Onan Generator question

[greyhawk]

HI i have question on my Onan Generator. after starting generator what
would cause it to surge while running ? instead a smooth idle greyhawk

[zippo]

Check the altitude adjustment. Mine moves on it's own and when it starts surging I have to re-adjust it.

[Ratman]

I have an older 4K Onan and recently had a surging problem. I found two problems. First there are two adjustment mixture screws. The "back" one was missing a small o ring. I replaced that and it seemed to run better for a while. Again it started to surge. This time I removed the entire carb (Note - It is easier to just pull the entire intake manifold with the carb attached than to try to disassemble the parts in the bay - At least it worked for me). I then checked the float valve and found a bunch of crap under the seat. Flushed it out and reassembled and now it purrs...

Good luck

[doc]

Fuel filter trying to clog??

[Gary - K7GLD]

My 4kw Onan does that if the altitude (mixture) screw on the bottom of the float bowl is set too lean - for too high an altitude. Try turning it a bit at a time towards the lower altitude direction - mine smooths right out and puuuuuurs like a kitten when adjusted properly.

Along those lines, especially for generators and other smaller gas engines that only run occasionally, then sit idle for long periods of time - that tends to allow fuel sitting in the carb float bowl and up in the jets, to turn into a varnish-like material that's pretty much impossible to remove without completely dis-assembling the carb.

Do your gensets, lawnmowers and other small engines a break, and either RUN them occasionally long enough to come up to normal temperature - and/or treat the fuel with Stabil fuel conditioner to extend the life of the fuel. It's LOTS easier, cheaper, and less frustrating than trying to correct problems AFTER the damage has been done!