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thunderjet · 07-17-2016, 08:57 AM

I was doing my once a month generator exercise. I started my 5.5 gas unit and was walking around rear of coach, when I saw gas dripping on the ground under the generator.

Opening the door and removing gen set cover, I find unit covered with gas it is coming from the fuel filter on the carburetor. Leak is not at inlet or outlet but mid body where top is crimped on to lower half.

If the unit was left running long enough to heat up, I am sure the gas would have lit off with a small explosion opening the snap on cover and basement door. If the blow out did not kill power to the gen fuel pump under the unit it could feed a possible fire. It is now 24 hours later and the more I think about how close to the garage, house gas meter and other flammable toys this was located. wow was I lucky.

The interesting part to this story is a year ago, a new friend I met with the same 5.5 Onan gen had his in for service and the Onan tech told him that that filter is not needed as it is after the fuel pump. The tech told him to change it as "Onan" said it could be a problem. The friend and I are thinking the filter just plugs up. Friend buys a number of the replacement bypass parts designed by Onan. He gives me the part A029S253 and I tossed it in my parts bag.

I am thinking this over maybe Onan had a recall I was not aware of because I don't think they would care if a filter plugged up, with enough concern to manufacture a part to eliminate the filter. And why would a filter plug up after the pump if there is a filter before the pump?

The part, by the way worked and went on very easily.
If you have this setup I would recommend the removal of the filter as I saw no sign of the problem coming.

stay safe TJ

thunderjet · 07-17-2016, 09:01 AM

I found after posting, others have had fires due to this filter leaking.

TJ

TomandGloria · 07-17-2016, 09:33 AM

Had the same experience last year. Bought the replacement part from Onan and no more problems.

The funny thing is the big Cummins Onan Center in Richmond didn't know what I was talking about. I had to do the research and give them the part number.

Pete1985 · 07-17-2016, 09:50 AM

What year ?

gruelens · 07-17-2016, 01:20 PM

I too had a Onan gas filter fail at the crimped seam and leak gasoline while running. Onan no longer recommends two gas filters for the gennys. Onan make a fitting that replaces the filter up near the carb. Then replace the lower gas filter with a new filter and you should be good to go. Note, pinch fuel line with vice grips, ahead of lower filter, when removing filter to avoid a flammable mess.

thetabe49 · 07-26-2016, 12:02 PM

Generator just shut down. Motor has oil. Starter engages

but will not turn the engine over,

mrt_1111 · 07-26-2016, 12:15 PM

Yep, onan did away with the downstream fuel filter a while back.

Skip426 · 07-26-2016, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetabe49

Generator just shut down. Motor has oil. Starter engages

but will not turn the engine over,

thetabe49 ; always best to start your own thread , if you problem isn't exactly the same as the original poster's; more members will see it; , most people only read the original post before responding .
What year of coach is the gen set in ?
Have you checked the battery connections ?