Gen won't start - 5500 Onan

[goin2drt]

Can a so-so mechanical person get some advice here?

Above gen in a Georgetown 329. Really low hours, gen not used much as we have been going to full hook ups lately.

It just turns over and over and won't fire. Before taking it in or having a pro look at it, are there some basic things I can do or check?

I am ok mechanically inclined but never on a generator, actually have never even taken off the cover.

[CLIFFTALL]

How much fuel do you have in your tank ? The generator needs at least 1/4-1/3 to operate. Also the fuel in the generator could have varnished from non use. It's recommended to run it monthly for an hour or two under load.

[charliej]

If it's a gas gen, then I use starting fluid like you use on a lawn mower. Also if the batteries are low mine is hard to start. Hopefully once you get it running for awhile it will start the next time on it's own.

[goin2drt]

Fuel is 3/4. My coach batteries are on a tender and the coach started fine and I ran it for about ten minutes before trying.

I will try the starting fluid today to see if that helps. Not exactly sure how to do that but I will check it out.

[goin2drt]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

. It's recommended to run it monthly for an hour or two under load.

Noted and will do this from now on. The RV does sit sometimes for months covered, on tenders and no use. It is at my house so easy enough to go out and fire it up.

[Waiter21]

Remove the air filter, give it a two second blast of starter fluid in the throat of the carb, then try and start it. It may crank, attempt to run for a second, then stop.

If it acts like it was starting, you probably have a bad fuel pump or plugged filter.

[goin2drt]

Originally Posted by Waiter21

Remove the air filter, give it a two second blast of starter fluid in the throat of the carb, then try and start it. It may crank, attempt to run for a second, then stop.

If it acts like it was starting, you probably have a bad fuel pump or plugged filter.

Very helpful. Will give this a go. Thanks.

[Steve Kiemele]

On an gas genny fuel pumps are failure prone. Test by rigging a small tank to provide a gravity feed. If it runs, replace pump. Easy to do. Not expensive via Amazon.

[goin2drt]

It is gas. I have 26 hrs on it total.

I tried the starting fluid. The genny fired up and ran for like 3 seconds and dies.

[twinboat]

Don't replace the fuel pump on a guess.

Remove the gas line at the carburator and hold the start switch on OFF for 20 seconds or so and see if gas pumps out of the line. Catch the gas in a rag.

You may have a PRIME switch out on the generator that will run the fuel pump also. You can hear the pump while priming. It will go fast and then slow down when the pressure goes up.

If you have fuel to the carburetor, you have plugged jets or stuck float inside it.

[Coarsegold]

Originally Posted by goin2drt

It is gas. I have 26 hrs on it total.

I tried the starting fluid. The genny fired up and ran for like 3 seconds and dies.

Likely a fuel pump as it fired right up with starter fluid. I had nearly same issue except mine ran for 10 min and quit, sit a few min and then ran 8 min and quit. This made it real hard to figure out. Turned out the fuel pump got hot internally and shut itself down. Replaced pump and all good. These pumps are weak!
One more test,you could remove the fuel line right below the fuel filter and next to the carb. Point into a small bucket and hit the starter for say 30 seconds. No fuel then it is the pump. I got one on ebay.

[goin2drt]

Tomorrow I will give a go on the fuel line removal and hit the primer. I assume more than the front panel has to come off to get to this fuel line?

[Coarsegold]

My Marquis Gold was easy after front sound cover removed.

[Steve Kiemele]

My fuel pump and line was accessible underneath the coach (under the genny)