Onan Fuel Pump

[nayther]

Anyone ever substitute a generic fuel pump for the OEM unit? I'm having what I think are fuel delivery issues, generator runs for as long at two hours, then sputters and dies like its running out of fuel, changed filters and they were fine, still does it. No code beyond "unexpected shutdown" so its not going off on that and sure sounds like fuel starvation when it quits. Was thinking about one of the small solid state pumps but mounting it back near the tank so it pushes instead of pulls the fuel. OEM pumps are a bit pricey compared to these generic solid state units.

Thoughts?

[nayther]

left it in its original location but ran new 1/4" copper for fuel line from tank to pump with a few inches of rubber on either end. Should be less restrictive than the rubber and old rubber was very soft; showing signs of degradation near the tank but nothing had started flaking off yet, just longitudinal cracks.

held down the prime button for about 2 minutes and had fuel and if fired right up. Now will have to wait until next summer to see if its fixed as it only quit when it was SUPER hot.

[Ozlander]

Gjac wrote:
I am not sure what you mean by "pushes instead of pulls". Mine sucks fuel from the main gas tank (pulls?) I don't see how you would get it to push by moving it back farther?

Duh?

[Gjac]

I am not sure what you mean by "pushes instead of pulls". Mine sucks fuel from the main gas tank (pulls?) I don't see how you would get it to push by moving it back farther?

[Y-Guy]

nayther wrote:
Did you just replace the pump in the same location under the generator? I was thinking about relocating it back at the tank, one so it's pushing instead of sucking, two so it isn't affected by the generator heat.

Just put it back where the other one was, figured I've gone 8 years with it there doing a lot of dry camping in our desert and while driving.

[nayther]

azpete wrote:
i have done it on many different models. all you need to know is the operating fuel pressure. any auto parts place can supply a generic pump already set at the needed pressure.

I've got the pump, exact match to the OEM, my last question is in regards to location; should I just replace as is or relocate to the rear, close to the tank so it "pushes" instead of "pulls"? Also to isolate it from the heat. The existing pump works fine unless its 100 then it runs for about 1 hour until it can't keep up and it starves for fuel.

[azpete]

i have done it on many different models. all you need to know is the operating fuel pressure. any auto parts place can supply a generic pump already set at the needed pressure.

[Gjac]

When mine went out on a trip I replaced it with one from Napa. Just look at the specs and make sure the flow rates are the same or higher. Mine was about $30 if I remember correctly. That was about 10 years ago.

[nayther]

nayther wrote:

Y-Guy wrote:
I put in a generic from Amazon. Airtex E11015 Electric Fuel Pump for Onan Generator Set

Fellow Toy Hauler Brenden had a good threat that listed various partes for the change. Click Here

That's assuming you have an Onan 5500, not sure about exact parts for others.

Thanks, I almost ordered one of those Airtex as it looks so close to the existing one. Rig is in Ridgecrest right now for our race this weekend, heading out there tonight so won't get a chance to do this until it comes home, might run to a local auto parts store and buy their generic one if the temporary Honda I have doesn't work out.

Did you just replace the pump in the same location under the generator? I was thinking about relocating it back at the tank, one so it's pushing instead of sucking, two so it isn't affected by the generator heat. Easy to do, just run one wire along with the fuel line (which I'm replacing with copper anyway as the all rubber one is so soft I'm sure the ethanol has attacked it like it did the fuel station pump inlet hose).

[nayther]

Y-Guy wrote:
I put in a generic from Amazon. Airtex E11015 Electric Fuel Pump for Onan Generator Set

Fellow Toy Hauler Brenden had a good threat that listed various partes for the change. Click Here

That's assuming you have an Onan 5500, not sure about exact parts for others.

Thanks, I almost ordered one of those Airtex as it looks so close to the existing one. Rig is in Ridgecrest right now for our race this weekend, heading out there tonight so won't get a chance to do this until it comes home, might run to a local auto parts store and buy their generic one if the temporary Honda I have doesn't work out.

[nayther]

allcool wrote:
What exact trouble code # did you get, and is it always the same trouble code # every time it stalls out...?

Does it start right back up and run fine after it stalls out ?

I've only checked the code once, don't remember the number but it stated "shut down for external reason" or similar and it surged for a minute or so prior to shutting off like the carb was running dry. It restarts after a cooling off period.

[DOITHARD]

Had the same issues and replaced pump with Amazon aftermarket product...no issues thus far. Bought and extra pump just in case the luck of the Irish had left me.

[allcool]

What exact trouble code # did you get, and is it always the same trouble code # every time it stalls out...?

Does it start right back up and run fine after it stalls out ?

[darsben]

others have reported moving the fuel pump off the generator to a cooler location cures similar problems

[Y-Guy]

I put in a generic from Amazon. Airtex E11015 Electric Fuel Pump for Onan Generator Set

Fellow Toy Hauler Brenden had a good threat that listed various partes for the change. Click Here

That's assuming you have an Onan 5500, not sure about exact parts for others.