Problems starting 2800 Cummins-Onan gas generator

[Assyrian_Elvis]

Hey guys since I bought my van Ive had problems with my generator. I will number the issues for you guys.

1. The geneator will not start from inside the coach, but it will turn off from inside the coach.

2. The previous owner told me that I would have to start the generator from the outside and pull the throttle while I push start, and that way it does start.

3. Im not sure if its a bad carb, the coach was sitting for 5 yrs and has only 50 hrs on generator, by looking at the model of the genset its supposed to be a 2002 model.

4. I was able to start the genset and run the rooftop ac and microwave for 2 days with no problems and even run them both at same time.

5. Since this small engine boat lawnmower guy tried to work on my genset starting problem he cleaned the carb and adjusted the governer or throttle, the thing that im pulling with my right hand, he adjusted it with a screwdriver tighting or loosening some screw near it, since then the genset will not stay on when i put the ac lo cool or hi cool option or micowave, if i put those on it shuts off right away. It does stay on for a few mins when i just turn on the fan option on the rooftop ac., maybe 5 or 10 mins.

6. So in a nutshell i need to know what i need to do to fix the starting problem and what i need to do to get it back to the right frequency voltage so it can run my rooftop ac microwave etc.

I have attached a video link to youtube and pics of the genset from photobucket,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0pnh-VsySo&list=UUMr-DGdHd1j_vBuTjLwOepQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0pnh-VsySo&list=UUMr-DGdHd1j_vBuTjLwOepQ

http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181906_zpsc06btay...
http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181906_zpsc06btayg.jpg.html?o=0#/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181900_zpspch3ejpa.jpg.html?o=0&_suid=14136647602430478319400875199
http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181906_zpsc06btay...
http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181906_zpsc06btayg.jpg.html?o=0#/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_182002_zps1kghewv9.jpg.html?o=3&_suid=141366480546108912193170286702

[Handbasket]

Don't waste your time looking for "the infamous little black vent tube". That's _only_ on the 2500LP units, not the gasoline 2800. It's a breather tube for the propane regulator.

At 50 hours and 10+ years, your issue is almost sure (95%?) to be a gummed-up carb. Onan says they're not rebuildable; I believe them. They have super-fine internal passages. I have cleaned two of my previous ones, but they weren't that neglected.

Assuming it can be started and run at all, and using all proper caution, break the fuel line somewhere between Onan & fuel tank. Put the 'to Onan' end into a can of 1/3 Seafoam, 2/3 fresh gas. Start it, let it run for 1/2 hour. Stop it, let it sit overnight. Run it 5-10 minutes the next day to draw in fresh solvents. Repeat daily until it runs right or you give up. I succeeded after about a week in one case.

Jim

[rwj146]

Cummins diagnosed mine, called me with the estimate and when I told them to go ahead and repair it the Diagnostic Fee was subtracted from the total bill. While I hate spending money I would rather spend it with someone who knows what they are doing and get it repaired correctly instead of the "Well, it might be carb" or some such. Mine was the fuel pump, pricey little bugger but runs fine now. Money well spent. Good Luck and travel safe. Bob J.

[retraite]

Assyrian_Elvis wrote:

retraite wrote:

1775 wrote:
Cummins-Onan is not going to commit to anything definite on the phone when asked about what could be wrong or how long will it take to fix. They have to get into to it and find out exactly what the problem is. If you want to try the solutions suggested that you can do yourself, that is fine, but in the end you are going to spend double to get this fixed if you pay anyone but a Cummins-Onan service shop because you will eventually end up in the Cummins shop.

X2

But, if you join the Cummins/Onan PowerClub at www.cumminspowerclub.com you'll get a 10% discount on your Cummins/Onan generator service. The annual fee, IIRC, is $15, so, usually, one visit and you have your fee "covered".

And, if you go to the Cummins/Onan Service Center, first, get your "quote", then you'll know whether to join the PowerClub or not. If you do so before they do the work (but after the estimate), then, I think, the discount applies - at least that was the case when I "joined". And, it's good nationwide should you need it when traveling.

Cheers.

It says its 19.95 to join. So besides saving 10% off what else you get with this membership? You can save 10% off everytime?

Maybe the price has changed. Our renewal was in February and was $15. And, yes, during a year's "membership", all parts, all service, everything is 10% off - provided you're dealing with a participating service center. Most do, but ask first. Or, I think, you can find the name, address, etc. of participating centers on the powerclub website.

Also, IIRC, the discount is for all Onan gennys - gas, diesel or propane - and Dodge Cummins engines. It does not apply to Cummins power in other vehicles (i.e. a Class A, for instance).

Cheers.

[Assyrian_Elvis]

retraite wrote:

1775 wrote:
Cummins-Onan is not going to commit to anything definite on the phone when asked about what could be wrong or how long will it take to fix. They have to get into to it and find out exactly what the problem is. If you want to try the solutions suggested that you can do yourself, that is fine, but in the end you are going to spend double to get this fixed if you pay anyone but a Cummins-Onan service shop because you will eventually end up in the Cummins shop.

X2

But, if you join the Cummins/Onan PowerClub at www.cumminspowerclub.com you'll get a 10% discount on your Cummins/Onan generator service. The annual fee, IIRC, is $15, so, usually, one visit and you have your fee "covered".

