Onan 4kw white smoke won't run, gas running out

[DAS26miles]

Just filled up my Class C motorhome as we are getting ready for a trip. The MH and Onan generator are less than 1 year old and has been run a few times a month while camping under load or exercised.
Ran the generator yesterday for 2 hours with air conditioner running while we did some interior work. Now this afternoon, it wouldn't start. It cranks with white smoke and fuel was dripping from the air filter housing.
Flashing 36

[Chum_lee]

"Thanks for the suggestions. If it;'s a waste of your time, move on! '


I absolutley will. I just hope that I can identify your presence in advance!

Chum lee

[Chum_lee]

Sorry for the apparent harsh words, BUT, if your carburetor is leaking fuel, you have a potentially serious fire hazard on your hands which should be addressed by a qualified technician ASAP. I would hate to hear that your new MH went up in flames. (and/or those parked adjacent to it)

Chum lee

[j-d]

Speaking only for j-d, I spent a lot of time pondering this generator problem. The symptoms seemed inconsistent. The unit was new. You had used and exercised it. Warranty was an issue. Even more so, BTW with TEXAS' comment above. A lot of what you said pointed to not wanting any evidence of tinkering. Since I can only speak for myself, I don't know if others were in the same quandry.
This is your new rig and I know you want it all just right. Many things have what they call a "bathtub shaped trouble curve" where there's a spike of initial problems. This corresponds to the steep faucet end of the tub. Then a long period of very limited problems, the sloping bottom of the tub. Finally, a steep upturn in problems, probably time to overhaul or replace.
Hopefully you'll settle the generator and it'll be good for years.
Again, speaking for myself, I'm always disappointed when I read about a problem and can't offer even a sliver of a solution.

[TEXAS]

I agree the comment good have been said in a better way. But it is the truth. While anything is under warranty. Do not try and fix it yourself. If they find anything that shows you tried to work on it. They can void your warranty. Don't say anything to the shop about trying to fix it. Just say it doesn't work,it's under warranty. I want it fixed.

Yes nothing breaks until you need it.

[DAS26miles]

Because we are supposed to leave tomorrow morning early for a week long trip.
I was hoping someone could give me a solution that will allow me to fix it and not have to cancel my trip. I have fresh gas going into the generator and it's running but surging wildly. Taking it in for service.
Thanks for the suggestions. If it;'s a waste of your time, move on!

[riggsp]

Be sure to check the oil level in the generator...a stuck float, not allowing the needle valve to close, can fill the oil sump with gasoline...that may be where the white smoke is coming from...oil level too high and being pulled into the cylinder through the breather.

[darsben]

Chum lee wrote:
Why are you wasting your (and everyone else) time with this? If it's still under warranty, take it back to the Onan dealer and have THEM fix it!

Chum lee

For next time?

[Chum_lee]

Why are you wasting your (and everyone else) time with this? If it's still under warranty, take it back to the Onan dealer and have THEM fix it!

Chum lee

[DrewE]

Disconnect the fuel line at the outside where it attaches to the RV fuel system, not on the inside of the generator. I don't see how that would void the warranty; it's not an Onan-installed fuel line at that point. (You have to disconnect it on the suction side of the fuel pump anyway, and short of dismantling half of the generator, that's the only reasonable place to get access anyway.)

[DAS26miles]

It's now running for a minute then dying. Still under warranty. If I cut the fuel hose and or snap off the factory clamp, I my void the warranty. Will removing the bowl screw and shooting carb cleaner help?

[darsben]

Probably a stuck float or a little grit.
Get a one gallon gas can and put some seafoam and gas in it and put the gas line in the can. Run the genny for a while,

[eric1514]

I'm going with stuck float that got unstuck.

[DAS26miles]

Thought it might be a stuck float or something. I tried using some vise grips to clamp off the fuel and it started running better when now more white smoke, I released the vise grips and now it's running fine. Have the air conditioner running to cool it down so we can finish packing.
Any ideas???????