Community Forums

Kenneth Neal · 01-29-2023, 04:59 PM

I have an Onan 5500 generator and I do my own oil changes. Why is it so hard to add oil? I can only add about one ounce before it overflows. Then I have to wait about 15 seconds before I can add another ounce. It takes forever to add 2 quarts. Of course I fill the filter before adding oil to the crankcase.

shootist · 01-29-2023, 06:01 PM

The fill hose is kinked

wopachop · 01-29-2023, 06:36 PM

Its normal. Pour slow if you measure your oil.

Kenneth Neal · 01-30-2023, 10:07 AM

There is no fill hose.

shootist · 01-30-2023, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth Neal

There is no fill hose.

It’s under the neck you are pouring into.

Vato · 01-30-2023, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootist

It’s under the neck you are pouring into.

interesting... never knew that.... may be the culprit

Nwcid · 01-30-2023, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootist

It’s under the neck you are pouring into.

That must be for a specific install. Mine fills right into the sump like most other small engines. My dip stick is solid plastic and only a couple of inches long. Most do not have a fill hose or extended dipstick.

The "problem" the OP reports is a common theme.

shootist · 01-30-2023, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwcid

That must be for a specific install. Mine fills right into the sump like most other small engines. My dip stick is solid plastic and only a couple of inches long. Most do not have a fill hose or extended dipstick.

The "problem" the OP reports is a common theme.

My apologies, I read 7500, not 5500. Small print on the phone. Sorry guys.

DR60 · 01-30-2023, 07:04 PM

I used to have this problem filling small engines and compressors. I replaced the drain plugs with a valve, and after draining the oil I would pump the new oil in through the drain valve. I used the same pump that I pumped outboard oil in with. It is much cleaner this way. DR

Kenneth Neal · 01-31-2023, 10:16 AM

Thanks for the replies. I too have used the hand pump I use for putting oil in the lower gear case of my outboard motor. It's slow, but it beats pouring it in by hand.

Jandcinok · 02-05-2023, 06:41 PM

Where you add oil, is it the same hole the dipstick uses? If not, and if the dipstick fit is tight, maybe removing the dipstick will help.

My tractor has a 1/2-3/4” hole to add oil. I found a flexible neck that screws onto an oil bottle, and the end is tapered small enough to fit in the hole. I can force feed a qt through that hole pretty quickly. Otherwise it took forever to pour qts through it.