Onan Gen Shuts Off

[jmcgilvary]

02 Fleetwood Bounder 36'
Onan 5KW

For some reason, of late, the Generator starts, carries a load (A/C's) but after 10-15 minutes, it shuts off.
No idea why.
Plenty of fuel, nothing has changed in the configuration in the last 3 years.
'Thoughts? Tips?
Thanks

[DiskDoctr]

The small fuel pumps get damaged by the ethanol and start to fail or overheat.

Inexpensive and quite simple to replace.

Another good upgrade is to add a relay and "Prime" button that provides power directly to the fuel pump from the battery connectors on the generator.

Press and hold the button until the Clackity-Clack sounds like poof-poof (sorry for the 'technical' terminology, LOL ) and then let off the button and start your generator.

It will prime the line, confirm proper fuel pump action, alert you to odd sounds indicating fuel or line problems, and lead to much easier and quicker starts after periods of inactivity or travel.

I put up a post a number of years ago with diagrams and part numbers, but no idea if it is still around, but very simple to work out 😉

[jmcgilvary]

NAUTIQUE wrote:
Following this thread!
My Onan Emerald Plus 4000 in my 2000 rig is super finicky!
Had it worked on last year when it wouldn't start and they got it running pretty good. But it still seems to have a problem running my AC when it's real hot out.
It'll run for awhile, AC will cool the rig down to set temp, but eventually it'll die when the AC goes to kick back on again. FRUSTRATING!

Mine has run dry well.
Only time I ever had issues, 2 AC and a Microwave at same time...
Other than that, until now, been very reliable for 400+ hours

[NAUTIQUE]

Following this thread!
My Onan Emerald Plus 4000 in my 2000 rig is super finicky!
Had it worked on last year when it wouldn't start and they got it running pretty good. But it still seems to have a problem running my AC when it's real hot out.
It'll run for awhile, AC will cool the rig down to set temp, but eventually it'll die when the AC goes to kick back on again. FRUSTRATING!

[jmcgilvary]

Airtex E11020 up to $44 on Amazon 😞
Timing is everything...Mine is a bit slow

[gvisnic]

Had same issue with our 2005 generator. Replaced gas cap with a new on the motorhome and it fixed the problem

[harry_bounder]

A couple of years ago mine did the same thing. The answer was low fuel pump pressure. Enough pressure to run for a while and than it would just run out of gas. New fuel pump, happy generator.

[Huskers101]

I had the same in in our 2007 Forrest River an onan 4 k turned out to be a bad fuel pump on Had it replaced and never had another issue.

[Heisenberg]

The airtex works as good as the OEM.

[jmcgilvary]

Ivylog wrote:
I carry a spare fuel pump as it's a known problem area...Airtex E11020 $38 on Amazon. Check the picture to see if yours looks the same.

Thanks, I will check it when I pull it out.

[jmcgilvary]

filadelfia wrote:
You could go to the Onan manual or watch a u-tube video on line and learn how to retrieve a fault code. The locked in code should help identify the reason for the shutdown.
Good luck Don

Excellent idea. I started watching some YouTube videos, and will look for the codes.
Thanks

[Ivylog]

I carry a spare fuel pump as it's a known problem area...Airtex E11020 $38 on Amazon. Check the picture to see if yours looks the same.

[hostage]

I don't see a cracked fuel line as the problem if it was bad fuel line it would not start real good nor run for 20 minutes at a time

[filadelfia]

You could go to the Onan manual or watch a u-tube video on line and learn how to retrieve a fault code. The locked in code should help identify the reason for the shutdown.
Good luck Don

[jmcgilvary]

Ah, sage advise.
Thanks, did not even think about the 2 going together.
Although it does seem natural 🙂