And, if you go to the Cummins/Onan Service Center, first, get your "quote", then you'll know whether to join the PowerClub or not. If you do so before they do the work (but after the estimate), then, I think, the discount applies - at least that was the case when I "joined". And, it's good nationwide should you need it when traveling.

Cheers.

It says its 19.95 to join. So besides saving 10% off what else you get with this membership? You can save 10% off everytime?

[retraite]

1775 wrote:
Cummins-Onan is not going to commit to anything definite on the phone when asked about what could be wrong or how long will it take to fix. They have to get into to it and find out exactly what the problem is. If you want to try the solutions suggested that you can do yourself, that is fine, but in the end you are going to spend double to get this fixed if you pay anyone but a Cummins-Onan service shop because you will eventually end up in the Cummins shop.

X2

But, if you join the Cummins/Onan PowerClub at www.cumminspowerclub.com you'll get a 10% discount on your Cummins/Onan generator service. The annual fee, IIRC, is $15, so, usually, one visit and you have your fee "covered".

And, if you go to the Cummins/Onan Service Center, first, get your "quote", then you'll know whether to join the PowerClub or not. If you do so before they do the work (but after the estimate), then, I think, the discount applies - at least that was the case when I "joined". And, it's good nationwide should you need it when traveling.

Cheers.

[1775]

Cummins-Onan is not going to commit to anything definite on the phone when asked about what could be wrong or how long will it take to fix. They have to get into to it and find out exactly what the problem is. If you want to try the solutions suggested that you can do yourself, that is fine, but in the end you are going to spend double to get this fixed if you pay anyone but a Cummins-Onan service shop because you will eventually end up in the Cummins shop.

[avanti]

On my rig, at least, it is just dangling out the bottom of the genset and readily visible if you crawl under. It is only a couple of inches long. You want some kind of thin, stiff wire. I used a piece of piano wire, but I don't think it is critical. You just need to break up any nesting material (dried mud?) that the critters left behind. It is a 30 second job.

[gerrym51]

low hours on a generator is not good for a 2002. you might try some seafoam to degum the carburator

[Assyrian_Elvis]

avanti wrote:
You are probably past this point, but just in case:

The FIRST thing to check on an Onan no-start issue is the infamous little black vent tube that sticks out the bottom. Insects crawl up into it and it gets clogged. Clean it out with a wire. I know this sounds like superstition, but I have personally cured multiple no-starts this way, as have many others.

When you say clean it out with a wire? What kind wire can you be specific?

[Assyrian_Elvis]

avanti wrote:
You are probably past this point, but just in case:

The FIRST thing to check on an Onan no-start issue is the infamous little black vent tube that sticks out the bottom. Insects crawl up into it and it gets clogged. Clean it out with a wire. I know this sounds like superstition, but I have personally cured multiple no-starts this way, as have many others.

I have heard about this vent tube in the manual. Is it easy to get to? Im not sure if I have to take off any bolts or anything to get to it? Can you elaborate more in detail what I need to do to it. I know its on the bottom of the genset.

[Assyrian_Elvis]

avanti wrote:
You are probably past this point, but just in case:

The FIRST thing to check on an Onan no-start issue is the infamous little black vent tube that sticks out the bottom. Insects crawl up into it and it gets clogged. Clean it out with a wire. I know this sounds like superstition, but I have personally cured multiple no-starts this way, as have many others.

Thanks for the advice sir. I am just wondering what did they charge you at cummins to fix your generator. I am not concerned with the start up issue. I can manually start it. But what I need to get fixed is the problem with the genset cutting off when I turn on the rooftop ac or microwave. Just wondering what did they charge you in labor or parts for the problem you had. I didnt like the answer cummins gave me when they said that we dont know how long it will take to fix and we are going to charge you 125 pet hr. They also said the starting problem on mine could be a varnished carburtor and that I would have to get the whole carb replaced because cummins does not clean or rebuild carbs anymore due to the danger of creating a fire in the coach because the seals inside the carb go bad and the only sure way to fix the card is to replace it and not repair it.

[avanti]

You are probably past this point, but just in case:

The FIRST thing to check on an Onan no-start issue is the infamous little black vent tube that sticks out the bottom. Insects crawl up into it and it gets clogged. Clean it out with a wire. I know this sounds like superstition, but I have personally cured multiple no-starts this way, as have many others.

[rwj146]

I wasted $200.00 with a service center trying to diagnose why my Onan 2800 would not crank up,they wanted to charge me to remove the thing and MAYBE figure it out.I told them to button it up and I would take it elsewhere. Best money I spent was taking to Cummins Southern Plains and having them repair it.

As the the other poster told you, tell the repair person what was attempted and they can figure it out quickly. Cummins is a bit pricey but they know what they are doing.

[Assyrian_Elvis]

midnightsadie wrote:
don,t let the guy touch your gen set again, find a gen set dealer, and tell him the problem, and most important tell him a guy turned screws he had no idea what he was doing, that,s important. it,ll save the qualified mech time in trouble shooting.

There is a cummins-onan dealer in little rock but they charge 125 per hr, I wish I could find another rv place or some guy who works on them on the side, its kinda high and I cant afford it now.