hondochica wrote:

Greetings all;

I have an Onan gen: model no: 3kvc-83b; serial no: e000103924; 23 amp - ..... what else would you like to know? ;-))

ok - so when I go to start the thing it tries to start for just a few seconds, then kinda dies and just makes noise and I smell fuel. If I clamp the fuel line with a pliers I used to be able to start the thing and I could let go of the pliers once it warmed up and it would run fine. not so easy any more. When I tried to start it this a.m. it was chugging and chugging trying to fire, with pliers clamped on fuel line and then I heard a fairly loud clang - like something metal loose somewhere inside got flung against something else. Only did this once. can't get it started. If I don't clamp down (somewhat) on the fuel line it won't really try to start at all and I smell fuel! so it seems like I'm flooding the carbureator (sp?). Might this be sticky valves somewhere and would carb cleaner help (tried one bottle to not much avail)? someone else suggested the float (?) in the fuel bowl is not working and letting too much fuel in the bowl.

what are your thoughts? need power to recharge house batteries NOW! Oh - I'm also at 6000 ft, but have similar problems at lower elevations and have tried playing with the altitude adjuster

thanks in advance - happy motoring!

kelly (hondochica)