Dead Onan Generator

Mr. Pinky,

A common piece of advice I read on these forums is to find a good mobile RV mechanic and have them look at the situation. I think they would be more likely to just fix or replace the part or parts that need fixing rather than sell you a whole new unit. If nothing else, you'd be getting a second opinion.

Good Luck,

~Rick

Get a second opinion.

OI too will go with Second opinion.. But in the meantime.....

Pick up a portable.. like a Honda or Yahama (or other) Inverter generator.
Most over 3500 watts will be dual voltage 120/240 and have a 30 amp twist lock (or larger if bigger) Get a matching "Pigtail" (Cord) long enough to wire it into your RV's generator in junction box.... Now... Make sure of two things.

ONE Generator exhaust points AWAY from RV

Two. Genertor is secured to discourage it growing legs and walking off.

It may be possible to "mount" it in the RV's generator compartment. At least Temp mount.

What specifically is wrong with it-- what parts are they replacing for the $9,700 estimate.

Without knowing that, we would just be guessing in terms of suggestions.

https://rvmp.co/collections/flex-power

Visone RV Parts might have something that works for you.

Onan generators for sale

Mr. Pinky wrote:
I have a 2004 Dutch Star 3810 with a 7500 Onan Generator. It wouldn't fire or buzz when I tried to start it. I took it to a generator repair facility and after being charged $900 to remove and diagnose it, I am told it will cost around $9,700 for parts to repair it or around $11,000 to replace it with a new one.
This is way out of my range and I am at a loss as to what to do. I have serviced and exercised it regularly and it last ran in March.
Does anyone know of a reputable place to look for a used, rebuilt one?

You’re clearly getting ripped off. Quit being a sucker and work through the issues objectively. It’s a simple generator not a nuclear reactor. Even when polling the internet like you are now, you need to be at least adjectivally involved and somewhat knowledgeable. Or you’ll continue to get ripped off by choosing to be blissfully unaware.

This assuming your diagnosis of “would t fire or buzz” was not some code for it windowed the block or some other catastrophic failure.

$900 just to diagnose it? Why would they have to remove it to diagnose? It ran fine 6 months ago; you are clearly getting ripped off, massively.

Where are you located?

Unless your generator threw a rod or busted a crankshaft there's no way that repairs can add up to 80% of the cost of a new generator. RUN from that repair facility!
A generator consists of an engine and an alternator. BOTH componants didn't fail at the same time.