Onan 5500 Stops Running after 15 minutes

[Racorman]

I have a Class A gasser with the 5500 Onan generator. It has only 70 hours on it and it has run just fine until recently.

I start the generator from the inside control panel and it has no problem starting and running perfectly even under A/C load. Anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes the generator starts to stall and seconds later, it quits and cannot be started

I let it sit for an hour and I can start it up again..... 15 minutes, same stalling occurs.

Any thoughts on trouble shooting?

Thanks,

Racorman

[htwheelz67]

remove the fuel cap and see if it does it, mine did the same thing, I repalced the fuel pump and same issue, then I removed the fuel cap and bingo it wasn't venting properly. I bought a new fuel cap and did the same thing, now if using the gen I loosten or remove the cap and it works fine (mostly in HOT weather) there must be a vent somewhere. If I tighten the fuel cap it dies in about 15 mins.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

RAcor Man?

Has your moniker anything to do with the fuel water separator filter manufacturer?

[Chris_Bryant]

Racorman wrote:

rk911 wrote:
any error code on the panel?

All it shows is off and on :R

The codes will be the indicator light flashing- shutting down, it should be flashing.

[etrippe]

I have the same problem and at this point I'm pretty sure it's the fuel pump. Onan gave me the part number and I searched amazon and saw the Airtex pump at half the price. But before I order the Airtex, I wanted to ask the question on this forum. Thanks so much for posting. Any installation issues?

thanks in advance

eric

[Racorman]

I took the motorhome to a Onan dealer and he suspected the fuel pump and recommend I replace it. He wanted $172 for it and a filter just for the parts.

I went ahead and found out that Airtex makes the fuel pumps for Onan and I ordered one on Amazon. Airtex E11015 Electric Fuel Pump for Onan Generator Set for $44

Here was one of the comments on Amazon:
This was an exact replacement for the original Onan/Cummins 149-2620 fuel pump. My original fuel pump developed the fairly common problem of causing the generator to stall after about 20 to 30 minutes then requiring a cool down before it would restart and run for another 20 to 30 minutes. I only have about 15 hours on the generator since replacing the pump, but so far, so good.

[Racorman]

rk911 wrote:
any error code on the panel?

All it shows is off and on :R

[Heisenberg]

Mine was set for our elevation roughly 3200 feet. I went lower to about 1500 ft and my problem went away. I am sure it is a mechanical adjustment and it seats after heating up cutting the fuel off. Mine would run 30 to 45 minutes before sputtering and eventually dying.

[Ltrip]

Heisenberg, Can you be more specific on your altitude adjustment?
I live in Reno, Nevada, at 4500' elevation and usually go up or down from there. So I check this often.
If you are actually at 3000', for example. Do you set the gen to be 2000'? Or what?
I know it is difficult to be very accurate with the adjuster.
Thanks!

[Heisenberg]

I had the same problem with mine when brand new and the dealer could not fix it. I lost patience with them. On mine the fix that worked was to lower the altitude adjustment. Evidently it heats up and narrows a passage.

I had bought a new fuel pump and fuel filter. They are now spares.

[Crazy_Ray]

Need fuel pump

[Ltrip]

Mine is doing the same thing. I suspected the fuel pump. When the gen quit, I opened the carb drain and pressed the prime button. No fuel. Later when the gen would start, i shut it down before it quit on its own. I repeated the above and fuel came through.
So, I have a new fuel pump, fuel filter on order.
I anticipate that this will fix it. If not, on to the next possibility, which may require expert help.
A friend of mine had the exact same problem, and this solution solved his problem.
Good luck! Is your under warrantee?

[rk911]

any error code on the panel?

[pfidahospud]

Does it have a low oil automatic shutoff?