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DDuran · 06-14-2019, 04:55 PM

So we recently got a 1999 Four Winds Thor for a pretty good deal. I was looking at the generator because the previous owners said it worked once and never worked again.

I looked at the run time meter and it only had 124 hours on it. Additionally they told me that the original owner only used it once as well.

It's a Onan 4000 Generator
I'm not sure how long it's been since it's been used. But I bought a new battery today and some oil so I can go ahead and change that out. Is there anything else I should check or just replace because it's been so long? Fuel filter, air filter, oil filter, spark plug etc.

avfordguy · 06-14-2019, 05:57 PM

I assume it's a 4000 onan microlite? 4k onans are noted for gummed up carburetors, even sitting more than a couple of months will do one harm due to the fuel we get today. My suggestion based on hours is just change the oil first, then remove fuel line from carb, hold down the off switch for a few seconds, that is suppose to prime ( turn on fuel pump) if you get fuel then reattach fuel line, make sure choke linkage is not bound up, it should start, if it does go to the "sea foam" website and there are links on how to clean the carb. Good luck

Hooligan · 06-14-2019, 07:06 PM

Here's the manual for the Onan KY 4000 generator, gas and propane models. This model does not have an oil filter. There is also a diesel KY...
https://www.norwall.com/product_pdfs..._om_2_2018.pdf

avfordguy · 06-14-2019, 10:18 PM

Had a 1997 onan
n 4k, solid other than rodents made a house in it and chewed the wires, had to drop it and pull the cover and repair, sold it with 1500 hrs still running strong.

1ciderdog · 06-24-2019, 05:39 PM

Kind of pirating a post but my 4K runs good but will shutdown going down the highway while running the house AC. I ran it today for an hour with no load then 90 minutes with AC on -while parked at our daughters house. Heading out in the morning back up I-5 into Oregon. I'll run it then and see if it keeps running the AC without shutting down. Anyone experience similar?

avfordguy · 06-24-2019, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

Kind of pirating a post but my 4K runs good but will shutdown going down the highway while running the house AC. I ran it today for an hour with no load then 90 minutes with AC on -while parked at our daughters house. Heading out in the morning back up I-5 into Oregon. I'll run it then and see if it keeps running the AC without shutting down. Anyone experience similar?

Had the same issue, replaced fuel pump with a direct replacement Airtex from a.azon, when I went to swap it out I figured that the onan pump probably didn't like the heat, as it sits in the far corner and does not get any airflow that I can see, once I changed the pump it's never quit again even in 100 degree heat. My 4k would run ok down the road at 80 degrees ambient but would quit anything past 90f.

stevemoores · 06-26-2019, 03:40 PM

There's some good videos on YouTube. One shows pulling the fuel line an pulling fuel from a gas-can with Seafoam in it.

Change the oil, change the spark plug, change the air filter, all cheap to do, air filter is on amazon.

Carb can't be rebuilt, but is cheap to replace.