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12-07-2011, 03:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Petersburg, Michigan
Posts: 108
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Genny wont start
Just got new MH yesterday. The gen cranks over like crazy but doesnt sound like it's getting fuel. Has extremely low hours(38) and just ran a week ago for 6 hours. Wondering if it has it's own fuel filter that I can replace or if there is something else easy I might be overlooking since this is new to me?
Also I assume the gen has its own fuel pump. If so is it an electric fuel pump and is it in the fuel tank(hope not) or mounted on or near the genny?
I read the thread on priming and mine doesn't appear to have that capability. It is an Onan 4.0 Microlite but I'm not sure what it means by spec A-H and spec J. Is it referring to a letter in the model # or S/N? It only has 2 switches. One is the ckt bkr and the other is a rocker switch labeled start and stop(no "off" position).
Thanks for any help.
__________________
Bob Kulhanek 2000, 36 ft, Damon Intruder, Ford V-10, 5000 Onan Gen, 2 slides
If it won't budge, hit it harder or get a bigger hammer.
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12-07-2011, 03:07 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 1,083
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Do you have more than 1/4 tank of fuel, Generator suction only goes 3/4 into tank.
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Kathy & George Zimm
Mickleton, NJ
2006 Coachman Epic & 2013 Chevy Equinox Toad
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12-07-2011, 03:21 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Anywhere I want to be.
Posts: 913
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Also, check the oil level.
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1996 Newmar Mountain Aire. 3760 CA
2006 to 2015 Boxer named Cash (aka Cassius Clay)
2016 - Boxer named Chevy
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12-07-2011, 03:53 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Petersburg, Michigan
Posts: 108
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Yes. But to be clear it was just over 1/4 tank when I first tried. I filled it to just over 3/4 on the way home and still just keeps cranking. Also, yes, oil level was the first thing I checked.
Are you saying the gen won't run anytime there is less than 3/4 of a tank? That sounds like too much chance for genny to not work when you need it. Very few people keep their fuel tank above 3/4 at all times. I know I always fill mine when I'm around 1/4.
Thanks for the input
__________________
Bob Kulhanek 2000, 36 ft, Damon Intruder, Ford V-10, 5000 Onan Gen, 2 slides
If it won't budge, hit it harder or get a bigger hammer.
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12-07-2011, 04:28 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 419
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RLKBOB, what he was saying is you need to be over 1/4 fuel or so. The rig is set up so if you are running the gen set it will shut down around 1/4. That leaves you enough fuel to get to a station.
I have a buddy who has the 400 in his C, does the same as yours, cranks but will not start. I told him to check/replace the fuel filter. If that does not work going to fill the bowl drain with carb cleaner and try to start it. He does not want to use starting fluid unless we can not get it to start anyother way. However his has not been run in over a year. And yes, we did check the bowl for gum, but he is sure that his late fater in law drained it prior to putting it away. I will be watching this post for other things to check. It is getting fire, so I am sure it is a fuel issue on his.
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George & Julie
06 Diplomat PDQ
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12-07-2011, 04:43 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Petersburg, Michigan
Posts: 108
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That makes sense, thanks.
If it stopped working b/c the fuel tank was down to 1/4 and the Genny lost fuel how much cranking would it take after filling the gas tank to get fuel through all the lines and back into the genny and get it running?
__________________
Bob Kulhanek 2000, 36 ft, Damon Intruder, Ford V-10, 5000 Onan Gen, 2 slides
If it won't budge, hit it harder or get a bigger hammer.
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12-07-2011, 05:25 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Petersburg, Michigan
Posts: 108
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Got it running.
Fuel level must've been the problem. The PO ran the gas tank down to 1/4 and the genny lost suction. I filled it up but apparently it takes a lot of cranking to get the fuel lines filled back up all the way to the carb on the genny. Running smooth and strong(it should be with only 38 hours). I'm gonna leave it running for an hour or two with the furnace on. Now that it's running there are absolutely zero problems with our new purchase. 
First good bit of info is keep fuel level above 1/4 tank. I'm sure there will be many more lessons learned as time goes on. Glad to have a good forum with lots of info and helpful members. Thanks!
__________________
Bob Kulhanek 2000, 36 ft, Damon Intruder, Ford V-10, 5000 Onan Gen, 2 slides
If it won't budge, hit it harder or get a bigger hammer.
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12-07-2011, 07:10 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Snowbird - Waterford Mi and Citrus Springs Fl.
Posts: 3,609
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I started my 10K Onan diesel one day, not even thinking about how much fuel I had on board. It didn't even run 30 seconds. That's when I learned about priming...
Your's won't run the fuel pump after holding down on the stop button for a few seconds?
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1997 37' HR Endeavor, 275hp Cat, Freightliner
03 CR-V Blue Ox, Ready Brake
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12-08-2011, 11:04 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,528
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You will find a number simular to 4KYFA26100J on the generator model number plate. The last letter, "J" in this example, represents the "Spec" number of the unit. Only Spec "J" and later models had priming capability. The START-STOP switch would read START-STOP/PRIME if the PRIME capability was there.
Dave
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12-08-2011, 01:19 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Petersburg, Michigan
Posts: 108
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Good to know, thanks. I wonder if there is a retrofit to allow the older Gens to prime. Without priming capability it seems like a lot of unnecessary strain on the starter cranking it over and over until the line fills with gas. Then again this should only be an issue if you run the fuel tank too low so I guess if the fuel tank level stays high enough priming shouldn't be necessary(ok done rambling now). Thanks again
__________________
Bob Kulhanek 2000, 36 ft, Damon Intruder, Ford V-10, 5000 Onan Gen, 2 slides
If it won't budge, hit it harder or get a bigger hammer.
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