It's an 5500 Onan Emerald Plus with 900 hours. Engine starts and runs nicely.Drove it for about 3 hours back in March running the roof air with no problems.Left CA yesterday to drive to Las Vegas and after 15 minutes or so it quit - would restart for 30 seconds and quit again. The only load was a single roof air.Stopped a couple of hours later at a rest stop and it started right up. Tried the AC again and it ran for another 10 minutes and quit again.The only difference from March to yesterday was the temperature - we were driving in 115F.Could temperature be the problem? I had an RV tech take a look today and he scratched his head, said the engine was running great and it was just overheating due to the ambient temperature due to the heat off the roadway - I just wanted to know if he was blowing smoke or whether heat is the only problem?

x2 I'd also check your fuel pump and carb.Miles

lp gas or dieseli had a problem yesterday/sunday with my LP onan, wouldn't run under loadproblem turned out the propane tank valve for the Onan was not open all the wayfuel starvation, on top of that the low flow was causing line freeze (vapor freeze ??)the lines and valve were all frosted upproblem was corrected as soon as i opened the valve all the way

OK, I'll see if I can get a new fuel filter for it. It's gas by the way.Thanks

If everything else checks out okay, check the fuel line that runs to the gas tank.

Generator quits after 10-15 minutes | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

sc3283
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
spring loaded old school clothes line pins clipped on the fuel lines absorb enough heat to stop vapor lock..It sounds like a joke..but it works!!
fatmanobx
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
I had the same problem at the races. Would run 10 or 15 min.s and stop. It was hot so I left the comp. door open and it ran for 3 days straight without a problem..Try running it with the door open and see if it is over heating...
Kpackpackkelley
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2013
Just make sure your not pulling exhaust air back into cooling air. That hot air off that pavement is pretty hot in the summer. If it calls for 30 w that's what I use. If it has the low oil switch and your driving down the road how level is the gen.
AtomicChicken
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Have you checked the oil level recently? Perhaps it's a low oil shutoff killing the engine?
havasu
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Thanks, I have the manual but it doesn't cover "will not run under load in hot weather" it's a NHE 5000 by the way, quite an old girl.

It suggests cleaning the generator especially in dusty conditions - but no explanation if you have to remove a shroud to clean the fan area.

I am going to do an oil change to the SAE30 recommended for hot climates, change the fuel filter and wrap the fuel line in aluminum HVAC tape to see if it's a vapor lock causing the issues - if all that fails, I guess the next vacation is going to be a lot further north :)
Kpackpackkelley
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2013
If you give me the full model number I will post your service manual it might help you.
squeakkos
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
check air intake on rad. mine was blocked by papers & road junk.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
My Onan. 5500 only has 130 hrs. Same thing yesterday in heat. Wouldn't run when temp got above 100 degrees. I suspect it is all the epa things they have to put on them.
raindove
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
If everything else checks out okay, check the fuel line that runs to the gas tank.
havasu
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
OK, I'll see if I can get a new fuel filter for it. It's gas by the way.

Thanks