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04-28-2018, 12:07 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Garrett
Posts: 81
Indiana
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Onan Gen not starting
I just picked up the Voltage 3970 this afternoon. I filled REAR fuel with about 7 gallons of gas to start gen. (Onan 5500) We can not get it to start. If we squirt some fuel into carburator it runs then dies. SO, we think it is not getting any fuel. We are priming for 30 seconds and then trying to start.
I ready the manual and it said something about a fuel shut off valve possibly being installed. I did not see one but, didn't really look.
ANY IDEAS would be helpful
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04-28-2018, 01:16 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 132
Arkansas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoadzie
I just picked up the Voltage 3970 this afternoon. I filled REAR fuel with about 7 gallons of gas to start gen. (Onan 5500) We can not get it to start. If we squirt some fuel into carburator it runs then dies. SO, we think it is not getting any fuel. We are priming for 30 seconds and then trying to start.
I ready the manual and it said something about a fuel shut off valve possibly being installed. I did not see one but, didn't really look.
ANY IDEAS would be helpful
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Try putting fuel in the other tank they are known for labeling them wrong if it is labeled wrong that means you can pump that fuel into the other tank with the fuel station
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
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04-28-2018, 01:27 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Garrett
Posts: 81
Indiana
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I did put some in there. About a gallon or so. I don't have shore power to check everything out. SO, tomorrow I am taking my portable generator. It's a 4500W but will work well enough to do some "playing".
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04-28-2018, 11:04 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Roselle
Posts: 1,292
Illinois
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Did you do a PDI when you picked it up? Start for the previous owner? Pull fuel line and hit start button and see if it's pumping fuel. Check the code (blinking light on start button) also. May be just a fuel filter or bad fuel. Smell gas?
Rusty
__________________
2015 Black F-350 Platinum Diesel Dually Crew Cab
2019 Riverstone Legacy 38MB (Full Paint/All Options)
2015 Voltage 3990 (Full Paint, All Options) Sold 6/18
2005 Harley Ultra Classic w/too many miles
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04-28-2018, 11:58 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Wesley Chapel
Posts: 3,081
Florida
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If there is no oil it will act like that.
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04-28-2018, 03:30 PM
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#6
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Poulsbo
Posts: 6
Washington
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On mine the rubber fuel line on the front of the unit routinely gets pinched by the cover preventing fuel flow. Also the filter could be clogged.
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05-01-2018, 12:41 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Canon City
Posts: 860
Colorado
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Especially in hot weather. But I've mounted an electric fuel pump back by the tank to push fuel to the Onan electric fuel pump. Its a centrifugal pump and simply not capable sucking fuel that distance.
The fuel hose used is about as cheap as you can get. I used the old hose to pull in new hose and the wiring for the new pump.
Not a difficult project. About $125 with pump, fittings, hose and wire.
After that, not a single starting problem.
Pirate
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05-01-2018, 01:46 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Garrett
Posts: 81
Indiana
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My father-in-law and I are stuck. We are getting fuel. When we push the prime button, plenty of fuel is getting to the carburetor. The only thing we forgot to check was when we push the start button, if fuel was flowing to the carburetor. We checked the oil first and it is clean and at proper level. If we squirt fuel directly into the carb the gen runs briefly until the fuel is gone.
Curious to me. The unit meter inside reads 0000 hours. I am not sure this generator has ever run. Not sure what to do to get it to come to life.
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05-01-2018, 01:47 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Garrett
Posts: 81
Indiana
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We did not have PDI. I am getting a 36 code which doesn't really tell me much except that the unit is not getting fuel.
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05-01-2018, 02:24 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Canon City
Posts: 860
Colorado
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A troubleshooting step...Disconnect the hose from the fuel tank and connect a small gas can, with hose, to where you disconnected the hose.
See if it will run off the gas can. That will tell you some things.
Yeah, code 36 doesn't tell you anything.
Since it does run when you squirt gas into the carb, then you have spark.
So it would appear to me that you're not getting a steady supply of fuel to the carburetor. So try the alternate fuel source and see if it runs as it should.
Just thoughts
Pirate
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05-01-2018, 03:28 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Garrett
Posts: 81
Indiana
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Good idea, I’ll try that!
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05-02-2018, 02:47 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Lakewood
Posts: 94
Colorado
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If the alternate fuel supply doesn't fix the problem. There is a possibility your carb might have the ethanol flu. We bought our 3950 used and the genny was starved for fuel. I poked and prodded, blew out orifices (there's a joke in there some where) and it still would only run for a few seconds and die.
Bought a new carb ($125) and shes been great for the last 2 years. The factory float bowl is not removable, so you can't get to those tinny orifices to clean them out. If the dealer started it and then let it set, could be the problem.
I hope I'm wrong, but that worked for us.
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05-02-2018, 03:11 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Garrett
Posts: 81
Indiana
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Where did you get the $125 carburetor. I saw them for $300+
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05-02-2018, 03:20 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Lakewood
Posts: 94
Colorado
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Ebay, was 3 years ago though
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05-02-2018, 04:17 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Langley
Posts: 3
British Columbia
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There's a few youtube videos on cleaning them with seafoam without removing.
Search onan 5500 carburetor on youtube.
May be worth a shot
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05-02-2018, 05:57 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Garrett
Posts: 81
Indiana
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Anyone supply a picture of where the "Spark Arrestor" is located. I saw it should be cleaned out also. I have a list of things to do. I ordered new plugs, air filter, fuel filter and oil filter. I am replacing the oil. I have seafoam to use to clean out carb. I also have placed some "HEET" in the tank with the gas.
I have checked the fuel filter and pump that appear to be working well and will possibly remove carburetor to clean.
I may spend $300 trying to save $300 but it won't be for not trying.
When I get back to the TH I will hook up NEW supply of gasoline to eliminate bad gas as the culprit. I will RE-verify pump & filter are working. If I need to I will disassemble the carburetor to clean it inside.
Anything else?
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05-02-2018, 07:56 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tahlequah
Posts: 3,079
Oklahoma
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Spark arrestor is a fancy name for muffler. It should be below the floor of the gen cabinet.
__________________
2013 Voltage 3800, 2012 Chevy 3500 HD
2010 Yamaha V Star 950
2009 Yamaha Raider
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Caravanners
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05-03-2018, 12:55 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Garrett
Posts: 81
Indiana
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How do you clean a muffler?
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05-03-2018, 01:15 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tahlequah
Posts: 3,079
Oklahoma
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhoadzie
How do you clean a muffler?
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There are a few tutorials to do this, depends on the machine. Do a search for your generator.
__________________
2013 Voltage 3800, 2012 Chevy 3500 HD
2010 Yamaha V Star 950
2009 Yamaha Raider
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Caravanners
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05-03-2018, 11:36 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 521
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Actually code 36 tells you a lot. It is saying I shut down without being told by the controller to be shut down. I would now look at the fuel system from the carb back to the tank. You know it has spark from pouring fuel into the carb and it starting. Apparently the genset is fuel starved but why. If you know the fuel pump is pumping and the filter is clear then it must be in the carburetor. Trash or lack of use resulting in the carb plugged up with this cheap gas these days.
If it were mine I would think of opening up the carburetor and rebuilding it which is probably very cheap comparatively.
Why the hobbs meter is at zero is a mystery. Even from the factory when I ordered my last it had 1 tenth hour on it when it arrived.
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