Time for Onan 5500 rebuild? Pics and video ...
I have a separate post about my Onan 5500 gas generator (5.5HGJAB-1038C Spec C) starting with some assistance by opening air filter box and holding the butterfly/choke all the way open to get it going and then it might run for a while after putting everything back together but struggles (sounds flooded) and have to repeat process if turn it off to get it going again. I can feel it spitting liquid (seemed like fuel) as I held it open especially as it first tried to start.
I first tried to replacing the fuel pump filter, eliminated the filter at the carb, and new vacuum diaphragm with no luck so went for a full new carb (very easy to replace by the way ... easier than just the diaphragm) but looks like it is on a quick downhill slide as getting a bit of smoke now and it wont run much at all.
When removing the carb found this directly behind the carb:
It is very "moist" and seems much more like oil than fuel. Can even see a puddle in the back (gold color). This should just be air intake port behind the carb an no real trace of liquids or carbon buildup, correct?
Here is also a video to show the smoke and a high pitch noise that seems abnormal to me. The noise is intermitted and can briefly hear it at the very beginning and then again for a little longer duration when I am filming the smoke.
http://tlwphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Weekend-Warrior-CL4005/42502871_bPwhZp#!i=3347167018&k=qK5vGwb
If you look at the pics again can see the case seal above at the upper left side looks like it is much more saturated than the right side seal and it seems to me the left cylinder is making the high pitched noise.
I am now even getting a little bit of oil dripping off the exhaust pipe tip.
Pulled the spark plug on left cylinder and it was literally dripping with black liquid. With a new one it fired right up and sounded great (i.e. not a flooded out sound) for a couple minutes but then the smoke got really bad and it started to die again.
It started all this almost exactly at 1,000 hours and I do regularly change the oil and filter (not so sure about previous owner who put 80% of these hours on it).
Any chance I don't need a rebuild and am overlooking something else to try?
Maybe just need rings or similar that are perhaps easy to change? If so what is involved? I don't mind doing the work with a little guidance as I do a lot of stuff in the garage but not motor work yet. Or just let a "pro" do the work as too risky? My only convenient option is to have Camping World do the work so not sure if that is a good or bad choice.
I first tried to replacing the fuel pump filter, eliminated the filter at the carb, and new vacuum diaphragm with no luck so went for a full new carb (very easy to replace by the way ... easier than just the diaphragm) but looks like it is on a quick downhill slide as getting a bit of smoke now and it wont run much at all.
When removing the carb found this directly behind the carb:
It is very "moist" and seems much more like oil than fuel. Can even see a puddle in the back (gold color). This should just be air intake port behind the carb an no real trace of liquids or carbon buildup, correct?
Here is also a video to show the smoke and a high pitch noise that seems abnormal to me. The noise is intermitted and can briefly hear it at the very beginning and then again for a little longer duration when I am filming the smoke.
http://tlwphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Weekend-Warrior-CL4005/42502871_bPwhZp#!i=3347167018&k=qK5vGwb
If you look at the pics again can see the case seal above at the upper left side looks like it is much more saturated than the right side seal and it seems to me the left cylinder is making the high pitched noise.
I am now even getting a little bit of oil dripping off the exhaust pipe tip.
Pulled the spark plug on left cylinder and it was literally dripping with black liquid. With a new one it fired right up and sounded great (i.e. not a flooded out sound) for a couple minutes but then the smoke got really bad and it started to die again.
It started all this almost exactly at 1,000 hours and I do regularly change the oil and filter (not so sure about previous owner who put 80% of these hours on it).
Any chance I don't need a rebuild and am overlooking something else to try?
Maybe just need rings or similar that are perhaps easy to change? If so what is involved? I don't mind doing the work with a little guidance as I do a lot of stuff in the garage but not motor work yet. Or just let a "pro" do the work as too risky? My only convenient option is to have Camping World do the work so not sure if that is a good or bad choice.
