Onan 5500 flooding

[Kober]

So my Onan 5500 generator won't start. Removed airfilter and watched fuel spitting out at me from the little hole next to the air intake. Drained the bowl, generator started, ran for 30 seconds, fuel spit back out at me and generator stopped running.

Thinking stuck float in bowl?

Maybe try and clean without removing the carburetor?

Any advice is appreciated.

[bounder39zman]

good job on that repair. This is a common problem with these carbs.
As it is an "emissions" part, Onan does not offer any repair parts except the choke heater and vacuum valve (choke pull-off).
Fortunately, being in the"business", I have about a hundred of these carbs (used ) laying around, and can usually find a float to repair an otherwise good carb. that is no longer under warranty.

[Kober]

I removed and drained the float, found the leak and sealed it. It started right up but only time will tell if I was successful in sealing it completely.

Thanks everyone for your input.

[Kober]

RLS7201 wrote:

Kober wrote:

RLS7201 wrote:

Kober wrote:
Can the bowl be removed without removing the entire carburetor?

Yes............Remove the fastener in the center of the bowl.
Also check that plastic float for cracks. Shake it to see if there is fuel inside.

Richard

Good call. My float is full of fuel but I can not find a crack or hole. Now what?

There are float/needle kits available. Not having the model # makes it impossible to guide you to the exact float but the float in this link may work.

Richard

Thank you for the link.

[lamopar]

So our Onan was doing the same thing. I pulled and cleaned it and fought it for two years. Finally I purchased a carb off Ebay and replaced the factory unit. Started immediately and has worked ever since. I changed to only adding non-ethanol fuel to the generator tank and my fuel station tank. Same thing with my sons Can-Am DS90X and it has worked perfect ever since. The generator carb was replaced two years ago and will start and run great every time I try it now.

That was my route and it worked. I know others have had luck cleaning and replacing parts but this was fast and worked perfect.

[RLS7201]

Kober wrote:

RLS7201 wrote:

Kober wrote:
Can the bowl be removed without removing the entire carburetor?

Yes............Remove the fastener in the center of the bowl.
Also check that plastic float for cracks. Shake it to see if there is fuel inside.

Richard

Good call. My float is full of fuel but I can not find a crack or hole. Now what?

There are float/needle kits available. Not having the model # makes it impossible to guide you to the exact float but the float in this link may work.

Richard

[Kober]

msmith1.wa wrote:
Most likely you will have to replace the whole carb, because the pin that holds the float is pressed in and not easily removed.

Actually I was able to get it out without too much trouble.

[msmith1_wa]

Most likely you will have to replace the whole carb, because the pin that holds the float is pressed in and not easily removed.

[Kober]

RLS7201 wrote:

Kober wrote:
Can the bowl be removed without removing the entire carburetor?

Yes............Remove the fastener in the center of the bowl.
Also check that plastic float for cracks. Shake it to see if there is fuel inside.

Richard

Good call. My float is full of fuel but I can not find a crack or hole. Now what?

[RLS7201]

Kober wrote:
Can the bowl be removed without removing the entire carburetor?

Yes............Remove the fastener in the center of the bowl.
Also check that plastic float for cracks. Shake it to see if there is fuel inside.

Richard

[Kober]

Can the bowl be removed without removing the entire carburetor?

[77rollalong]

disassemble and clean the float bowl and check the condition of the end of the needle the see if it is rubber tipped or not, sometimes they swell up (rubber) and may need a new needle and seat.

[eHoefler]

Stuck float or debris blocking float. Disassemble and clean