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Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Yahoo Message Number: 63200
Sos! And thank you in advance.

We are in our 06 Inspire, 68,000, owned as new for 4.5 years I always do regular maintenance but have not checked state of fuel line hoses. I just had oil change, etc., and generator was serviced. So this is the first time the generator has been run since then, about 3 weeks ago.
We're in the middle of Kansas, rather hot today, turned on the generator as we stopped for lunch, and it ran for only 2-3 minutes. It quit within 30 seconds of the AC starting up or with a load on it.
Do any of you have any idea if it could be deterioration of the fuel hose? I've been reading quite a bit in our group here regarding generators, and I've seen several discussions of fuel hoses deteriorating.
If this is the case and they need to be replaced, does anyone have any idea how to get to the fuel hoses?

Thank you again.

Mike Frederick
06 INspire 51784

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63206
I have experienced the same problem twice.
First time it was rotten hoses.
Second time it was the fuel pump.

It would help if you could find the fault code on the switch located on the Onan. It will blink two series of codes.
You can look up the blink codes in your manual or on line at Onan.com.

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63208
Quote
Quote from: Bob Wexler
Mike,

Look for simple things first. Do you have an RC7 control panel? If so check your settings. Is it set for manual on and manual off? If not and your batteries are up to snuff then it senses battery condition, sees that everything is OK and then shuts down.
Lyle Wetherholt
04 Intrigue 11740

I have experienced the same problem twice.
First time it was rotten hoses.
Second time it was the fuel pump.
I

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63209
Just had mine serviced - found rotten fuel line, runs fine now. Tech took ½ hour to run new line. Did not replace old.

Larry & Judy
04 Allure 31097

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63212
I had to replace the generator fuel lines on my 04 Inspire a couple of years ago. There was a bad lot of Gates hose on several applications world wide, trucks, boats, RV's etc. Mine did not leak fuel and looked ok but would suck air right through the hose. On my inspire I accessed the fuel tank by removing the back panels from the front storage bays behind the front wheels.I removed the old hose from the tank(supply and return)installed new hose and connected to the old hose and pulled it through to the generator. Not a bad job, you have to cut a couple of nylon ties up along the frame where a bunch of hoses and lines are bundled together.
Lewis Hatton
04 Inspire 51057

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63213
I'm betting it's the fuel filter (unless they changed it with the service).

I had the exact same symptoms.

My hoses were ok.
Jay

05 Inspire 51457

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63228
Mike,

I had the same problem on my 2004 Inspire and it was the rotten fuel lines, supply and return. Replaced them and the generator runs and operates normal. You can access the fuel lines through the first bay on the passenger side of the coach. Remove the screws that hold the rear bay panel in place. Once the rear bay panel is removed you will be able the see the lines which are located on top of the fuel tank. There is enough room to remove and replace the fuel lines. The other end is also easy to remove from the generator. My fuel lines went bad within five years. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Jon Gullette

2004 Inspire #51008

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63230

Just replaced the fuel hoses on mine too. Had intermittent short run time for a year and last winter during cold weather storage had an unexplained fuel leak. This year the generator wouldn't even run and the trouble code was for an other reason shut-down. Like everyone has said, take the center cover off the front wall of the 1st storage bay, hook the new hoses to the old hoses and pull them through. The only tie straps on mine were by the generator, and a couple holding the 2 hoses together.

Tom R

2004 Allure 31026

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63237
Just had the same problem on my 3 week trip and thought it was fuel filter dirty...or bad fuel lines, since I had trouble with the Hurricane lines earlier. Would start and run for a bit then shut down. Finally I decided to remove the covers and look inside - broken water pump belt...duh! Replaced the belt, fired it up and been running all week since repaired. I am going to replace the fuel lines when I get home so I don't have this happen again on the road.
Good Luck - but look, don't guess. Simple stuff first, check oil level, water level, belts and wires etc...if you replace the fuel filter, be sure to prime it before attempting to start engine by holding the start button located on the generator down in the stop position for at least 1 minute - you will hear the pump prime the filter.

Mark Peterson
03 Allure #30916

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63240
Had the same thing happen too us. The fix was to disconnect the telephone plug from the inverter, wait a few minutes and reconnect. That cured the shutdown problem.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427
 

Re: Onan Generator will only run 2-3 minutes

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63862
Timely post for me. Driving down from Carson City to San Diego on Sunday, the Highway 395/I15 hit temps in the 114 range. We started the Generator up around two o'clock, with both roof air's cranked up to high. The generator shut off around 3:45, about 75 miles away from home. Instead of stopping and playing with it, I turned on the dash air, and figured I'd check things out at home.
Lyle's RC7 tip, is one that I will look at first. I know I set the generator to auto kick on, if the power got too low. We wanted to be sure the dog would be OK, if we were gone for a few hour trip during the day, and the power went out in the park. I bet I also set it to shut off at full charge...
I did run start and run it twice for about 5-10 mins each. No prolbems. If the RC7 is not set for auto shut off, then I'll start it up and let it run to see if it shuts down again and leaves a code (did not look for one today, as it started right up...).
Suspect I have the OEM fuel line, so preventative replacement is probably a good idea. The generator was fully serviced as part of PDI, and I trust the work of Holland Motor Homes.
Appreciate this string, as I was planning a few ours in the weekend schedule ahead, to try and break it!!

Best to all,
Smitty

04 Allure 40' Tag, 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)