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bingoldsby's avatar
bingoldsby
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016

NHE 6.5 - Not Getting Gasoline

This is an Onan NHE 6.5 in my 1986 Holiday Rambler Class A 30' motorhome. It is the original equipment. It has run well most years since I have had it - 11 years now.

Twice - once last year, and now again, it has stopped running for what I'm sure is a lack of fuel. The first time I took it to a shop. The fellow said he got it running (didn't say how) but that he didn't like the sound of it and shut it down and went no further with it. It ran great after that, until just recently. About a month ago, it ran fine for about 20 minutes - with load on it - and then stopped abruptly. Wouldn't restart. I gave up and left it for several days. Wouldn't start then.

It fires off just great with a little spray of starting fluid into the air cleaner housing.

I started the Motorhome engine and let it run for about 5 minutes and then tried the generator. It did start and run then. After shutting down the MH engine, the generator died about 5 minutes after that. Fooey! THE GAS TANK IS PLENTY FULL.

This all has made me want to convert the generator to propane, but I'm stuck with the desire to figure out what is wrong with the current setup. What looks like the fuel pump does not look like that which I can find in literature/drawings for this particular model. I'll include a picture of that part of it if I can.

I'd like to obtain a fuel filter and start there, but can't determine if there is even such a filter on this rig. I'd go with a new fuel pump if that was the problem.

I'd rather not have to unhitch the motorhome from my home location in a mobile home park just now, nor do I think I want to get someone out here to work on it.

Any ideas? Thanks!

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNi-_N9XVdaTX0ypraDDp5k78kv4m9fXBg3iW6U
  • I helped a buddy with a ford Class C that was having issues with the engine running rough. Also had a bad fuel level sender. When he dropped that tank we found BOTH engine & generator pickup tubes severely rusted. The pickup for the generator was actually rusted thru in a couple spots. I assume it would have been sucking air! He had an empty tank when he pulled it.
  • I would bet on a cracked rubber fuel line sucking air. Unfortunately, the bad part is often on the top of the tank. To test get a can of gas and short piece of fuel line and run it off that.
  • Brian,

    I have two possibilities, both are based on my experience with my own Onan that is somewhat older, but very similar.

    You can download the manual at NHE Manual

    First is fuel: Can you unplug the wire on the solenoid? If you can, do and hold the start switch. You should hear the fuel pump clicking a fast and then slow down. If you can't get to the solenoid you could do this at the control board, but I don't know your level of technical capability so I don't want to suggest this. Now you know that the pump is working or not.

    It can also be a cracked fuel line - Any Place. This is very common with older vehicles as the line age out anyway and the alcohol in new "Motor Fuel" is doing damage to all the old rubber non-alcohol compatible fuel lines. If you can't find a crack, just get some new line and replace it all.

    The next is the "shuts down after a few minutes problem.
    Does the unit have its own battery? If it does, check the running voltage. The charging system is cheap and dirty and can fail easily.

    Good Luck

    Matt

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