I made a horrible error. I drained the oil in my generator with the intent to run right out, grab some new oil and put it in. Nope, got sidetracked and forgot all about it until a few weeks later. Started up the genny, it ran for a few minutes and shut down. After I figured out why, I added oil and tried to get it running. It seemed to turn over ok but wouldn't catch. I am REALLY hoping there is a sensor switch of some type that turned off the genny before irreparable damage occurred and just needs to be reset. I'm sure nobody has done this but would anyone have any insight on what the problems i am looking at could be?

I've done things like that when your memory gets fuzzy as you get older. Now if I have to leave a project which is half complete, I take a piece of blue tape and put it where it can prominently be seen. Then as things have it, when I get back to it I see the tape and it reminds me that something is not complete. With me, after a "day or 2", I remember what I didn't do :S

The fact that it "ran for a few minutes" and then shut down makes it sound like there wasn't a sensor. Sorry to say this but it may be time to start shopping for another generator.

Do compression test. I am surprised good (?) generator has no low oil shut down?Anyway, if you scored cylinder and piston, the engine is toasted.$13 buys you android endoscope camera that you can stick into plug hole and inspect the condition.

Typically when an engine is run without oil, the first thing to go is the cam lobes. Pull the valve cover and see if the valves are moving.

If it is a new Cummins/Onan they have gone to splash oil lubrication. No filter, no oil pump and their literature no longer lists a Low Oil Shutoff.

Ran my Onan without oil | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

joshuajim
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2017
Typically when an engine is run without oil, the first thing to go is the cam lobes. Pull the valve cover and see if the valves are moving.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2017
Do compression test. I am surprised good (?) generator has no low oil shut down?
Anyway, if you scored cylinder and piston, the engine is toasted.
$13 buys you android endoscope camera that you can stick into plug hole and inspect the condition.
Fresno_Tundra_D
Explorer
Aug 18, 2017
The fact that it "ran for a few minutes" and then shut down makes it sound like there wasn't a sensor. Sorry to say this but it may be time to start shopping for another generator.
joshuajim
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2017
I've done things like that when your memory gets fuzzy as you get older. Now if I have to leave a project which is half complete, I take a piece of blue tape and put it where it can prominently be seen. Then as things have it, when I get back to it I see the tape and it reminds me that something is not complete.

With me, after a "day or 2", I remember what I didn't do :S

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Ran my Onan without oil

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