2000' Onan 4000 Microquite generator replacement

I hope you have deep pockets.

I would replace it with a Champion 3400 inverter generator with remote electric start.

How did the old generator bite the dust? How many hours are on it?

Can I have your generator that bit the dust? I can't imagine it'd cost anything even close to what a new one costs to fix it.

A Good Cigar wrote:
How did the old generator bite the dust? How many hours are on it?

Tech told me it has internal issues. Backfires, white smoke. Only 220 hours.

twodownzero wrote:
Can I have your generator that bit the dust? I can't imagine it'd cost anything even close to what a new one costs to fix it.

Used one from junk yard is 2k.

pianotuna wrote:
I hope you have deep pockets.

I would replace it with a Champion 3400 Champion 3400 inverter generator with remote electric start.

Thanks. Would it overhead being placed in the same compartment?

Use part of the output to power a cooling fan. The fan needs to be 12 volt similar to the thermostatically controlled ones for radiators.

I say get a better tech! Did he specify what the problem was? I'm guessing that he didn't
It is almost impossible to destroy an Onan after only 220 hours!! Onans have a built in low oil pressure switch to protect the engine, and oil pressure is just about the ONLY thing that could cause "internal issues" in a engine with so few hours! I am no expert by any means, but it is certainly worth your peace of mind and usefulness of your RV to have that generator looked at by a competent tech! More than likely, it'll be the usual problem of a gummed up carb, or a bad control board, both ~$500 repairs!
Good luck:)

A Good Cigar wrote:
I say get a better tech! Did he specify what the problem was? I'm guessing that he didn't
It is almost impossible to destroy an Onan after only 220 hours!! Onans have a built in low oil pressure switch to protect the engine, and oil pressure is just about the ONLY thing that could cause "internal issues" in a engine with so few hours! I am no expert by any means, but it is certainly worth your peace of mind and usefulness of your RV to have that generator looked at by a competent tech! More than likely, it'll be the usual problem of a gummed up carb, or a bad control board, both ~$500 repairs!
Good luck:)

Its actually been looked at by 2 tech's. One was a ONAN tech who told me it had to come out and would cost a minimum of 1k.

Lakeplay wrote:

A Good Cigar wrote:
I say get a better tech! Did he specify what the problem was? I'm guessing that he didn't
It is almost impossible to destroy an Onan after only 220 hours!! Onans have a built in low oil pressure switch to protect the engine, and oil pressure is just about the ONLY thing that could cause "internal issues" in a engine with so few hours! I am no expert by any means, but it is certainly worth your peace of mind and usefulness of your RV to have that generator looked at by a competent tech! More than likely, it'll be the usual problem of a gummed up carb, or a bad control board, both ~$500 repairs!
Good luck:)

Its actually been looked at by 2 tech's. One was a ONAN tech who told me it had to come out and would cost a minimum of 1k.

I don't think the current 4KY generators, which this is, have an oil level switch, though at times they have included one. They certainly don't have an oil pressure switch because the lubrication system is a splash, rather than a pressure, system.

Any significant work would require removing it, yes. That's a good bit of labor, but it's not really complicated and doesn't require special tools or skills. It's a matter of disconnecting the things that are connected (AC and DC wiring, fuel line) and then unbolting the unit from its mount and safely lowering it down or sliding it out through the side opening. In some cases, it may be necessary to have the side or end of the RV up on ramps or something to get clearance underneath.

Many of the Onan problems I've heard of--though not all--stem as much from lack of use as anything. Making sure gas doesn't have time to get old in the carburetor goes a long way to keeping it running well. Other common problems are pretty easily solved; the fuel pumps sometimes wear out, for instance. I suppose that's not much consolation when you're one of the others, unfortunately.

(Even if it fit and had adequate cooling, I'd give a lot of thought to how to route the exhaust gasses from a Champion or other portable generator safely out from under the RV if installing it.)