Community Forums

NealC · 10-13-2019, 11:18 AM

A few of us here, not naming names, certainly not me, haven't been doing good at checking the coolant level in the GEN. Of course check your oil too. Cummins/Onan did a great job here at the balloon fiesta topping some of us off, maybe getting us above the MIN level, but of course that wasn't me too!

So check your GEN fluids peeps, you may be surprised. Get the diluted 50/50 premixed from Cummins.

Renipladlo · 10-13-2019, 04:09 PM

Ok Neil, which version of the coolant is what is needed? I have sticker on back of coach, telling me which type of coolant to get, it is as descriptive as nothing. I believe the manual said to not use OAT, but don't have one in front of me, so cannot quote it. Cummins does not allow us to download a spare one and keep on PC, they want you to purchase it. Have also not checked Freightliner site to see if that has downloadable one. Still looking into it. It is a good idea to check engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant about an hour after you arrive at your last stop/campground for the day. At least every other day is most likely ok. I try to check genset fluids weekly, and make note of the hours on the meter since I am fast coming upon 1st oil change for it. That is required at 50 hours of use. Think I'm at 45 or so. After that one, will do annual service on oil/filter and fuel filter every other year service interval. That worked fine for last coach, which we had for 11 years.

wildtoad · 10-14-2019, 05:09 PM

Wow glad I have a gas gen that doesn’t need coolant. Heck it doesn’t even have a filter. Just oil to change. One less thing for this old geezer to remember to do.

Algoma · 10-14-2019, 08:28 PM

The generator uses a regular ethylene/glycol antifreeze, just like your car.

96 Wideglide · 10-14-2019, 08:37 PM

Watch for leaks in the expansion tank!

Onan made a habit of ovetightening these screws and splitting the plastic tank.
It will leak right on top of the generator unit, and can destroy it as well

!!

96 Wideglide · 10-14-2019, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildtoad

Wow glad I have a gas gen that doesn’t need coolant. Heck it doesn’t even have a filter.

Yeah, it will last 1/8th of the life a well maintained, water cooled, diesel generator will.

NealC · 10-14-2019, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renipladlo

Ok Neil, which version of the coolant is what is needed? I have sticker on back of coach, telling me which type of coolant to get, it is as descriptive as nothing. I believe the manual said to not use OAT, but don't have one in front of me, so cannot quote it. Cummins does not allow us to download a spare one and keep on PC, they want you to purchase it. Have also not checked Freightliner site to see if that has downloadable one. Still looking into it. It is a good idea to check engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant about an hour after you arrive at your last stop/campground for the day. At least every other day is most likely ok. I try to check genset fluids weekly, and make note of the hours on the meter since I am fast coming upon 1st oil change for it. That is required at 50 hours of use. Think I'm at 45 or so. After that one, will do annual service on oil/filter and fuel filter every other year service interval. That worked fine for last coach, which we had for 11 years.

You can get the coolant at a Cummins/Onan service center.

Sidewinder4 · 10-15-2019, 05:08 AM

Also do not forget to clean radiator. Mine is on the bottom of generator and gets very dirty with dirt and grime.

wildtoad · 10-15-2019, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Yeah, it will last 1/8th of the life a well maintained, water cooled, diesel generator will.

No argument there other than I’ve owned 20 year old mh’s and the orig gen still going strong. Don’t plan on owning this one long enough to matter.

Hit_the_Rhod · 10-15-2019, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renipladlo

Ok Neil, which version of the coolant is what is needed? I have sticker on back of coach, telling me which type of coolant to get, it is as descriptive as nothing. I believe the manual said to not use OAT, but don't have one in front of me, so cannot quote it. Cummins does not allow us to download a spare one and keep on PC, they want you to purchase it. .

If all you want is the info on your PC, just take a pic of it and save the jpeg on your PC.