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smithrock's avatar
smithrock
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014

Generator quits after 2 min!

Could use some help as I'm stumped now. I have an Onan Marquis 5500 model# HGJAB-901D
First, the genset wouldn't run and I figured out it was the fuel pump- replaced that. I've tried cleaning it out with Seafoam and carb cleaner. All while connected. I've heard these carbs are non serviceable?
I've got the generator to run, but it only runs for 2 mins then cuts off. Sometimes I can get it to run longer but it starts hunting off and on for a while before ultimately cutting off. Any ideas?

Thanks

30 Replies

  • Kpackpackkelley's avatar
    Kpackpackkelley
    Explorer II
    Feb 18, 2014
    bucky wrote:
    A gen on top of a horse trailer seems like a possible trip to a roast that isn't funny. Whose bright idea was that I wonder?

    There all on top now out of the way. I like it a lot better than in bottom by the road and gets better air up on top.
  • bucky's avatar
    bucky
    Explorer II
    Feb 18, 2014
    A gen on top of a horse trailer seems like a possible trip to a roast that isn't funny. Whose bright idea was that I wonder?
  • 64thunderbolt's avatar
    64thunderbolt
    Explorer II
    Feb 18, 2014
    seafoam & stabil will keep it good for at least a year. New stabil 360 puts off a vapor that will stop the corrosion as the fuel evaporates. And Seafoam is by far the best cleaner and it also has a stablizer in it. Also works in diesel. Every time I change the fuel filter on the truck I fill it with seafoam.
  • NinerBikes's avatar
    NinerBikes
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2014
    Better yet, always drain the carb float bowl completely before storage, if at all possible. That's what I do with my outboards and my Honda generators.
  • smithrock's avatar
    smithrock
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2014
    64thunderbolt wrote:
    smithrock wrote:
    Just an update: I got the generator working just fine now. It was the carb and the problem was the piston that is below the bowl was sticking! So I had that fixed and the carb totally cleaned and she's now running like a champ!

    Thanks to all that replied to help!


    Use seafoam often to prevent this in the future along with stabil.


    Yeah, I will. I use Stabil when I know it's gonna sit for a while. But I'm now gonna start using Seafoam as well from time to time :)
  • 64thunderbolt's avatar
    64thunderbolt
    Explorer II
    Feb 15, 2014
    smithrock wrote:
    Just an update: I got the generator working just fine now. It was the carb and the problem was the piston that is below the bowl was sticking! So I had that fixed and the carb totally cleaned and she's now running like a champ!

    Thanks to all that replied to help!


    Use seafoam often to prevent this in the future along with stabil.
  • smithrock's avatar
    smithrock
    Explorer
    Feb 14, 2014
    Just an update: I got the generator working just fine now. It was the carb and the problem was the piston that is below the bowl was sticking! So I had that fixed and the carb totally cleaned and she's now running like a champ!

    Thanks to all that replied to help!
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Feb 13, 2014
    Are you in a very cold area? I've had frost form in the carb and stop the throttle from moving.
  • BrianinMichigan's avatar
    BrianinMichigan
    Explorer
    Feb 12, 2014
    Does it have a external coil. I had a problem similar to yours and found the 12 volts going to coil was all over the place. It had some bad contacts in a relay in the control panel
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Feb 12, 2014
    I doubt it has an accelerator pump. I know our ONAN BFA, MicroLite and neighbor's Emerald all do NOT.

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