Forum Discussion

Belgique's avatar
Belgique
Explorer
May 03, 2015

Exercise the Generator or open your wallet

We've be static for awhile and I failed to exercise the Onan 5.5 Marquis Gold. It would not start. Found a series of excellent You Tubes on RV maintenance by Mr. Don McAdams including one on diagnosing my problem CLICKY.

I did what he said and Sea Foamed it a lot. It got it to where it would start but then ran real rough with lots of smoke and no amout of Sea Foam made it any better. He and others (including Onan) say the only solution is to replace the carb. Rebuild is dangerous and I didn't want to take the chance. (Someone will post soon and say they did it and everything is fine. Good for them. The Gen is in a compartment under my bed and I didn't want to take the chance.)

Found a brand new one for $233 on Ebay. Watched the video and did a very simple change out. Onan purrs like a kitten.

Offered as a lesson learned. I've got computer reminders to run it under load every two weeks.
  • Previous onan owner and ran once per month with the a/c on, under intermittent load for about 8 to 10 hours. never had an issue with it. Now have a Honda EU3000, preference do to weight, mounting and function. we use it a lot, but when not in use I still do the same, run at least every month, turn on a/c and let it go for at least 4 hours. I also use it for some stuff when working around the house. Always use Sta-bil in the gas as well.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    I got my 2KW HONDA Generator in 2008 which lives secured in the tail gate covered and locked corner of my truck bed. It still starts with one or two pulls on the rope.

    Firm believer in starting it often all year long. Mine gets used all the time summer and winter.



    Roy Ken