carburator cleaning

[joe0508]

I have an onan 4000 watt genset on a motorhome.I would like to attempt to clean the carburator but i have no idea what i am doing.The generator will start but runs rough and surges.If i let it run for several hours it will run mre smoothly and stop surging.I think if i get to things now i can prevent a drive to the sevice station.Can someone tell me how to do this.Remember i have no idea what i am doing.Thanks.

[TucsonJim]

I was a mechanic for many years, and I specialized in carburetor issues in the 70s. I wish I lived closer to you, and I'd rebuild the carb for free for you. But it is not a job for somebody that has "no idea what I'm doing".

Don't fall into the "snake oil" trap of buying aftermarket additives to try to remedy the situation. Typically, the orifices and jets start to clog with varnish like material, and the only true remedy is to completely disassemble the carburetor, soak it in carburetor cleaning solvent, rinse, and reassemble. This is not a job for a novice. There are many things that can go wrong and believe me, they will. I'd highly recommend you take the genset to a qualified repair facility and have them perform the diagnosis and work.