Back on the Solar Eclipse day, we discovered that our RV generator would not start due to a cracked fuel line. I had my local auto mechanic fix it.The generator now runs, but it takes a very long time to get it to start. Like about 5 minutes of trying.I wonder if perhaps there was a check valve in the line that they possibly removed while fixing the leak, and now the electric pump at the genset has to run a while to suck fuel back up the fuel line.Once the generator is running it runs fine.RV is a 1990 Winnebago Warrior. Generator is a Onan 4000 4BGEFA26101ASteve

You ARE doing the "prime" thing before starting.....right ??If so, I'd do two things:Have the choke checked.....and/or watch it as you try to start with the on-gen switch.Give it a healthy dose of a good carb cleaner. Berrymans or Gumout. Might take a lot if you have a shared tank and it's full.

I had that problem with my genset. It got progressively worse until it wouldn't start at all. Turned out that the fuel pump needed to be replaced.

When he replaced the fuel line he should have dropped the tank and replaced the whole line. It sounds like you still have a leak . There is a shutoff valve on the bottom of the carb that acts as a check valve.

Check the auto choke adjustment. Our 2015 mh generator would take a lot of cranking also. This summer I got into it and adjusted the choke for a colder start. Starts much better now.Dusty

Your vintage Onan does NOT have a shut off valve on the bottom of the carburetor. It does have an altitude adjustment on the bottom of the carburetor. If the "O" ring on the altitude adjustment needle is bad, it will let the float bowl drain, when the engine is shut off. Easy, no cost item to check first.Richard

Generator takes a long time to start now. | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

RLS7201
Explorer II
Oct 07, 2017
Stude55Dog wrote:
RL S7201, How do you replace the oring on the altitude adj knob? Thanks

Just remove (unscrew) the altitude adjuster and you'll see the "O" ring on the adjuster. Take it to any automotive parts store and purchase the correct size "O" ring.

Richard
bounder39zman
Explorer II
Oct 07, 2017
the older BGE or Emerald series do NOT have a prime function
built into controls like newer models, and do not have a fuel cut solenoid installed in bowl. I would disconnect fuel hose at generator, get a couple of feet of fuel hose from auto parts store, connect one end to gen and drop other end into a gallon gas can. (with gas...of course).

See how it starts this way...should tell you if you have a generator problem or fuel supply problem
Stude55Dog
Explorer
Oct 05, 2017
RL S7201, How do you replace the oring on the altitude adj knob? Thanks
j-d
Explorer II
Oct 03, 2017
maillemaker wrote:
Still also possible the line is leaking down and it is having to draw gas all the way back up the line again. Steve

My guess is that since the entire line apparently wasn't replaced, enough was replaced to accomplish almost all of what it needs to do for textbook operation of your genny. Getting at that "last foot or so" could be a terrible task. I hate to ask you to do that when it could still be something else.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Oct 03, 2017
maillemaker wrote:

It is possible it is choke related.

Are you using the "prime" function like you should ?
Second request.

If you use the start switch ON the generator itself, you can watch the choke linkage and SEE what it is, or is not, doing.

And finally, fuel deposits can accumulate in the carb jets these days even it an engine is run every day. If you have never put any carb cleaner into the gas.....NOW is the time to start.
maillemaker
Explorer
Oct 03, 2017
I doubt it's fuel related as 1) we use the RV frequently so it's fresh gas and 2) once running it runs fine.

It is possible it is choke related.

Still also possible the line is leaking down and it is having to draw gas all the way back up the line again.

Steve
Wild_Card
Explorer
Oct 02, 2017
Choke...ya have a choke problem
Chum_lee
Explorer
Oct 02, 2017
Sounds fuel related. Try spraying some carb cleaner or starting fluid into the carburetor while cranking. Does the engine fire/start and run briefly? If so your problem is fuel related. Start there.

Chum lee
RLS7201
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2017
Your vintage Onan does NOT have a shut off valve on the bottom of the carburetor. It does have an altitude adjustment on the bottom of the carburetor. If the "O" ring on the altitude adjustment needle is bad, it will let the float bowl drain, when the engine is shut off. Easy, no cost item to check first.

Richard
Dusty_R
Explorer
Oct 02, 2017
Check the auto choke adjustment. Our 2015 mh generator would take a lot of cranking also. This summer I got into it and adjusted the choke for a colder start. Starts much better now.

Dusty