Onan Gen Set 5000 very rough start

Martolina wrote:
Richard,

Wow. . .thanks for the details. I went out this morning and looked at it closely in the light. The link between the choke and the diaphragm came off?? I reattached it, but still no luck with starting. Should there be a nut or something holding that linkage between the choke and diaphragm or should the pressure between the two hold it in place? As long as I hold the start button in, it will chug. The diaphragm makes a "air sucking" sound when I pull in and out on the lever. Can that diaphragm be changed without a whole lot of hassle?? I pulled the air intake off the carb and when I hit the start button, it had little "spits" of gas coming out of the choke hole?? Could the fuel pump still be bad? Again, thanks for all of your help!!!

OK, you've found the problem. The linkage is held on the slotted lever with a very small washer and a "damn-it clip". (damn-it, I dropped or lost another one). You can use a small cotter key or maybe a small paper clip to hold it in place. Look closely, there is a hole drilled across the end of the linkage.
Because the choke pull-off has not been working, the engine is extremely flooded. You will need to push the top of the slotted lever to the left as far as possible, while holding in the start button. That will allow the engine to clear its self and fire up. Stand clear of the wet black exhaust, or your laundry person will be up-set.

I just noticed you have the air cleaner off. You could stick a soft object (led pencil?) in the carb and prop the choke plate open instead of holding the lever to the left.


Richard