Generator Clacking
My Onan 4kw generator has been making a clack, clack, clack noise since I purchased my motorhome in Jan, 2011. I didn't realize what a problem this was until the generator started cutting off after a...
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I know this is old.. but have to reply..
I have a Onan Marquis 5000 generator in my 97 Pace Arrow 35' Class A. Three years we took a summer trip from Houston To Balmorea State Park almost to El Paso. IT WAS 100+ F outside. The generator worked great until we got in the desert heat and it would run for 15 minutes or so then just shut off.
I would restart it.. which took some time to do and get another 15 minutes out of it. After Fort Stockton I finally just pulled into a parking lot and decided that the generator was overheating.. or causing vapor lock in the line from the heat and took the outside door from the motorhome. PROBLEM SOLVED. It continued to run non stop for the rest of our trip. Unfortunately the way the hinge works. I have been unable to actually reinstall the door correctly LOL When I open it the door just comes off in my hands now. I installed some dowel pins in the top to keep it installed. Over this weekend we were coming home from east texas in the RV and it started to rain.. I pulled over and put the door on. It ran normally for about an hour then went back to the old shutting down issue. I let it sit for 10 minutes.. took the door off again and it worked flawlessly for the rest of the trip. The heat inside the generator enclosure is overheating something...??? I own an automotive garage and love working on cars and even my motorome... so last year I installed an CHT gauge for both of my generator cylinders. I see about 200F CHT running normally or about 220F loaded. Door closed or open.. engine temperatures are the same.
I am seriously going to install several vents in the generator door and am even considering installing a small fan to suck the hot air out of the top. IDEAS??? THOUGHTS??
I have a Onan Marquis 5000 generator in my 97 Pace Arrow 35' Class A. Three years we took a summer trip from Houston To Balmorea State Park almost to El Paso. IT WAS 100+ F outside. The generator worked great until we got in the desert heat and it would run for 15 minutes or so then just shut off.
I would restart it.. which took some time to do and get another 15 minutes out of it. After Fort Stockton I finally just pulled into a parking lot and decided that the generator was overheating.. or causing vapor lock in the line from the heat and took the outside door from the motorhome. PROBLEM SOLVED. It continued to run non stop for the rest of our trip. Unfortunately the way the hinge works. I have been unable to actually reinstall the door correctly LOL When I open it the door just comes off in my hands now. I installed some dowel pins in the top to keep it installed. Over this weekend we were coming home from east texas in the RV and it started to rain.. I pulled over and put the door on. It ran normally for about an hour then went back to the old shutting down issue. I let it sit for 10 minutes.. took the door off again and it worked flawlessly for the rest of the trip. The heat inside the generator enclosure is overheating something...??? I own an automotive garage and love working on cars and even my motorome... so last year I installed an CHT gauge for both of my generator cylinders. I see about 200F CHT running normally or about 220F loaded. Door closed or open.. engine temperatures are the same.
I am seriously going to install several vents in the generator door and am even considering installing a small fan to suck the hot air out of the top. IDEAS??? THOUGHTS??
