Forum Discussion

rcpd34's avatar
rcpd34
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014

Odd Onan issue

I have an Onan 5500 that has always started easily and run fine. Has about 240 hrs. I have a guy doing some inside work today so I showed him how to start it and turn the heat on as it was cold. He called me and said the generator would only run for about 2 mins then stop. Never had this issue before, so I went over and started it, turned on an electric space heater and let it run about 30 mins. Ran fine. Thinking he was nuts, I unplugged the heater, getting ready to shut it down and the generator quit shortly after the load was removed. Gas tank full with good gas treated with Seafoam. Oil level good. Serviced not to long ago. Anyone have any thoughts?
Toy Haulers
  • rcpd34's avatar
    rcpd34
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2014
    fly-boy wrote:
    My money is on the carb- I suggest you buy a new carb and just switch it out- the carb is not that expensive and it is really easy to replace. You could try cleaning it but I have had mixed results-

    The fact the gennie is running under a load with no problem almost guarantees you it is the carb- there is a 0.9% chance it is something else. :)


    I like those odds. LOL. Do you have a source for the inexpensive carb?
  • fly-boy's avatar
    fly-boy
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2014
    My money is on the carb- I suggest you buy a new carb and just switch it out- the carb is not that expensive and it is really easy to replace. You could try cleaning it but I have had mixed results-

    The fact the gennie is running under a load with no problem almost guarantees you it is the carb- there is a 0.9% chance it is something else. :)
  • Dirtclods's avatar
    Dirtclods
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2014
    So the three things that maker her run~ fuel,air & spark I'd say from what you have described it's fuel it lacking.
  • rcpd34's avatar
    rcpd34
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2014
    Lawdawg21 wrote:
    Check batteries also


    New battery 2 weeks ago. How would the battery cause these symptoms?
  • rcpd34's avatar
    rcpd34
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2014
    I will check the filter (both) and swap in the bypass for the second one when it gets a little warmer, but I don't see how putting a load on it would keep it running. Odd.
  • lumpy790's avatar
    lumpy790
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2014
    I had a intermittent fuel pump problem that I finally replaced and it has run fine ever since
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Mar 14, 2014
    Could it be your both nuts? :B

    Sorry, I don't have anything constructive to add.

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