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Cost for a new carb

Cajunabear
Explorer
Explorer
I have a brand new Onan 5500 generator and my fifth wheel toy hauler. It came with 30 gallons of regular gas in one of the 30 gallon tanks. Of course I did not run it as i was suppose to and i'm sure there is a bunch of crude clogging it up so I brought it to our local RV repair shop. 630 dollars to change the carb. Isn't there a carb kit they can use
Or am i being taken to the cleaners?
25 REPLIES 25

CJW8
Explorer
Explorer
My Onan 5500 had a bad float after less than 2 years. It got full of gas and caused gas to overflow the carb till it was spitting out the throat. Mechanic in Flagstaff which has a good reputation with Onans had a float from a take off carb and fixed it for me. He said Onan would not even sell a float. Funny thing is, when the float was removed, the gas in it would not leak out. I still have it and it is still full of gas! Was running the gen in 110* temps when this happened.
2003 Forest River Sierra M-37SP Toy Hauler- Traded in
2015 Keystone Raptor 332TS 5th wheel toy Hauler (sold)
2004 Winnebago Vectra. 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad

bobsallyh
Explorer II
Explorer II
A coupe of years ago, I bought a new carb for our 7000 Onan. $192.00 from a Onan shop in Idaho Falls, ID. Sure aren't hard to change out. I had stopped at an Onan shop in Kalispell, MT. and he was out of them. Called his supplier in Seattle and they were out of them. The price there was the same as Idaho Falls. The shop in Idaho Falls tries to keep four of the carbs in stock. There JUNK in my opinion!

PatrickA51
Explorer
Explorer
Cajunabear wrote:
I have a brand new Onan 5500 generator and my fifth wheel toy hauler. It came with 30 gallons of regular gas in one of the 30 gallon tanks. Of course I did not run it as i was suppose to and i'm sure there is a bunch of crude clogging it up so I brought it to our local RV repair shop. 630 dollars to change the carb. Isn't there a carb kit they can use
Or am i being taken to the cleaners?


I had the Onan Generator serviced in my RV and did the same as you and it cost me $498.00 to get it repaired Onan Raised the price for the Carborators.
Thanks to Carb. (California Air Resources Board) They must be compliant.

Lynnmor
Explorer
Explorer
dougrainer wrote:


Well, as a technician for a former Onan service center, we were told DIRECTLY by Onan 25 years ago WHY ONAN does not have rebuild kits and WHY the Carbs are replaced and not fixed. While you "may" be able to find rebuild kits on E bay, they are NOT Onan OEM kits. Onan does not have or sell rebuild kits for RV Gensets built after about 1993 or so. Doug


I have used some of those eBay kits on garden tractors. I found that there was a very sharp edge on the float needle that needs to be slightly rounded with a stone or fine needle file. Another issue was the intake gaskets turned to mush after one summers use. It is still a cheap and easy fix, just get Onan gaskets for the intake.

Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Explorer III
dougrainer wrote:
theoldwizard1 wrote:
I have had hit and miss luck with Seafoam and other additives.

I call BS on blaming CARB/EPA for carburetors NOT being rebuildable. Carburetors kits are available on eBay as are new carburetors. $600 to install a NEW carburetor is close to robbery in my book. They figure if you can afford the rig, you can afford the repair bill

I have torn down and cleaned many small engine carburetors, 4 in the past 2 weeks ! If you are careful and don't ruin any gaskets, NO REBUILD KIT IS REQUIRED !

If you suspect bad fuel, before reinstalling a fresh carburetor, empty the tank, rinse with fresh fuel and install a new fuel filter.


Get me the EXACT model number and I will bet I can find a kit/gaskets.


Well, as a technician for a former Onan service center, we were told DIRECTLY by Onan 25 years ago WHY ONAN does not have rebuild kits and WHY the Carbs are replaced and not fixed. While you "may" be able to find rebuild kits on E bay, they are NOT Onan OEM kits. Onan does not have or sell rebuild kits for RV Gensets built after about 1993 or so. Doug


Have you ever considered that they MAY have told you that the carbs "sealed" are not rebuildable so they can simply sell a NEW carb? Especially if you are being paid under warranty, they don't want to pay you for any additional labor.. Cheaper for them to replace parts rather than troubleshoot and fix..

Even Honda carbs suffer from clogging and ARE "built" to EPA specs and rules but yet they can be disassembled and cleaned.

If there is a screw or snap holding the fuel bowl or in some cases the top of the carb in place then the carb CAN be torn apart and cleaned.

EPA has nothing to do with how the carb is put together, what the EPA stuff means is the carb has NO MIXTURE ADJUSTMENTS or the adjustment screws are LIMITED with plastic limiters.

I suspect the problem with the OPs carb (and is typically what happens with any carb) is the MAIN JET has clogged and or the jet nozzle tube above the jet (nozzle tube goes up into the carb throat and has several tiny holes).

You need to be able to get to the main jet and SPRAY carb cleaner through the jet until the dirt has cleared..

I HAVE delt with this on HONDA carbs, on Honda carbs (and pretty much any bowl type small engine carbs) the main jet is hidden inside the center of tube that runs down to the bottom of the fuel bowl.

The fuel bowl is held in place by a screw at the bottom of the fuel bowl.

Remove the screw (don't drop or lose it!), remove fuel bowl..

