Onan 12.5 Kw gen in Cornerstone

[TurboDaveTX]

As we all know, service providers have taken aim at coach owners with unreasonable labor charges, unbelievable markup over retail for parts, then slow or unacceptable service. Getting near the ouch point. Last time I had generator service it cost me over $400, way too much. So I am doing some of my own service beginning with the generator. Ordered air, oil, and fuel filters from Amazon and got oil at WM. Only had two problems, first they must have screwed the oil plug in with an impact tool (took a 1/2” X 18” breaker bar to loosen it, and the other is I can’t find where the fuel filter is. Looked at 3 videos on YouTube about changing fuel filters in this model Onan, they are all different from this one model. Some say there is a bottom panel (there is no bottom panel) others seem to say vaguely it is in the road side pop off door area, but I don’t see it. Does anyone have any idea where it might be?

Last service people charged me 2 hours labor and did not change fuel filter. I changed air, oil, and oil filter in 1.5 hours and spent 15 minutes trying to get oil drain plug out.

[Dynasty_09]

Originally Posted by TurboDaveTX

Attachment 227028

As we all know, service providers have taken aim at coach owners with unreasonable labor charges, unbelievable markup over retail for parts, then slow or unacceptable service. Getting near the ouch point. Last time I had generator service it cost me over $400, way too much. So I am doing some of my own service beginning with the generator. Ordered air, oil, and fuel filters from Amazon and got oil at WM. Only had two problems, first they must have screwed the oil plug in with an impact tool (took a 1/2” X 18” breaker bar to loosen it, and the other is I can’t find where the fuel filter is. Looked at 3 videos on YouTube about changing fuel filters in this model Onan, they are all different from this one model. Some say there is a bottom panel (there is no bottom panel) others seem to say vaguely it is in the road side pop off door area, but I don’t see it. Does anyone have any idea where it might be?

Last service people charged me 2 hours labor and did not change fuel filter. I changed air, oil, and oil filter in 1.5 hours and spent 15 minutes trying to get oil drain plug out.

Dave,
It should be on the lower right corner of the opening when you remove the access door. It's not easy to find because it's about two inches lower than the opening and to the right. You can follow the fuel hoses.
Good luck...

[brobox]

Dave, this make your next oil change much easier. First thing I install on the first oil change. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/femc...an-214372.html

Here is a schematic that Dave post on the filter location.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/gene...ml#post1888554

Instructions posted by Matt.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/gene...ml#post3416409

[lowejug]

Servicing the generator is super easy... 6 quarts of oil and the air filter is at Napa auto parts... did you say 400 bucks to have this done.... wow ... that’s just crazy expensive.. I have heard it all now... do it yourself and fill your tank with the savings..

[TurboDaveTX]

That is exactly what I am doing. They hit the ouch point where the cost of convenience exceeds the utility of the service!

[rprkbr]

Originally Posted by TurboDaveTX

Attachment 227028

As we all know, service providers have taken aim at coach owners with unreasonable labor charges, unbelievable markup over retail for parts, then slow or unacceptable service. Getting near the ouch point. Last time I had generator service it cost me over $400, way too much. So I am doing some of my own service beginning with the generator. Ordered air, oil, and fuel filters from Amazon and got oil at WM. Only had two problems, first they must have screwed the oil plug in with an impact tool (took a 1/2” X 18” breaker bar to loosen it, and the other is I can’t find where the fuel filter is. Looked at 3 videos on YouTube about changing fuel filters in this model Onan, they are all different from this one model. Some say there is a bottom panel (there is no bottom panel) others seem to say vaguely it is in the road side pop off door area, but I don’t see it. Does anyone have any idea wher

Last service people charged me 2 hours labor and did not change fuel filter. I changed air, oil, and oil filter in 1.5 hours and spent 15 minutes trying to get oil drain plug out.

Here is a good video that may help you. I remember one or two bolts on the outside of the frame you remove to be able to pull it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqSXOi05dTw

[Mr_D]

On my 12.5 w/Kubota engine it looks like the fuel filter may be a little hard to do but everything else is in the open.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by lowejug

Servicing the generator is super easy... 6 quarts of oil and the air filter is at Napa auto parts... did you say 400 bucks to have this done.... wow ... that’s just crazy expensive.. I have heard it all now... do it yourself and fill your tank with the savings..

Couldn't agree more. A large local RV dealer the last published price I saw was $350. for a generator oil change. Welcome Snowbirds.

My Toad is harder to change the oil on than a generator. It requires a lift, the generator slides out to you, both take 6 quarts of oil, the toad a more expensive synthetic blend, both filters are about the same in the $4.00 range at NAPA. An oil change for the toad is $29.95 at several location. How they can justify $350. for a generator is beyond me. With the quick drain valve, I can change my oil anywhere with no clean up, use 2 old milk jugs to drain the oil in.

[seabass99]

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/femc...an-214372.html GET 1 of theese

[TurboDaveTX]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

On my 12.5 w/Kubota engine it looks like the fuel filter may be a little hard to do but everything else is in the open.

Success at last!

Trick that they don’t show in YouTube videos are: 1.) There are two bolts in the oil filter mount. You need to remove the nearest bolt and loosen the other bolt. You can turn the oil filter mount up which will move the oil lines for clearance. 2.) there is a clamp on the side of the block with a bolt holding it. Loosen the bolt and turn the clamp up. Final step is remove the two 3/8” machine screws holding the fuel filter mount.

At this point, a little wiggling and out the fuel filter and it’s mount comes out. Disconnect the mount from the filter, disconnect the fuel in and out lines, mount filter mount in new filter, connect fuel in and out lines. The filter and mount slip back in. You will need a lineup tool to match the bolt hole in the generator housing with the holes in the fuel filter mount ( I used a small center punch nut a short Phillips screw driver will work). Once you are able to line up one hole, manipulate the filter housing to locate the other bolt. Tighten the two bolts, realign the clamp you loosened and tighten, realign the oil filter housing hole for the bolt you removed, tighten then tighten the other bolt.

At this point it is hit the prime and you are in business!

[96 Wideglide]

Just remove the center nut that holds the filter to the mount.
Little wiggling, it will come out without touching the oil filter mount, or removing the fuel filter mount.

[TurboDaveTX]

I will try that the next time! Thanks for the pointer!

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Just remove the center nut that holds the filter to the mount.
Little wiggling, it will come out without touching the oil filter mount, or removing the fuel filter mount.

That's what I was told.

[Matt D]

Congratulations Dave, beyond financial gains you will know it’s done correctly and with proper care.

-Matt