TAC
Orwell, OH
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Every time I start the genset, it quits running after a few minutes. The gas tank is full and it cranks/starts without any trouble. It's an Onan 4k watt generator.
What is the correct procedure for starting it?
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nagel
Missouri
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Joined: 03/24/2005
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Some have a "primer" to get fuel in the system (mine doesn't). Some have said to push the stop button first to prime it, don't think mine has this.
Your carb might be out of adjustment or you might have a gummed up carb. If it has a fuel filter, it might be plugged and needs changing. If you have fuel, it has to be one of the three.
When is the last time it was started? Do you start it regularly?
Snagel
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markandkim
Swansea, MA.
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Check for a fuel shut off valve that may be closed.
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MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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Since you seem to have not used it for a while, did you put Stabil in the gas to stabilize it? Now days gas while deteriorate over a few months. You might have to add fresh gas, or use Sea-foam directly in the carburator.
Procedure for the Onan is to push "Off" side of the "On/Off" button about 15 seconds to prime the engine. Then push "On" to start for 15 or more seconds. Repeat the cycle. If the generator has not been used recently, and the temperature is below 40F, mine will stay running after third try.
If you have used it within about a week they usually will start the first time, sometimes without a prime. Remember to set the "Altitude" adjustment to the correct feet above sea-level for your current location.
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
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ricklord2001
Woodstock, Ga
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Not sure about the Onan but in generators that I've had if they were low on oil they'd start up, run a while and shut down. definately worth checking
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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IF it stops soon as you release the switch: Generator issues. not making power
If it stops soon as you release the switch: Low oil
If it runs for a while and then stops, Clogged filter (Fuel or air) or Low oil
There are possible other issues too but those are the prime suspects.
NOTE: Most Generators run no-load for like 30 seconds to a minute when first started.. THEN the big switch closes. (Transfer switch) so a suggestion might be to trip all your circuit breakrs to OFF, then bring them up one at a time starting 1 minute after the generator starts. It might be a overload killing it and this will identify the circuit.
Also, if that is it, it is a Generator (Engine most likely but not 100%) problem.
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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TAC,
If it starts and runs well then shuts down, there is nothing wrong with your start-up procedure. You say "a few minutes" of run time. Is it really a few minutes or a minute or less. One of the few things that could do this that you can fix is the lube oil level.
If the oil level is up, and there is adequate fuel, then there could well be an internal issue that needs attention.
Matt
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A sailor and his bride and the black dog going to see some dry places in a coach made the year we married.
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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Oil too full can also cause this in an Onan. If too high it will run for a time but the over fill will cause foaming and that will trigger the low oil indicator, but is harder to find.
Good travelin! ........Kirk
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bukhrn
Lanexa, Va
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I had the same problem, it would start fine, & run perfectly for 10 min +/- then would just shut off, I took it to an RV Service Center, where they found that it was a loose wire on the fuel shut off switch, AND a bad fuel pump.
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