Onan 5500 gummed - fixed!
I think I dodged a bullet today! My 2010 Onan 5500 HGJAB with 1000 hours finally got the often talked about dreaded gum up :( It would start but under load it coughed, spit, and died).
It has worked flawlessly for 5 years, probably cause I used it a lot. This is the first summer I left it in the Florida heat unattended for 3 months.
I took the carb off and hit it inside and out with Gunk carb cleaner. I sprayed every orifice I could find. I opened the bowl drain and half filled the bowl and tightened the drain screw. I reattached the carb and before attaching the fuel line, filled it with an ounce of sea foam. When it was all back together I hit the prime button for a while to force the pure sea foam into the carb. I let is soak for a few hours and then started it up. Was a little rough at first and then smoothed out. Turned on one AC for 5 minutes and then the second AC was turned on. She's purring now! From all the horror stories I've read about the Onan 5500 I feel I cheated death (of a carburetor)! :)
It has worked flawlessly for 5 years, probably cause I used it a lot. This is the first summer I left it in the Florida heat unattended for 3 months.
I took the carb off and hit it inside and out with Gunk carb cleaner. I sprayed every orifice I could find. I opened the bowl drain and half filled the bowl and tightened the drain screw. I reattached the carb and before attaching the fuel line, filled it with an ounce of sea foam. When it was all back together I hit the prime button for a while to force the pure sea foam into the carb. I let is soak for a few hours and then started it up. Was a little rough at first and then smoothed out. Turned on one AC for 5 minutes and then the second AC was turned on. She's purring now! From all the horror stories I've read about the Onan 5500 I feel I cheated death (of a carburetor)! :)
