Forum Discussion

Itaricans's avatar
Itaricans
Explorer
May 11, 2015

Onan microlite 2800

Hi , I've got an /05 Pleasure Way Excel, with an Onan Microlite 2800 that won't start, it cranks really powerful , but won't run. We're traveling to MO on Wesnesday morning. Can someone give me any ideas? Thanks. Louie
  • you did not give much info on how long since its run-is it new to you etc.

    without knowing anything about it low oil is one of the more usual reasons onan 2800 won't stay running
  • Is the gas tank over 1/4? Do you smell raw gas? Did it work before?
  • You can do a visual inspection first for any loose wires or wet/fuel areas. After that you need to isolate the cause.

    1. Compression
    2. Ignition
    3. Fuel

    Number 1 is extremely unlikely so you need to pull a spark plug and see what it looks like. If it's dry looking it could possibly not be getting fuel or just not have ignition. If it's wet, it could have lost ignition or you could have an over fueling issue.

    Now that the plug is out you need to check for spark. You can do this by putting the plug back in the boot and ground the body against a bare metal area on the engine. Crank it over and watch for a blue spark. You can also buy a spark tester. It looks like a large spark plug with a large gap. IF the plug was wet be very careful while doing any ignition tests as it can blow fire out of the spark plug hole.
  • I had the exact same issues with mine after it sat unattended for some time. This is how I solved my issue which I am sure some will say is wrong. First is I used surefire (ether based) type product sprayed down the throat of the carburetor while trying to start it. The ether gave it a quick boost and the genrator startted right up, although ran very poorly......I let it run under as much load as it would take for an hour with out it dying. I then (While it was running) sprayed Seafoam Spray Cleaner and Lube down the carburetor effectively choking the generator to a stop. I let it sit for a few hours and then Tried restarting it. It wouldn't go so I used some ether and off it went (you'll see alot of white smoke coming out the exhaust so don't be alarmed its normal). the Generator ran better and better as I let it run under load. I now make sure to start the Generator once a month and run it under load. good luck
  • We need more info. By really powerful cranking do you mean that the Onan runs while you hold the remote start switch on but stops the moment you release the switch?
  • The one i had, had a fuse below the start stop switch. I think it was a 5 amp if it blows it will not start.
  • I had the exact same problem with mine in my 97 PW. I initially took it to Cummins/Onan and they refused to fix it and wanted to sell me a new one for $2500.

    It took me a long time to find someone willing to repair it then it took him 1 year and $1100 to fix it.
  • Hey guys, thanks for your quick answers. Here's what I found out today, if I spray carb cleaner into the carb, it runs until it's gone, & the pump it's pumping but it's not a strong spray coming out. I think it's because it's low on gas & my driveway it's a bit slanted & the gas tank it's behind the gen. so the gas tends to go away from the tank nozzle , & as soon as I'm able to fill the tank, it'll start again. What do you guys think about that? Let me know. Thanks. Louie.
  • The generator pickup for fuel is set at 1/4 tank, so if one runs the genset until it uses up all fuel, the vehicle is still drivable with a quarter tank to spare.
  • Itaricans wrote:
    Hey guys, thanks for your quick answers. Here's what I found out today, if I spray carb cleaner into the carb, it runs until it's gone, & the pump it's pumping but it's not a strong spray coming out. I think it's because it's low on gas & my driveway it's a bit slanted & the gas tank it's behind the gen. so the gas tends to go away from the tank nozzle , & as soon as I'm able to fill the tank, it'll start again. What do you guys think about that? Let me know. Thanks. Louie.


    Oh OK. How long have you owned it?