Onan Generator 5500 Gold Fuel Pum

frankdamp wrote:
The Onan shop manual (I downloaded an on-line copy) says max fuel pressure permitted is 1.8 psi. I don't know if the pump I bought is adjustable.

Got a link or quote and model? That sounds really low.

sew0177 wrote:
I would like to ask all of you that have performed your own maintenance ... how in the world do you access the parts? My genset does not slide out and there is only about 2.5 inches from the top of the compartment to the top of the genset. I can feel the sparkplug in the inside but no way I could change it out let alone the fuel pump.

My Onan 7000 doesn't slide out either and it's completely covered by an insulated steel shroud: I can't get at anything.

I raise the motorhome using the left-side jacks, block the frame (safety first!), put my 3-ton floor jack under the center of the generator base, remove the 4 mounting bolts and lower the generator onto a furniture dolly. With the left-side of the motorhome raised I can just roll the generator out from underneath.

I lift the generator using a 'cherry-picker' and set it on sturdy saw-horses. At that point I've got clear access to all sides and the unit sits at a comfortable level, makes maintenance a breeze.

Gjac,

I was considering putting it on a slide but it's in the rear compartment that tappers ato the rear. I don't think I can make it work. I haven't really crawled under it to se what is accessible from the bottom.. I guess I should do that before I make too many more complaints.

The Onan shop manual (I downloaded an on-line copy) says max fuel pressure permitted is 1.8 psi. I don't know if the pump I bought is adjustable.

Over the years I've found Onan parts to be quite expensive. Aftermarket replacements are usually available for nearly any part they supply at much better pricing.

The first time I serviced my 7500 diesel unit I couldn't find an aftermarket replacement for the air filter and bit the bullet for the Onan part. Since then I've found a replacement for it so all is good.

I think those generators use 3 psi pump. As long as you stay between 3 and 5 psi, you should be fine. Not sure about the larger units.

You also MUST use a self-priming model, NOT a gravity feed. The self-priming will suck the gas from the tank and can run dry. Gravity feed pumps will quickly burn up trying to prime (not much lift to them)

I wouldn't worry much about flow rate, just match up the line size as closely as possible and you'll be fine.

Too high psi pump can overpower the carb's float and push gas into oil crankcase (not good at all).

That being said, the other thing to consider is the mount type. Make sure you can mount the pump with at least one bolt to the generator motor, at/near original position.

Very simple if you take the time to match up the specs first.

Here is a post I made recently about a replacement.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27727613.cfm

sew0177 wrote:
I dropped my 2000 Pace Arrow off at Cummins Power Central in Kansas City to have my 5500 serviced as it would not start and I did everything I can do. With a $135 labor rate I assume my bill will be about the same or worse.

I would like to ask all of you that have performed your own maintenance ... how in the world do you access the parts? My genset does not slide out and there is only about 2.5 inches from the top of the compartment to the top of the genset. I can feel the sparkplug in the inside but no way I could change it out let alone the fuel pump.

Mine does not slide out either but the fuel pump, carb adjustments, air filter, oil filter are easy to get to. The rear spark plug had to be changed by feeling around to get the socket on. The hardest job was changing the coil witch required a lot of shrouding to be removed to access it.

I dropped my 2000 Pace Arrow off at Cummins Power Central in Kansas City to have my 5500 serviced as it would not start and I did everything I can do. With a $135 labor rate I assume my bill will be about the same or worse.

I would like to ask all of you that have performed your own maintenance ... how in the world do you access the parts? My genset does not slide out and there is only about 2.5 inches from the top of the compartment to the top of the genset. I can feel the sparkplug in the inside but no way I could change it out let alone the fuel pump.

I have a '94 Bounder with an Onan 7000. I replaced the fuel pump about 4 years ago, it was a standard Carter pump, direct replacement for the Onan part. Got the pump from an auto supply place for less than $100. I had to drop the generator to get at the pump so it wasn't something I'd do on-the-road, but the actual pump replacement only took a few minutes.

Re: Cummins/Onan dealership charges: I decided that it would be a good idea to replace the needle valve and float in the carburetor since I was servicing the generator anyway. The carburetor dis-assembled in about 2 minutes, it's very simple. I took the float and needle valve off to my local Cummins/Onan dealer so I could be sure of getting the correct parts. I was informed that the carburetors are sealed at the factory and are not serviceable but they could sell me a new one for $800.

I re-assembled the carburetor with the old parts. Still runs fine. The needle and float looked generic, I'm sure I could find off-the-shelf replacements somewhere if I needed to do so.