no gas to gen

[satelliteman]

I am trying to help a friend who just got his first rv. He is having trouble getting the generator to run. It is a onan 4000. First how can you test the fuel pump. Other than the stop/prime button. If I use a spray bottle and gas it will run. We tried using a short hose in a gas can. it will not suck it in. IF you fill the float bowl, and the hose and keep the can up high, it will run. Where do we go next?

[ksg5000]

Check the electricity to the fuel pump - make sure the fuel line between fuel pump and gas tank doesn't have any holes in it. If pump gets electricity and fuel line is OK then replace the pump - inexpensive low volume fuel pump at auto house should work as well as expensive Onan.

[Mike_M2]

Make sure your gen doesn't pull out. A lot of models are on a tray that by removing a single bolt you can slide it out and get to stuff on the sides.

[spcorvette]

My Onan has a small solenoid between the fuel pump and the carb. Mine has one and every once in a while it sticks closed, not allowing any fuel to get to the carb. I removed mine and sprayed it inside with carb cleaner. If you apply 12 volts to it you can hear it click. You can also bypass this to test it. It has happened to mine twice.

You can test the fuel pump by applying 12 volts to it. If it runs but fuel does not get to the generator, the valve is sticking.

Keep us posted with what you find.
Terry

[yrusoslo]

Sorry didnt see your last reply to Mike, if no gas to carb, it isnt the carb.

[yrusoslo]

If it hasn't run in over a year, most likely you have a gummed up carb. See if you can keep it running on carb. cleaner. You have to squirt it sparingly

[satelliteman]

Mike...with the line off the carb. there is no gas. Haven't figured how it get to the pump yet. If we blow air into the line it has back pressure, so don't think there is any leaks. And there is gas in the tank. Do we need to take the geny out to get to the pump and filter. will be going back over in the am to work on it again.

[Mike_M2]

Easy tests, remove the gas line from the side of the carb and turn the gen over. Is gas squirting out?
If yes, you have a carb issue.
If no, Remove the line from the tank going to the pump. If you suck on this line, do you get gas or air?
If air, the line has a hole and needs replacing(or you don't have enough gas in the tank).
If gas, the pump is either bad or has no power to operate it.
If you can't suck on it at all(or difficult), replace the filter.

[satelliteman]

haven't been able to get to the fuel pump or filter. It is hiding some where on the left side be hide things. So far can't see where the gas line is coming from.

[SAR_Tracker]

As a matter of principle, change the fuel filter anyway.

[satelliteman]

don't really know for sure, but I would guess over a year

[RedG]

Sounds like either a bad fuel pump or clogged fuel filter. Can you suck on the fuel line pre-filter and see if you can pull fuel?

[yrusoslo]

when was the last time it was running?

[satelliteman]

1993 ? and over 1/2 tank thought of that first

[spcorvette]

What year is the Motorhome? How much gas does he have in the tank?