Starting a sleepy Onan Microlite 4000
Hello Travelers. I've got a tip for many that own an Onan 4000 Microlite that has been sitting for a few months without being started. I take the cover from the generator and manually start the unit o...
Forum Discussion
As some here have shared, I too learned about priming using the start rocker switch in reverse. What had thrown me off was the light that came on some seconds after starting to prime. I thought the light meant "It Is Primed, Now Try Starting". But the light going on means "The Pump Is Now Priming, So Keep Pressing It".
After a long hibernation of many months, I learned to prime (with the light on) for 10-15 seconds for that first attempt. Less light-on priming time on the second attempt if needed. Crank-over time at 5 second duration.
I also agree to make sure the altitude adjustment on the carburetor is set to your altitude. But that thing is such a sloppy adjustment. It seems to have 3 general considerations.
- sea level to ~5000 (set it all the way to zero)
- ~5000 to ~10,000( set it half way between zero and max)
- ~10,000 on up (set it to max)
Do your best figuring out your altitude and then "wing" the adjustment. This is one place where a simple electronic fuel injection system with an altitude sensor would do real good. But then Onans would be even more over-priced.
After a long hibernation of many months, I learned to prime (with the light on) for 10-15 seconds for that first attempt. Less light-on priming time on the second attempt if needed. Crank-over time at 5 second duration.
I also agree to make sure the altitude adjustment on the carburetor is set to your altitude. But that thing is such a sloppy adjustment. It seems to have 3 general considerations.
- sea level to ~5000 (set it all the way to zero)
- ~5000 to ~10,000( set it half way between zero and max)
- ~10,000 on up (set it to max)
Do your best figuring out your altitude and then "wing" the adjustment. This is one place where a simple electronic fuel injection system with an altitude sensor would do real good. But then Onans would be even more over-priced.
