I have a Generac Quietpack 40G, and according to the manual requires a valve clearance adjustment at the first 50 hours. As I have never done this, I asked the dealer to do it. They didn't know what it was, but after talking with a generator service center, they quoted me over $400 (they needed to take the genset out to do it). I don't believe this is right. Have you done it in yours? What are the risks of not doing it?
2007 Four Winds 31F Life rocks when your home rolls
The risk of not doing it is beating the valve train to death. Sounds expensive to adjust valves but think what repair will cost.
It is a simple job. If you can figure any way to cobble any kind of rack to slide the generator out on to do the adjustment, I would go for it. All you are going to need for parts is valve cover gaskets.
map40 wrote: I have a Generac Quietpack 40G, and according to the manual requires a valve clearance adjustment at the first 50 hours. As I have never done this, I asked the dealer to do it. They didn't know what it was, but after talking with a generator service center, they quoted me over $400 (they needed to take the genset out to do it). I don't believe this is right. Have you done it in yours? What are the risks of not doing it?
If the dealer didn't know what a valve adjustment was, better get as far from him as fast as you can. Just that statement makes me question his knowledge base and experience. Golly!
Would have to see the installation to determine if the genset needs to come out for this service, might not have to, then should be able do that in well under an hour.
Risk to not doing it? Well it gives the factory an out should you have an engine failure in warranty. First thing they'll want to know is if the scheduled maintenance was done properly, if not, you're on your own. There have been cases of valve train failures due to that 50hour adjustment not being done. On the other hand,if it needs adjustment at 50 hours, something is wrong and needs to be addressed before the engine self destructs.
Loose valves you should be able to hear (I'm real hard of hearing) if you know what to listen for. Loose valves can be a result of improper adjustment or premature wear to components such as the cam, lifters, rocker arm bushings or bearings. Tight valves cannot be detected by listening but can also be an issue. Too tight can be a result of a valve seat problem and can result in burned valves and seats. Either way, not good.
I have the Generac 50G and I don't recall any valve adjustments needed at all in the manual, only replace oil/filter/plug at 1st 50 hours and 100 hours after that, but I will have to look at manual and see if its there, but I don't believe it is...
I have a Generac 22KW unit and saw that along with retorque of the head bolts at 50 hours. I checked the valve lash and head bolt torque and both were still to spec just as I expected they would be.
So, I found a Generac RV service center.
Here is the info:
Dealer: Metropolitan Equip. Co. Inc.
Address: 49260 Van Dyke
City: Utica
State: MI
Zip Code: 48317
Country: USA
Phone: 586-731-8750
Fax: 586-731-0022
E-Mail: metropolitanequipment@juno.com
Distance: 20 mi
Web Site: www.metropolitanrental.com
Map: Interactive Map
Really nice guys, and they didn't try to overcharge. $80 and I'm set. They even check charge, load, Hz and Volts, and showed me how to do it. Thought it might help.
map40 wrote: So, I found a Generac RV service center.
Here is the info:
Dealer: Metropolitan Equip. Co. Inc.
Address: 49260 Van Dyke
City: Utica
State: MI
Zip Code: 48317
Country: USA
Phone: 586-731-8750
Fax: 586-731-0022
E-Mail: metropolitanequipment@juno.com
Distance: 20 mi
Web Site: www.metropolitanrental.com
Map: Interactive Map
Really nice guys, and they didn't try to overcharge. $80 and I'm set. They even check charge, load, Hz and Volts, and showed me how to do it. Thought it might help.
That's a whole lot more reasonable. $80 is a lot better than $400.
RV dealers can't know everything about everything. If there's a service center or tech that specializes in the equipment you need serviced it's better to use them than hope like hell the dealers tech have actually worked on or been trained on the equipment.
Our full timers and snowbirds learned early that even warranty repairs can be done by other than the RV dealers if you contact the manufacturer and request it be done by "authorized" centers in the case of added on equipment; such as gensets, refers, stoves, water heaters, furnaces, etc.
Same goes for chassis problems on self propelled units. If it's a Workhorse (or enter your brand here) we go to some one qualified to work on Workhorse (again enter your brand) rather than a dealer who with luck has someone that's actually looked at a U joint or done more than an oil change.
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