Forum Discussion

chast's avatar
chast
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2019

ONAN—again!

Microlite 2.8 in our ‘97PW will start fine, run for about 5 minutes then quit. I exercise it monthly under load for two hours at a time. Use Seafoam in main gas tank regularly. Seems like it wants to quit when running down the road, especially when the weather temperatures are in the high 80’s/90sF. It doesn’t seem to quit when the vehicle is parked and level. Anybody have any idea why this is doing this and where to begin to fix it? Thanks!
Class B
  • 2manytoyz's avatar
    2manytoyz
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2019
    I replaced the fuel pump (common failure item), and the filter. Seemed to help for a bit. I tried the high concentration SeaFoam mix. Didn't help. I ultimately replaced the carburetor, which has it running like new.

    Shame they don't sell rebuild kits for their carburetors.
  • chast's avatar
    chast
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2019
    Thanks Retraite—I have always checked the oil by screwing in the dipstick. I am going to give you suggestion a try and see if it makes a difference!
  • retraite's avatar
    retraite
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2019
    The first thing I'd check is the oil level. If it's just a "smidge" low, it may not be low enough to shut down when parked and level, but a "sloshing" (sort of) of the oil when underway may "trip" the low oil shutdown.

    The Microlite 2800, IIRC, is the ONLY Onan genset that has a unique oil level requirement. IIRC, it should be to the "top" of the dipstick/fill hole - by "top" I mean if you added more oil, it would simply drain out of the dipstick hole.

    Some folks choose the put the dipstick in the fill hole - not screw it in, just "lay" it in the hole - to check the oil level.

    The first way may result in the oil level being a skosh high, but no harm IMHO, so that's what I've used for ten years.

    Cheers.

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