On Honda carbs the jet IS REMOVABLE and is held in with a screw inside the tube. You need a wide FLAT BLADE SCREW DRIVER the is wide enough to go up the tube and catch BOTH SIDES of the screw.

CAREFULLY unscrew and allow to drop down (the entire jet assy with a additional tube MAY drop down (DO NOT LOSE ANY PARTS).. Observe the order and direction of the parts so you reassemble correctly!!!

Then you can spray out all the little fine holes and reassemble.

Not hard to do.

Now some small engine carbs the jet IS non removable from that tube, those do present a challenge to clean but it can still be done.

HERE is a You tube video link that shows a Honda GX series small engine carb being cleaned.. Pay close attention to the little tube around the 2:28 mark , that tube IS where the clog most likely is..

Poke around the other links that come up on that You tube page for videos with commentary..

While that video shows wire cleaners, they are not needed, often several good blasts with carb cleaner through the tube will dislodge the clog.

ALL the little pin holes in that tube MUST flow, otherwise the carb does not function correctly.

What sets the Honda carb apart is that brass tube is removable making the cleaning easier, many are not.

D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Explorer
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Of course the viton on the needle "rebuilds itself".


Okay Mex, I looked up Viton and cannot find it in any dictionary I use, what does it mean?
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson

David Bishop
2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V
2009 GMC Canyon
Roadmaster 5000
BrakeBuddy Classic II

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
theoldwizard1 wrote:
I have had hit and miss luck with Seafoam and other additives.

I call BS on blaming CARB/EPA for carburetors NOT being rebuildable. Carburetors kits are available on eBay as are new carburetors. $600 to install a NEW carburetor is close to robbery in my book. They figure if you can afford the rig, you can afford the repair bill

I have torn down and cleaned many small engine carburetors, 4 in the past 2 weeks ! If you are careful and don't ruin any gaskets, NO REBUILD KIT IS REQUIRED !

If you suspect bad fuel, before reinstalling a fresh carburetor, empty the tank, rinse with fresh fuel and install a new fuel filter.


Get me the EXACT model number and I will bet I can find a kit/gaskets.


Well, as a technician for a former Onan service center, we were told DIRECTLY by Onan 25 years ago WHY ONAN does not have rebuild kits and WHY the Carbs are replaced and not fixed. While you "may" be able to find rebuild kits on E bay, they are NOT Onan OEM kits. Onan does not have or sell rebuild kits for RV Gensets built after about 1993 or so. Doug

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Explorer II
:h maybe i missed something.

Did we take it in for repair without hiting the starting button first?

Reddog1
Explorer II
Explorer II
I was at a small engine repair shop yesterday to buy some fuel hose. I was looking at their labor rates that were posted on the wall. It said small hand held engine and lawn mower labor rates was $80 per hour. Riding mower rates was $100 per hour. Maybe someone could explain to me why the hourly rate was different? Does the riding mower require a Masters degree? Personally, I think there is some dishonesty here. I know the same mechanic works on both machines.

I guess I should add, this is in california. I am not aware ow any shop rates of $150 in the Sacramento California area. Could be, but none that I am aware of.

Wayne


2004.5 Ram SLT LB 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4
1988 Bigfoot (C11.5) TC (1900# w/standard equip. per decal), 130 watts solar, 100 AH AGM, Polar Cub A/C, EU2000i Honda

Toad: 91 Zuke

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have 20 years old Honda engine on my power washer and 15 years old Honda engine on 3000 generator.
Still on all original orings and they don't object to run on 4 years old oil .
The pressure washer pump required new seals few years back.

RLS7201
Explorer
Explorer
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Of course the viton on the needle "rebuilds itself".


Good call, Mex.
But I have use a new drill bit, by hand, to lightly clean the seat and the needle drops in a little farther on untouched viton. Of course the float has to be reset. Also, my local small engine shop has an assortment of new needles that I can sometimes make work.
Just a little thinking outside the box. GRIN

Richard
95 Bounder 32H F53 460
2013 CRV Toad
2 Segways in Toad
First brake job
1941 Hudson

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
Of course the viton on the needle "rebuilds itself".

theoldwizard1
Explorer
Explorer
I have had hit and miss luck with Seafoam and other additives.

I call BS on blaming CARB/EPA for carburetors NOT being rebuildable. Carburetors kits are available on eBay as are new carburetors. $600 to install a NEW carburetor is close to robbery in my book. They figure if you can afford the rig, you can afford the repair bill

I have torn down and cleaned many small engine carburetors, 4 in the past 2 weeks ! If you are careful and don't ruin any gaskets, NO REBUILD KIT IS REQUIRED !

If you suspect bad fuel, before reinstalling a fresh carburetor, empty the tank, rinse with fresh fuel and install a new fuel filter.


Get me the EXACT model number and I will bet I can find a kit/gaskets.

RJsfishin
Explorer
Explorer
You just assume everything is clogged just because its been setting un used for a while, w/o even trying to start and run it ? What is the matter w/you ?
Or else you been hangin out on this forum way too long, and deserve to be taken to the cleaners,....your words !
Rich

'01 31' Rexall Vision, Generac 5.5k, 1000 watt Honda, PD 9245 conv, 300 watts Solar, 150 watt inv, 2 Cos 6v batts, ammeters, led voltmeters all over the place, KD/sat, 2 Oly Cat heaters w/ ox, and towing a 2012 Liberty, Lowe bass boat, or a Kawi Mule.