I just bought a 1993 Jamboree on a Ford Chassis and am having problems with the generator. The generator, a Onan 2.8 genset, runs but is spitting gas out of the carburator through the filter.
The Onan 2.8KW is not a real common generator, you could contact Onan and get a service manual for it.
However you say it starts and runs but runs rough and spits gasoline back out the air filter? is that the correct complaint?
Does the unit seam to be running up to speed (3600 RPMs) and its automatic choke is off (wide open)? Most Onan gasoline units have an altitude adjustment, on the carburetor, and yours should be set at your altitude.
You will need to help by checking some of these things, or take it to a dealer and pay the piper. Which might be the best thing to do, if the carburetor and governor are out of adjustment, as the engine speed determines the voltage and frequency of the electrical output, like (120V at 62 HZ at no load), and you will need to have the tools to test this.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
I rebuilt my 2.8 Onan genset with parts gotten from Onan direct. I found them a great company to deal with.
Now to me it sounds like your float is stuck in the carb. It is tight to work with but you might be able to remove the float bowl without removing the gen cover or worse taking the gen set out of the camper completely.
I got to the point with mine running ok but not great replacing the carb. Back 2 or so years ago the carb was under $100 with the gaskets.
The 2.8 Microlite is quite common on Class B's and smaller C's even today. I'd seriously suggest fixing the gas-spitting problems before worrying about testing the output to avoid the risk of fire. I agree that it sounds like a stuck float, but I'm not really familiar with the 2.8's that far back. The newer ones ('99 and up, I know) have a carb that is considered 'non-rebuildable'; you just replace it. That said, I've fixed a couple that were varnished up from disuse (just running rough) with fuel system cleaner and patience. But that manifests as not enough fuel, not too much.
Good luck with it.
Jim, "Cynicism means never having to say you're disappointed."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
hi from Ga... Man, I'd take that to the nearest Onan dealer ASAP. They charge about $90 per labor hour, but they'll diagnose it quickly and fix it properly. Spitting gas = burned up RV ! Be careful out there. Regards, Craig
Suggest you get a manual, either from your local Cummins/ONAN distributorship if there is one, or you can order through www.funroads.com
I've had losts of owner manuals/user manuals/service manuals, and ONAN's is among the very best.
The fire threat is real - don't take chances with this. But be sure you understand from the get-go: The genny's voltage output is locked to its engine RPM. It does NOT respond to load by revving up. It responds by loading up. Do not run the genset against load until you can get its RPM/voltage output stabilized. 2.8 is probably a 3600RPM genset, needs to run 3600 with no load and 3600 with full load to maintain about 120VAC and about 60hZ cycles. You can use a meter to track voltage if you don't have a way to track RPM or hZ. Should be "120VAC" but I think the lowest loaded voltage is about 108 and highest unloaded voltage about 128, so target 118VAC +/- 10VAC.
Can you remove the genny to service it or have it serviced? Some get a motorcycle or transmission jack to drop it with.
Let me leave you with three points:
1. Problems with gasoline RV gennys are usually gummed up carbs resulting from not exercising monthly under load.
2. In many if not most cases replacing the carb is the cost effective solution, especially if you can do it yourself and adjust according to a manual.
3. If you don't understand equipment like this, or aren't comfortable working on it, please have a qualified facility fix it.
An overnight thought.... In one that old, I wonder if it's a stuck or burned intake valve? A compression check might be a good idea, before ordering a carb. I'm in the middle of a move, so all my manuals are packed away, but the Onan manual likely has specs for this.
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Jon
