Onan 2800 Microlite. 2.8KVFA11574J, F010254711. New to me 2002 Roadtrek with generator of unknown history. Very low hours with what appears to be newer carb and manifold and choke element/spring?? Removed genset, large nest inside, no sign of wires being eaten. Choke element housing broken, repaired. Choke spring out of place and put in place. Wiring 12 and 120 volt disconnected. 120V circuit breaker in off position. Push start button and genset starts quickly, dies in about 2 or 3 seconds. I have tried holding the start button in but the genset dies anyway. Fuel pump appears to be working well. At the moment I have what I am fairly sure is the oil pressure sensor disconnected. If I spray starter fluid in carb as as genset is dying it runs well for a couple more seconds. However I am afraid to continue spraying fluid. I have both the service manual and the parts manual. Not sure how to proceed??

jjrbus wrote:Fuel pump appears to be working well.By "working well", do you mean that you have confirmed that it's still running when the engine dies?

I checked when pushing start button voltage goes to fuel pump. As generator dies voltage stops going to fuel pump.

It might be worthwhile to investigate WHICH happens first.If the fuel pump voltage goes away while the engine is still running, then you have a reason why the engine quits a moment later.

Make sure the fuel cut off solenoid on the carb is working properly. It should allow fuel to flow when operating, and off when the engine is turned off.Check that the fuel pump in the RV gasoline tank is pumping gas to the generator.

I had a 2002 Roadtrek 170 that the generator didn't run. Found a rat's nest in the engine cooling vanes, carburetor was all gummed up, and the fuel line was hard and brittle. Replaced the fuel line and carburetor and cleaned out the rat's nest. Fired it up and it ran beautiful. When I traded it in on a 2018 NeXus Phantom the generator started up and ran perfectly on the first crank.

Onan starts and dies | Good Sam Community

37 Replies

jjrbus
Explorer
Feb 16, 2022
I have a clear fuel line to generator, there is no stoppage of fuel to the carb. The voltage to the fuel pump stops as the generator dies not before. Really wish I knew what I am doing.
Thanks for the responses.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Feb 16, 2022
I believe these are splash lube engines. Could be an oil level sensor?
It’s gas air or spark. And you’ve verified spark and verified it’s not getting fuel, but you haven’t verified fuel pump operating properly.
1995brave
Nomad
Feb 16, 2022
I had a 2002 Roadtrek 170 that the generator didn't run. Found a rat's nest in the engine cooling vanes, carburetor was all gummed up, and the fuel line was hard and brittle. Replaced the fuel line and carburetor and cleaned out the rat's nest. Fired it up and it ran beautiful. When I traded it in on a 2018 NeXus Phantom the generator started up and ran perfectly on the first crank.
wra
Explorer
Feb 16, 2022
Make sure the fuel cut off solenoid on the carb is working properly. It should allow fuel to flow when operating, and off when the engine is turned off.

Check that the fuel pump in the RV gasoline tank is pumping gas to the generator.
Skibane
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2022
It might be worthwhile to investigate WHICH happens first.

If the fuel pump voltage goes away while the engine is still running, then you have a reason why the engine quits a moment later.
jjrbus
Explorer
Feb 15, 2022
I checked when pushing start button voltage goes to fuel pump. As generator dies voltage stops going to fuel pump.
Skibane
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2022
jjrbus wrote:
Fuel pump appears to be working well.

By "working well", do you mean that you have confirmed that it's still running when the engine dies?

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Onan starts and dies

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