Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-08-2012, 08:44 AM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
generator starts n runs but dies after 3-4 min

94 Itasca Suncruiser 34 RA with Onan 5000 generator.
The gen has been running fine and out of nowhere this problem popped up.
I disconnected the fuel line at the gen and there was no fuel. I blew air back the line towards the main fuel tank and fuel came flowing very much. I connected the line and it fired up and ran good for about 3 min and died like it ran out of fuel? I did this a couple of times and the same thing happened. I traced the line back to the main fuel tank the best that I could and couldn't quite follow it completely. I couldn't find any filters.
1. Should there be a gravity flow of fuel to the gen or is there some type of fuel pump? I disconnected the line one the tank side of of the elect fuel pump at the gen.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
James
94bago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 08:50 AM   #2
Winnebago Camper
 
gauto5150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northwest Indiana
Posts: 9
Try the fuel filter. Mine clogged out of NOWHERE and I was scratching my head to figure out what was wrong.
Sometimes it's the simplest thing.
__________________
2004 Fleetwood Discovery 3126 CAT engine
gauto5150 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 09:09 AM   #3
Winnebago Owner
 
stearn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lambertville Mi
Posts: 174
Thanks I think I'll be changing my filter!
__________________
Adventurer 38R/ now 26 Class C

Equinox Toad
stearn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 09:43 AM   #4
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Palisade CO
Posts: 895
There is a fuel pump. There should be two filters - at least there was on 2000 model years and up until they switched to one. I say 2000 model years because that is the oldest I have helped someone with. I suspect the older ones also have two filters. Some time after 2004 they changed to one filter. When they had two filters there was one that screwed into the fuel pump. There was another one just under the carb. If replacing the filters doesn't help you might want to try disconnecting the fuel line and running a new short one to a can of fuel and see if that helps. You could disconnect the line from the output of the pump and see if it is pumping.
__________________
Clay WA5NMR - Ex Snowbird - 1 year, Ex Full timer for 11 years - 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N Workhorse chassis. Honda Accord toad.
Clay L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 10:25 AM   #5
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 49
I had a similar problem. I found a simple and inexpensive fix: New sparkplug! I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but in my case it was the proximate cause of the erratic performance.

Be sure to take the specifications to the Onan dealer, or make a call. Each gen set calls for a different plug.

My dealer told me that spark plugs have a short life in gen sets and seem to cure a host of problems.

Good luck . Let us know if that works.
__________________
'06 Adventurer. Number 12 motorhome over 51 years of RV'ing.
cardiffman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 03:18 PM   #6
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
gen problem

I did check the plug. I cleaned it and re gapped it. It looked good. I will get a new plug though.
Thanks
94bago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 03:29 PM   #7
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: compton md
Posts: 30
Had sdame issue with a winnebago, it was the fuel pump.
bad1032 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 03:36 PM   #8
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
gen problem

Clay
There is a small filter between the elec fuel pump at the gen and carb. I will change it. I could not find one between the fuel pump (at gen) and the main fuel tank. I tried tracing it from gen back to the main fuel tank but could not follow it all the way thru because of eye sight obstacles. I will do a more thorough tracing. I just did a quick trace because of time factor.
When I disconnect the fuel line at the gen should there be a full gravity flow of fuel at that point from the main fuel tank?
I will do a change of all fuel filters and spark plug.
Thanks
James
94bago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 03:40 PM   #9
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
Gen prob

Bad
Was the filter that you changed a small elect pump at the gen? 3" long X 1.5" dia
Thanks
James
94bago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 03:49 PM   #10
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
Clay
There was a small filter between elec pump. There was not a filter between elec pump and main fuel tank. That seems a little odd to me??
Thanks
James
94bago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 07:37 PM   #11
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: compton md
Posts: 30
It was the fuel pump it self, onan siad it was the oil was to thin, but it would run just like yours then cut off, when it cooled off again it would start, fuel pump would get hot and cut off and not pump.
bad1032 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2012, 11:28 AM   #12
ymi
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Easton, PA
Posts: 21
generator prob

Yep - mine did the same thing - changed out the fuel and air filters, serviced it - fuel pump was bad --- fixed before the HOT weather tho'
__________________
04 Itasca 35U; '99 Mazda Miata convertible Toad for "the OPEN road"
ymi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2012, 12:17 PM   #13
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Palisade CO
Posts: 895
Quote:
Originally Posted by 94bago View Post
Clay
There is a small filter between the elec fuel pump at the gen and carb. I will change it. I could not find one between the fuel pump (at gen) and the main fuel tank. I tried tracing it from gen back to the main fuel tank but could not follow it all the way thru because of eye sight obstacles. I will do a more thorough tracing. I just did a quick trace because of time factor.
When I disconnect the fuel line at the gen should there be a full gravity flow of fuel at that point from the main fuel tank?
I will do a change of all fuel filters and spark plug.
Thanks
James
There is some gravity flow on mine. I stuck a pencil in the hose to stop it while I changed the filter. Different years and models may have more or less filters. My 1995 4Kw had one screwed to the back of the fuel pump. My 2004 5.5 Kw had two filters but Onan stopped using two and quit selling that filter. Instead they sell an adapter that replaces the one at the carb and specify one larger than the discontinued one that screwed to the fuel pump
__________________
Clay WA5NMR - Ex Snowbird - 1 year, Ex Full timer for 11 years - 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N Workhorse chassis. Honda Accord toad.
Clay L is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
generator


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Generator runs rough Forzatm Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 18 04-01-2015 08:08 PM
Generator starts by itself! luckydog1949 Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 11 07-25-2014 09:49 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.