Community Forums

jmerritt · 09-07-2013, 05:18 AM

I am going to have to pull the genset on my Limited to replace a bad exhaust manifold. Onan NHE Emerald III 6500 with 1821 hours. Still runs well and uses very little oil but I was wondering if it is time to rebuild since I will have it out. Is 1821 hours a lot for this genset or am I being premature about the rebuild. Haven't done a compression check yet but would like some feedback from those of you who have knowledge on this subject.

Thx John

ahicks · 09-07-2013, 09:25 AM

I would think with regular service you should be able to double that amount of time prior to overhaul with any amount of luck at all?

geno39 · 09-07-2013, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahicks

I would think with regular service you should be able to double that amount of time prior to overhaul with any amount of luck at all?

I agree. My theory has always been if it ain"t broke don't fix it.

jmerritt · 09-09-2013, 08:31 AM

Thx for the replies and I am a believer in "if it isn't broke don't fix it" but figured since I have to pull the genset anyway that if it needed major work that would be a good time to do it. This one has been maintained well so it sounds like I should be able to get a lot more hours out of it. I will do a compression check just to be sure but thx again.

John

becks · 09-09-2013, 11:46 AM

Onan will tell you that there longest lasting gensets are those that are run the most. Just always remember that after shutting down the load on it, you must let it run a few minutes to cool down before turning off. Many don't this, and that is not wise.

RobTetzlaff · 10-07-2013, 09:44 PM

Hi John,
First off I also agree with the "if it ain't broke" belief. But I was also wondering how long you have had your 88 Limited?? I just inherited that exact one. It hasn't run for over 10 years. I just got it running this last weekend. I was wondering if I could pick your brain from time to time? One of my questions that I am dealing with is the brakes. Granted it says that its a John Deere Chassis, But its also a Ford drivetrain. My question is where do you go for brake parts???? and do you get parts for a Ford F53 chassis???
Thanks for any help you can give,
Rob

Mr_D · 10-07-2013, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becks

Onan will tell you that there longest lasting gensets are those that are run the most. Just always remember that after shutting down the load on it, you must let it run a few minutes to cool down before turning off. Many don't this, and that is not wise.

Is that in the owners manual someplace? I know it's not for our PowerTech gen set. And I don't remember seeing it in our previous Genajunk one either.

94-Newmar · 10-08-2013, 04:38 AM

Need to pull and check the brushes (suggest replacement due to their age - they're cheap)

If you "pull" it out, might I suggest replacing the drive belt and tensioner pulley.

Argosy · 10-09-2013, 12:29 PM

How does it start and run? Does it use any oil?

Check the compression, that along with oil consumption how it runs will give you a good idea if it needs internal work. Onan parts aren't cheap, you might as well use them up before replacing them.

tedgard01 · 10-09-2013, 12:39 PM

Are you pulling or is it being pulled at the shop? If you are paying to pull it, that cost will be most of the cost, so I would say to do the brushes, housing around the brushes and the belt as suggested before.

If the brushes break it will probably collapse the housing and melt inside. That could happen in as little as 450 hrs. Don't ask me how I know that....

Swamp Man · 10-09-2013, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Is that in the owners manual someplace? I know it's not for our PowerTech gen set. And I don't remember seeing it in our previous Genajunk one either.

Our house generator, a Kohler 35Kw always goes through a cool down phase prior to shutting down. Allows the generator end to cool off and the engine to run without a load which cools it off. I have always run any generator I am using through a 5 min cool down prior to shutdown.

Pds47 · 10-09-2013, 02:53 PM

Gen set can run long hours before rebuild seen them with 18000 hours and still running

Argosy · 10-09-2013, 04:36 PM

Do the Emeralds have drive belts? I thought they were direct drive, 1800 rpm motors?

jmerritt · 10-09-2013, 04:40 PM

Thx for all of the info. I have looked at all of my manuals for the Onan and can't find any reference to a drive belt or tensioner. Am I missing something? Also, Rob I responded to your private message and just want to be sure you received it.

John