Thanks all! Gunny, I will rectify lack of info upon return to the Right coast/Virginny, currently on the left coast/California for business. I was hoping rough info on age/make/kw could get us a roughly reasonable answer. Fuel diaphragm makes much sense, again due to age, possible overuse of fuel cleaners? Perfect opportunity to put new plugs in as well. Now then, does gas in fuel make for an acidic chemical cleaning of oil chambers, or opposite and gooey/gunking of this area? Do I need to drain, flush, run, re-drain . . . or standard drain and refill enough?
You've got gas in the oil. Now you've got to figure out where it came from (but first change the oil so you don't screw up the bearings). Due to the previous "bad" smell, I would vote for something wrong with the carb. I've got an old car that still has a carb (actually 3 carbs). If the idle mixture isn't correct, or one of the carbs is leaking fuel, the exhaust will sting your eyes.
I would take the carb off and rebuild it. Then reinstall it and carefully adjust it.
While you're at it, I would also replace the fuel pump as it could be the cause also. If nothing else, it would be good preventative maintenance.
While you're at it, make sure the intake manifold bolts are tight.
Mark
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a Ford chassis
2003 Ford Explorer toad with US Gear brakes,
ReadyBrute tow bar, and Demco base plate.
Again thanks folks . . . I will call Onan and see what prices this almost antique commands for replacement parts . . . if available. Might order two if the price is right.
Bill it just smells chemical-like. I know that is as squishy as Jello. I was amazed at how clean it still was, a very light amber color. I will drain that oil/gas mixture out. I do suspect that is what happened in some fashion either through pump or carb. Do I flush the oil after wards with a few quarts of oil, run a few hours and drain and refill? Or is a tad of gas diluted with 4 quarts of oil enough?
Okay specifics on generator are as follows. Onan, Emerald plus BGE generator. 4KW, 60 Hz. Model 4bgefa26100H. A close inspection around the carb shows what appears to be leaking gas. I think thi smeans the bowl did get overfilled and force its way into the oil. What is very interesting though . . . I am looking at the manual, and looking at my unit. Where they say a fuel filter is, and it shows on the picture . . .well, there isn't a fuel filter on mine and it connects direct to the carb (fuel line). Maybe a modification handled later . . .could be bad previous owner just not replacing it. I am fortunate that I live only a few miles from Onan in Chesapeake Virginia. I will drive on over there and talk shop to the technicians a bit and probably get a new carb and fuel filter while at it, along with a basic tune-up of new plugs, filters, oil, etc.
You better be sitting down when they price a new carburetor. Onan is very proud of them. Inquire as to a rebuild kit and if avalible and not too pricey, get 2. One for now and another for the next time.
Don't have my manuals here so can't tell, but if that thing has a mechanical fuel pump, I'd suspect the diaphram to be lleaking, replace it too, might have to go with a whole fuel pump. If electrical, never mind.
Yes, chnage that oil as soon as you can. Do not run it with a mixture of fuel and oil. Gasoline has no lubricating properties and it will wear out the bearings in very short order. Consider changing the oil, running it to operating temperature and changing it again be get out as much of the gasoline as possible.
Used to work for Cummins Atlantic which used to own the Chesapeake branch. That was many moons ago but at that time they had a very good bunch of technicians.
I agree with everything gunny357 said and if you go that route you may need a co-signer. I have the same model and year 4K Onan. I have been very lucky so far and fixed all my problems by accident, (with the help of my forum buddies). The dealer is a last resort as it is going to be VERY expensive......
I suggest you keep experimenting and fix it yourself...........
good luck, grilli
My experience with Onan/Cummins dealers and technicians is that they are very expensive and worth every penny. These are fairly sophisticated gadgets, and it can take a lot of effort to learn for yourself how to repair them. For goodness sake keep shade tree mechanics away from them-either put in the time to learn yourself or get the technicians to do it, pay their price, and be happy.
Hey Grilmeister! Long time no chat. You and I have the same unit entirely. We just live in parallel universes, never using the RV simultaneously! I am not mechanically inclined, but was going to look inot a rebuild kit . . . until I saw the exploded diagram in the manual. Hooeee. Onan quoted $187.00 for the new carb, special order. I am guess an hours labor, maybe 1.5 so it should get done for $300. Of course if it is only a couple of bolts . . .I may still try it myself. But then I might as well do the plugs and pump and filters as well, so I will give it to them for a week.
Offline
