'89 Fleetwood Jamboree Rallye Generator

[Jackfh]

Hi, Hoping I can get some advice here. We bought this class C just after turkey day and took to to Tuscon for a 9 day trip in Dec. Had a blast, our first Rv experience and were able to bring our little beasts as well. Anyway, using the generator was not fun. Trouble starting it, keeping it running, etc. I plan to give it a tune up and see how it does but will most likely look to replace it. My question is, is my best bet to look for an identical one ws/ less hours or should I just get a different one totally? I'm thinking a nice Honda generator but is there any way to stuff that in the same compartment and hook it up to my fuel line and control module inside the cabin? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!

[Arch Hoagland]

Once a year I pour 6 cans of Seafoam in my 75 gallon gas tank just before a long trip. On that trip I run the generator one hour so that the Seafoam can clean it out..

My generator is now 15 years old and still running great, all I've ever done is replace the oil and filter.

I'd suggest running a really strong mixture of Seafoam through it for an hour or so. Can't hurt and will help your engine too.

[TXiceman]

Honda and like generators are not designed or certified to be place in enclosed compartments for RV use. In order to keep it onboard, you will need to go back with a like unit, or come up with an exterior mount on the rear bumper.

Ken

[Bill Gail]

Originally Posted by Jackfh

Hi, Hoping I can get some advice here. We bought this class C just after turkey day and took to to Tuscon for a 9 day trip in Dec. Had a blast, our first Rv experience and were able to bring our little beasts as well. Anyway, using the generator was not fun. Trouble starting it, keeping it running, etc. I plan to give it a tune up and see how it does but will most likely look to replace it. My question is, is my best bet to look for an identical one ws/ less hours or should I just get a different one totally? I'm thinking a nice Honda generator but is there any way to stuff that in the same compartment and hook it up to my fuel line and control module inside the cabin? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!

Need a little more info.

Make and model of generator. Number of hours on generator.

Normally , most genny issues are carburetor related . Plus , a 1989 coach will need all the rubber fuel lines replaced with ethanol resistant lines.

Don't throw out the genny just yet . Unless they've been abused , they are fairly bulletproof.

[THenne1713]

Typical SYMPTOMS of a failing/ intermittent FUEL PUMP: 1) Hard start; 2) Surges several minutes when started, (may/ may not smooth out), may then run fine for 45-90-minutes, or maybe only 5-10-minutes, then surges and dies with no restart until cooled 15-30-minutes. GEN FUEL FILTER seldom clog, as A) Fuel pickup NOT on bottom of tank, but order spare FFilter when you order pump, then put old filter (if good) or new into spare parts box. For this same reason, GENS seldom pickup water, which also sits on bottom of main tank, unless you really get a LOT of water. BUT OLD/ STALE FUEL will run WORSE in a 1-2-cyl GEN that a 8-10-cyl engine. AFTER a PUMP replacement, run GEN at least 2-hours UNDER LOAD to test/ verify. DO NOT crank starter more than about 3-seconds, then PAUSE 3-5 seconds to allow float bowl to fill, most start on next crank. WARNING: HOLDING STARTER in crank mode will blow your starter. LOW OIL or clogged oil filter (typically) will allow engine to Start, but then dies AFTER START button released. START/ CRANK bypasses OP switch during cranking to allow spark/ start. Some (the Onan Micro/ KY) line use a OIL LEVEL FLOAT vs Oil Pressure Switch. How MANY hours ON YOUR 89 GEN? p.s. WHILE FUEL PUMP CHANGE SHOULD/COULD BE A 15-MINUTE JOB, PLAN ON 3-HOUR+ DIY FIRST EXPERIENCE :-) "Ya know, just two screws and a short metal fuel line"

[Bill Gail]

Originally Posted by THenne1713

Typical SYMPTOMS of a failing/ intermittent FUEL PUMP: 1) Hard start; 2) Surges several minutes when started, (may/ may not smooth out), may then run fine for 45-90-minutes, or maybe only 5-10-minutes, then surges and dies with no restart until cooled 15-30-minutes. GEN FUEL FILTER seldom clog, as A) Fuel pickup NOT on bottom of tank, but order spare FFilter when you order pump, then put old filter (if good) or new into spare parts box. For this same reason, GENS seldom pickup water, which also sits on bottom of main tank, unless you really get a LOT of water. BUT OLD/ STALE FUEL will run WORSE in a 1-2-cyl GEN that a 8-10-cyl engine. AFTER a PUMP replacement, run GEN at least 2-hours UNDER LOAD to test/ verify. DO NOT crank starter more than about 3-seconds, then PAUSE 3-5 seconds to allow float bowl to fill, most start on next crank. WARNING: HOLDING STARTER in crank mode will blow your starter. LOW OIL or clogged oil filter (typically) will allow engine to Start, but then dies AFTER START button released. START/ CRANK bypasses OP switch during cranking to allow spark/ start. Some (the Onan Micro/ KY) line use a OIL LEVEL FLOAT vs Oil Pressure Switch. How MANY hours ON YOUR 89 GEN? p.s. WHILE FUEL PUMP CHANGE SHOULD/COULD BE A 15-MINUTE JOB, PLAN ON 3-HOUR+ DIY FIRST EXPERIENCE :-) "Ya know, just two screws and a short metal fuel line"

Prior post makes a good point.

