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dwertz · 05-25-2019, 05:06 PM

Our Onan 12.5k generator makes a “squealing” sound while running. It runs fine but I’d like to figure out what the noise is. Any ideas?

https://youtu.be/F-2n0dzee4E

96 Wideglide · 05-25-2019, 05:18 PM

Kinda sounds like your fan belt is slipping

Finance · 05-25-2019, 05:57 PM

Sounds like a dry bearing to me. Cross your fingers and pray it's just the belt.

Massparanoia · 05-25-2019, 06:03 PM

Are you the original owner? Cummins warranties the drive system for life for the original owner.

dwertz · 05-26-2019, 06:36 AM

I’m the 2nd owner. Just purchased it a month ago.

The PO told me that he had issues in the past with it over heating under heavy load but only while moving. He rigged up some things to change the airflow around the generator and said he never had an issue again.

I’ve read that some people change that fan belt every couple years. I don’t think this one has ever been changed and it is 14 years old.

Massparanoia · 05-26-2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwertz

I’m the 2nd owner. Just purchased it a month ago.

The PO told me that he had issues in the past with it over heating under heavy load but only while moving. He rigged up some things to change the airflow around the generator and said he never had an issue again.

I’ve read that some people change that fan belt every couple years. I don’t think this one has ever been changed and it is 14 years old.

If you’re not the first owner I believe they warranty the parts for life but not the labor.

dwertz · 05-26-2019, 03:53 PM

Lifetime? Really? That’s great to hear.

I’ll call Cummins on Tuesday to see how they want me to handle it.

dwertz · 06-04-2019, 10:27 AM

I stopped in to my local Cummins shop (lucky to have one 3 miles from home).

They listened to it and decided it was probably a loose belt. The tech and I spent about 90 minutes taking the top cover off and adjusting the belt. There was probably an inch or more of deflection and now much less. So far it sounds 100% better.

I was shocked when I went into the office to see what the damage was going to be. Total charge? $0

This is the second time I’ve been to this shop, first time was to get the codes read. They didn’t charge me for that either.

Really nice people there. And the tech I worked with (both times) was really cool.

So I’m crossing my fingers that it was just a loose belt.