Generator mainenance tip

[cardiffman]

I have an Onan 5500 in my Adventurer. After experiencing an overheat shutoff in the hottest weather this summer, I was tinkering with the set, checking oil, looking at everything.

My friend came by and I showed him how quiet it ran. At the time I had the cover off. When it started, it blew dust, bugs, straw and all sorts of debris out of the front.

Apparently, at least on my model, the fan can suck up debris and lodge it against the access panel and ultimately restrict the flow of air, thus causing the overheat problem. Daaah!

I have let it run on a hot day since that event and it apparently fixed the problem.

A self-fixing problem. Whadda ya know! Hint: Let your gen run occasionally with the cover(s) removed to clean out any debris.

[bachler]

Now that is one of the better posts I have seen..;; Had a problem fixed it and shared it with us . so we can do a bit on maintenance Ourselves; Thanks.life is good. Better if the genset works.

[jdefant]

May be a dumb question but it is easy to remove the covers?

[1999intrigue]

I'm sorry that I wasn't clear. I'm talking about the large access cover. My generator is located on the left/rear corner of the coach, behind the wheels where it is subject to picking up dust and dirt that collects around the cooling fins. I had looked at it before, but I hadn't let it run with the cover off.

[DrScott]

I have run the genset without the cover several times, never noticed the stuff come out and never had a overheat issue. I run it open after I change the oil, filter, etc to look for leaks and so on. Good to know there is a added benefit!!

[pyoots]

Another little pearl of wisdom............ I had my Onan 5500 throw a belt and when I arrived in Salt Lake City, discovered that it had a lifetime warranty including labor to replace the belt. Excellent service and professionalism. Kudos to Cummins Onan West in Salt Lake City.