2 things ....

1 - The generator needs a minimum of a 1/4 tank of gas to run . This is to allow a safety margin so the generator can't run the fuel tank dry . This ensures there is gas for the coach engine.

To check the fuel pump disconnect the carburator fuel line and put the end of hose in a container.
Crank the generator and watch for fuel flow . If gas flows the carburetor is probably in need of a rebuild . Rebuild Kits are readily available , or Google "Certified Mechanic" for your brand of generator .

2- Check the oil level in the generator . They have "low oil shutoffs" to protect the generator . Causes similar symptoms.

When we purchased our MH the generator had less than 100hrs. on it , but it was doing the same thing as yours . Rebuilt carburetor solved the problem .

[THenne1713]

One quick p

[THenne1713]

QUICK TIP/ WARNING: If your GEN will (run fairly well without surging for 10-90-minutes), (=carb good) problem 99% is NOT Carb...carb issues NEVER "fix themselves", but on many, carb alone is $300+ parts and add labor and THEN Fuel pump, you can easily pay a SHOP $600-$1200. (and) Not to discredit Bill Gail, BUT simply getting fuel to flow from a pump does NOT determine a bad/ failing/ intermittent pump that can become intermittent after 90-minutes or 10-minutes. The Onan service manual test is PRESSURE, (must be in a certain range) but that is difficult for owners, esp. w/ metal fuel line/ fittings/ test gage, etc, and unproductive when a $25-$35 (AMAZON) pump replacement is probably much FASTER and definitive. And still holds true if pump is GENUINE ONAN at $100+? The Money you SAVE DIY will pay for any/ all tools you might need and still buy many steak dinners, as long and YOU MAKE SURE A FUEL leak NEVER hits a hot engine or spark area and burns up the rig. Really, right tools= T27 TORX bit and LINE WRENCH/ FLARE NUT WRENCH SET (SAE) + some common tools and patience, DIY can save $600-$1000? LUCK to ya, Hope this helps.

[avfordguy]

First off, what brand and model do you have? Being a 89 vintage there are issues that crop up due to age.
1. Fuel line from tank to genset gets cracked and sometimes develop pin holes so the genset sucks air instead of fuel.
2. Fuel quality, being a 89 the carb probably has a varnish coating inside, seafoam might cure it. I have had good results by using a slave fuel line to genset with a 1 gallon gas can mixing 50-50 seafood and gas. Run genset at least 50% load for 1/2 gallon, shut down and wait 1/2 hour, then start genset adding 50% load,run for 10 min, shut down, wait 5 min start again. Most all gensets start off at wide open throttle, this helps remove/expell the varnish deposits.
Please respond, as we are all here to help.

[Bill Gail]

Originally Posted by THenne1713

QUICK TIP/ WARNING: If your GEN will (run fairly well without surging for 10-90-minutes), (=carb good) problem 99% is NOT Carb...carb issues NEVER "fix themselves", but on many, carb alone is $300+ parts and add labor and THEN Fuel pump, you can easily pay a SHOP $600-$1200. (and) Not to discredit Bill Gail, BUT simply getting fuel to flow from a pump does NOT determine a bad/ failing/ intermittent pump that can become intermittent after 90-minutes or 10-minutes. The Onan service manual test is PRESSURE, (must be in a certain range) but that is difficult for owners, esp. w/ metal fuel line/ fittings/ test gage, etc, and unproductive when a $25-$35 (AMAZON) pump replacement is probably much FASTER and definitive. And still holds true if pump is GENUINE ONAN at $100+? The Money you SAVE DIY will pay for any/ all tools you might need and still buy many steak dinners, as long and YOU MAKE SURE A FUEL leak NEVER hits a hot engine or spark area and burns up the rig. Really, right tools= T27 TORX bit and LINE WRENCH/ FLARE NUT WRENCH SET (SAE) + some common tools and patience, DIY can save $600-$1000? LUCK to ya, Hope this helps.

I based my suggestion on the fact that many generators are low hours and sit unused for extended periods of time . = carb issue

Your suggestion would seem to point to a high hour well used generator . = fuel pump issue

Both are valid points .

If we had more info from the PO we could better pin point the problem.

At least we tried .

[THenne1713]

Bill Gail, valid theory, but (actually) my fuel pump experience was high age (18+yo) and LOW hours (210-Hrs when I bought rig); would (run 45-minutes, die, not restart until cooled, surge before dying and after start); months later would only run 10-min before dying. Pump disassembly revealed only a white clay residue streak on side of pump piston; (Seafoam) MIGHT have cured pump issue, BUT $25 pump change was effective and cheap and faster. Now, 2yrs later, GEN= easy start, stable and reliable. Suspicion OP response slowed by weather, maybe we will hear back OP success in near future?

[Jackfh]

Thank you. I've been dumping Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant &
Injector Cleaner in every time I put gas in it..

[Jackfh]

Thanks for the reply! It's an Onan Emerald 4BGE SPEC F with 537.5 hrs. Between weather and work, I haven't had time to dig into it much.

[avfordguy]

With a 50 gallon tank, any carb/ injection cleaner induced into the tank is worthless, best bet is use a slave tank with seafoam for the generator.