Generator Maintenance

send a sample of it to Blackstone Labs and they will test it and tell you if it needs changed yet or not. I just had my diesel engine oil tested and they said I can wait at least another 4000 miles before I change it.

I didn't look in manual but air cooled I think Onan says every 100 hours and filter every time. Could be wrong but if memory serves me I believe that is correct. Any way I try to every 100 to 125 hrs and filter every time and we use ours alot.

dmichaelf wrote:
Thanks for all the feedback. I should have said it is an 8000 diesel. My coach is a 2010. Manual says every 250 hours which is about what is on it. I bought the coach used about a year ago so I don't know if it's ever been changed. I'm gonna change it.

Get the antifreeze flushed and changed to long life antifreeze in both engines. They're due for a change.

Bill

dmichaelf wrote:
Thanks for all the feedback. I should have said it is an 8000 diesel. My coach is a 2010. Manual says every 250 hours which is about what is on it. I bought the coach used about a year ago so I don't know if it's ever been changed. I'm gonna change it.

absolutely time to change it;; do the fuel filter also as most likely its never been done

Thanks for all the feedback. I should have said it is an 8000 diesel. My coach is a 2010. Manual says every 250 hours which is about what is on it. I bought the coach used about a year ago so I don't know if it's ever been changed. I'm gonna change it.

darsben1 wrote:
Let us know which Onan you have and the age of it.
Cummins/Onan new generators no longer have filters or oil pump but instead employ splash technology to lubricate the motor. I would change those models very frequently.
Older Cummins/Onan have filters and oil pumps so those I would give those an oil change as recommended

according to his profile its a 2010 diesel so most likely a 8K that will have a oil filter etc.
I have put 60 hours on mine in 7 years so I have changed oil and filter once;; may change oil this fall just because I got nothing better to do as said what ever floats your boat;; everyone looks at things in a certain way; Iam just not a time changer(all vehicles) I always base it on mileage or hours run etc; always have always will and has always been successful for me ;; just did the ISL after 4 years and 12K miles; I use the Cummins Valvoline blue oil

Why not follow the manufacturer's recommendations?

Let us know which Onan you have and the age of it.
Cummins/Onan new generators no longer have filters or oil pump but instead employ splash technology to lubricate the motor. I would change those models very frequently.
Older Cummins/Onan have filters and oil pumps so those I would give those an oil change as recommended

hostage wrote:
iam good for 4-5 years at that rate
opinions will vary to each their own

While you can "fudge" the recommendations a bit without causing a problem......I think that is too much fudge.

An engine that is used REALLY lightly (not very often) tends to accumulate more water in the oil.....and some additives break down over time even with light use.

But it's your equipment and you certainly are free to do whatever you want. But that doesn't necessarily make it right.

Yup, depends on which Onan generator you have.

There are gasoline generators, with and without oil filters.
There are propane generators.
There are diesel generators.