.

    will let you know when we get it going.
    1986 Fleetwood Pace Arrow
    Me, Wife, Daughter and two dogs

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    rnr42005

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    16 Feb 2008 05:38 AM
    we are finely about ready to tackle redoing the genset. the parts came in and are just waiting for us.

    we would also like to replace the supply line. it "disappears" above the fuel tank. do we need to drop the tank some to reach the other end? does it "re-appear" somewhere else that we are not finding?

    thanks
    1986 Fleetwood Pace Arrow
    Me, Wife, Daughter and two dogs

    EVERYTHING IN MODERATION...INCLUDING MODERATION
    Steven T WebsterUser is Offline
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    Steven T Webster

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    16 Feb 2008 07:59 AM
    Pretty sure it does run up the the top of the tank. I replaced as much of my rubber fuel lines as possible on mine, but stopped short of dropping the tank.
    Steven Webster
    1986 Airstream Classic 345
    Host, CampfireClicks.com
    Jim ElliottUser is Offline
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    Jim Elliott

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    16 Feb 2008 11:42 AM
    Posted By Airstream345 on 02/16/2008 8:59 AM
    Pretty sure it does run up the the top of the tank. I replaced as much of my rubber fuel lines as possible on mine, but stopped short of dropping the tank.


    Steven, It would be best to drop the tank and replace all of the hoses.

    I use a hydraulic flat bed lift (500 pound) and they can be found on sale
    at times for $100.00 or so.

    When I replaced all of mine with the fuel injection hose was used and sure it's more $$$$$$$$$ but well worth it IMHO.

    You will also find other uses for the lift like the shop has (rolling around compressors and batteries).

    Dont know if your genny fuel line is 1/4 or 5/16 but mine is the 5/16.

    Jim
    Jim ElliottUser is Offline
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    Jim Elliott

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    27 Feb 2008 12:13 PM
    That 500 pound lift is on sale at Harbor freight fot $89.82.....Good price IMHO.

    Another thing I constantly do is pour a few (2-3 OZ) of either "Berryman B-12" or "Sea foam"
    into a ONE gallon can and pull the hose off of the generator inlet fuel pump.

    With another hose reconnected into the inlet side of the genny fuel pump it will do two things,
    One is with "Sea foam" it will decarbonize the engine (under load) and with the Berryman B-12
    will clean out your carb......

    With the one gallon can the 2nd item will be HOW much your fuel consumption is per gal/hour,
    Mine with both air conditioners running (17 amps) is one GPH and its a Onan 6500.

    Jim
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