Forum Discussion

americanrascal's avatar
Dec 15, 2015

Onan 4000 KY Clicking sound?

Our rig is about 2 yrs old with a 4000KY Onan gen set. It has about 160 hrs on it and runs smooth and well. It is used and cycled regularly (about every 2 weeks for 1-2 hours) under load.

But of late its started a loud and noticeable intermittent clicking sound. I note no deterioration in its running, it runs smooth, no error codes, starts relatively easily.

I pulled the cover to check for rubbing on the cowling but the clicking continues.

Any ideas what to suspect? My mind is thinking its an impending fuel pump issue?

16 Replies

  • I would unplug the pump. With the unit off. Run a jumper wire over to the pump. If it comes on very loud probably bad.It should pulse until it builds up pressure and then slow down.
  • Thanks guys. The lack of regularity and the loudness then would tell me not the hour meter. Guess I might better order a new fuel pump to have on hand??
  • americanrascal wrote:
    Thanks for the follow up beemerphile1.
    Mine sounds rather loud and irregular. Is the sound you hear like that? Seems to have appeared recently- last 10 hours or so?


    Nah, the meter clicks at regular intervals but mine is loud.
  • Hour meter clicks are very regular and shouldn't be too loud. I think mine are once every 3.6 seconds (i.e. every 1/100 of an hour). Presumably it's from the little escapement doohicky that drives the reels of the meter.
  • Thanks for the follow up beemerphile1.
    Mine sounds rather loud and irregular. Is the sound you hear like that? Seems to have appeared recently- last 10 hours or so?