Onan 5500 surging (my fix)

[jscribn1]

After having problems with surging on my Onan I refered to this great site to read all I could about this problem. My 02 Southwind was bought used and didn't see much use so I suspected a carb issue. After all my readings I was disappointed that the carb is said to be "unserviceable" by most threads. I did find a few that said otherwise so I took the carb out. Disassembled it, even the float bowl came off, cleaned with carb cleaner and compressed air. I installed it and the gen. fired right up and hasn't surged since. I just wanted to share my success with anyone who might be having the same issues with the 5500 Marquis Gold. I assume mine wasn't too bad and others may not have my luck. Hope this helps.

[Arch Hoagland]

I used five cans of sea foam or Techron about once a year in my 75 gallon gas tank just before a long trip where I will burn through all the fuel. I run the generator for at least an hour on those trips to clean the carb of my Onan 5500.

Haven't noticed any surging so it must be working.

[jscribn1]

Seafoam is my next purchase. Is this product better than using Stabil? I want to use an additive but want the best one out there so I don't have any more issues.

[Arch Hoagland]

I don't know if it's better or worse. All I know is the guy I took my lawn mower to after it wouldn't start said that's what they used to clean the carb.

They suggested I use it to keep the carb clean and that's all they ever use. Of course my lawn mower isn't a 8.1 V8 but gas crud is gas crud.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jscribn1 After having problems with surging on my Onan I refered to this great site to read all I could about this problem. My 02 Southwind was bought used and didn't see much use so I suspected a carb issue. After all my readings I was disappointed that the carb is said to be "unserviceable" by most threads. I did find a few that said otherwise so I took the carb out. Disassembled it, even the float bowl came off, cleaned with carb cleaner and compressed air. I installed it and the gen. fired right up and hasn't surged since. I just wanted to share my success with anyone who might be having the same issues with the 5500 Marquis Gold. I assume mine wasn't too bad and others may not have my luck. Hope this helps.

when i shut my onan 5500 genny down and do not intend to restart it for a few days, i drain the carb float bowl.
the float bowl fills and primes easily using the priming pump on the genny.

[puttin]

I have used Star Tron for a long time....never any starting problems or mechanical issues...just my opinion.