Onan spark plugs December 05, 2011, 01:35:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127139Can anybody tell me the best way to change the inside plug on a Onan Emerald Plus generator. Can it be done w/o dropping the genset? Dale.
Re: Onan spark plugs Reply #1 – December 05, 2011, 11:43:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127157"Can anybody tell me the best way to change the inside plug on a Onan Emerald Plus generator. Can it be done w/o dropping the genset?"Dale, it depends how crafty you are.I am not sure how close the backside of the gen is to the back wall. You won't be able to see but you can feel if you can get your hand back there to pop off the plug wire, put the sparkplug socket on , then the ratchet. You might have to break it loose, then unscrew the socket with your hand. Make sure you have a good socket that grabs hold of the plug well when removed. It all depends on how much room you have on top of the gen set. What year is your coach?Ramon[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Onan spark plugs Reply #2 – December 06, 2011, 12:13:40 am Yahoo Message Number: 127158My coach is a '91, 26.5' RB. Have you ever dropped the genset? Dale.__
Re: Onan spark plugs Reply #3 – December 06, 2011, 11:45:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127183"My coach is a '91, 26.5' RB. Have you ever dropped the genset? " No but I installed it. Changed the plugs before I did I am not sure if they use the same box in 91 as in 85 or if the bottom is more open in 91.Here are a few pix. https://picasaweb.google.com/mrfixit454/GeneratorInstall?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCObpo5-0iO7uPA&feat=directlinkRamon
Re: Onan spark plugs Reply #4 – December 07, 2011, 01:57:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127190Ramon, Thanks for the pictures. Mine actually has less room at the top of the generator than yours appears to have. Mine is sitting on a metal tray that is lower than the door. The book that I have shows that the genset swings downward to allow access to the top of it for repairs (replacing plugs etc.) but I can't figure out how that is done. I have the same model genset as you show. Dale.__
Re: Onan spark plugs Reply #5 – December 07, 2011, 03:43:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127195"The book that I have shows that the genset swings downward to allow access to the top of it for repairs (replacing plugs etc.) but I can't figure out how that is done."Dale, You should call the factory or call Cummins/Onan to ask how that works. I have seen the kits online but I am not sure if there is any documentation on it. You could search for that too.Ramon
Re: Onan spark plugs Reply #6 – December 07, 2011, 03:45:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127196Also, Larry Wade might be able to tell us when he sees this.
Re: Onan spark plugs Reply #7 – December 07, 2011, 11:22:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 127205"Also, Larry Wade might be able to tell us when he sees this."Ramon I have changed plugs on many Emeralds but never on one installed in an LD. I have heard of them being dropped for maintenance. It would be a tricky thing to do yourself, as you know from installing yours. I would use two floor jacks and probably a plywood craddle to keep the jacks in position. I would imagine a generator shop would use something like a small motorcycle lift table, mounted on rollers. http://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/Motorcycle-Lifts-s/292.htm> At one time, we had dozens of Emeralds at LAX. When maintained, they were very robust generators, with much longer lifetimes than Onan Microquiets and 4K Hondas. Ultimately, all were replaced with diesels. I'm hoping someday to see a quiet diesel 4K RV generator. The next generation of Ford cutaways will eventually have adequate diesel engines and a diesel genset would be a perfect match. When you see what VW has done with diesels, it gives you hope.Larry