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Dastagg's avatar
Dastagg
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013

More Generator Issues?

I just spent around $1,500 getting my generator (Onan 4000) to get it to run. Had plugged carburator thanks to Ethanol in fuel, voltage regulator and other small items. It now runs great and starts great, however,I sent camping this past weekend and started my generator to cool Motorhome about two hours prior to leaving and upon trip about the 2nd hour of trip, the generator died on the way. I tried to restart with no luck. It would crank but die just after letting go of the starter switch. Finished the travel and after a few hours, started the generator and seemed to run.

Did my camping for the weekend and ran generator all the way home of about 2 hour trip and ran entire trip and while home, I ran it another two hours without it shutting down. The first time, it ran close to 3 - 4 hours before it shut down. Now am wondering if the first time was a fluke or more to come later. I checked and it has full oil level and fuel tank was full or close to full when it died and never fueled up on trip either, so it ran on same fuel level coming home as on trip to camp spot. Just not sure what to think about direction I need to go.

13 Replies

  • Been having similar issue with my 4000.
    Cleaned carb, change air filter, fuel filter and oil and it still wasn't quite right as it would stop occasionally.
    Change the spark plug a few days ago and seems to be running right since.
    The spark plug looked good, but I changed it anyway.

    Are you getting any codes, mine was 36 which is a general code.
  • Consult whoever repaired it. It will be hard to diagnose a problem though,much like the TV that works normally when the TV repair guy is on scene.
  • Dastagg wrote:
    plugged carburator thanks to Ethanol in fuel
    Not sure about that, but if you get it running good, find a way to drain the fuel for storage.