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Topic: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB (Read 250 times) previous topic - next topic
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Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
My 2014 27’ Midbath has been sitting in my garage for about a year.  I haven’t run the generator at all in the past several months, went down today to run it under load.  No surprise, it wouldn’t start.  I want to troubleshoot it & attempt any repairs soon, but cannot get to the access door until I move a boat and a few cars out of the way so I can pull away from the wall.  But I’d like to show up with a carb rebuild kit & spark plug in case they’re needed.  If not, I’ll keep them handy for next time.

Because I cannot get at the access door, I can’t check to see what the model number is.  It’s a 4 KW gas.  Anybody out there know what model generator the ‘14 27’ Midbath would have?  That would allow me to order the parts I want so I’ve got them in hand when I am able to get back into the garage.

Thanks!
Still pretty new to RV lifestyle & Lazy Daze
2014 27’ MB
Two beautiful Weimaraners, Junie & Pearl (now our angel dogs)
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #1 –
Quote from: AlwaysWantedA55  - 
My 2014 27’ Midbath has been sitting in my garage for about a year.  I haven’t run the generator at all in the past several months, went down today to run it under load.  No surprise, it wouldn’t start.  I want to troubleshoot it & attempt any repairs soon, but cannot get to the access door until I move a boat and a few cars out of the way so I can pull away from the wall.  But I’d like to show up with a carb rebuild kit & spark plug in case they’re needed.  If not, I’ll keep them handy for next time.

Because I cannot get at the access door, I can’t check to see what the model number is.  It’s a 4 KW gas.  Anybody out there know what model generator the ‘14 27’ Midbath would have?  That would allow me to order the parts I want so I’ve got them in hand when I am able to get back into the garage.

Thanks!
Is the LD gas tank more that ¼ full?

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #2 –
If the main tank is more than1/4 full, it's just that the gasoline in the line has slipped back dow into the tank, and has evaporated from the generator's carburetor. Crank it for not more than 30 seconds, then let it rest for a minute, (to let the starter motor cool down), then retry another 30 seconds. It may take awhile to get some gas into the carb. After a year it should start. May not run very well.... Is the gasoline in the tank pretty fresh? Does it turn over but not catch? Do you smell any gas fumes? If you don't then gas isn't getting to the generator. Don't throw parts at it until you know more. Changing things without a plan and some experience generally causes more issues and can complicate troubleshooting. Rebuilding carburetors is not for the novice. Even for experienced people, not for the faint hearted.  It is unlikely that the sparkplug is bad. They don't foul or wear out just sitting.
   It should be an Onan MicroQuiet 4kw model. https://www.rvwithtito.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Onan4000MaintenanceManual.pdf        You need the model and serial number to know what modifications go along with your generator.         RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #3 –
Thanks guys.  Chris, the tank is about half full.  Ron, I’ll give it another try.  The gas in the tank is about a year old and was treated with stabilizer before being parked.  It cranks but does not fire.  There is no gas fume smell after attempting to start.

I read the Onan manual that came with the LD and it’s more aggressive than the LD manual.  Onan says to prime for 30 seconds, then crank for 15-20 seconds (until it shuts down), pause 5 seconds, crank again up to 5 times.  Then a short break to let the starter cool before doing it all again.  The LD manual is much more conservative. 

I probably attempted a half dozen starts, but I was priming before each attempt.  Re-reading both manuals, there’s no mention of re-priming after the first attempt.  My assumption was that priming ran the fuel pump, therefore I primed before each start attempt. 
Still pretty new to RV lifestyle & Lazy Daze
2014 27’ MB
Two beautiful Weimaraners, Junie & Pearl (now our angel dogs)
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #4 –
Note that when priming after non-use, if the line is dry, the pump noise will be metallic and louder. When fuel has filled the carb bowl, the noise will be more muted. If you do not hear that transition, likely you are not getting fuel.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #6 –
"If you do not hear that transition..."

Or perhaps you are deaf, like me! I can not even hear the water pump running as I once did.  ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #7 –
I tried again today, two cycles of 5 start attempts.  No luck.  I’ll check on my next visit to see if I’m getting fuel flow to the carb & take it from there.  While I was there, I pulled the LD out where I had better access and was able to check for the model number.  For those keeping score at home, it’s 4KYFA26100P.
Still pretty new to RV lifestyle & Lazy Daze
2014 27’ MB
Two beautiful Weimaraners, Junie & Pearl (now our angel dogs)
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #8 –
Depending on rats and mice proofing, there has been a lot of trouble, more than usual, in southern California of wiring and small hoses being chewed on. I still suspect no gasoline to the genset. It relies on sucking gas up out of the tank into the line going down to the generator. Siphon action after it gets the gas moving helps the pump out. I haven't tried it but one method of trouble shooting takes a gas line directly from a gas can to the input of the generators fuel pump to run the generator.
   That same line would be disconnected anyway to check if there was any gasoline being delivered from the main tank.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #9 –
Quote from: AlwaysWantedA55  - 
I tried again today, two cycles of 5 start attempts.  No luck.  I’ll check on my next visit to see if I’m getting fuel flow to the carb & take it from there.  While I was there, I pulled the LD out where I had better access and was able to check for the model number.  For those keeping score at home, it’s 4KYFA26100P.
One more thing - as the generator starts from the coach batteries, I found a problem with ours due to low voltage. In our case, it was a resistive battery disconnect switch. Have a voltmater connected across the battery bank when trying to start - if the voltage falls too low, the spark may be too weak.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #10 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Depending on rats and mice proofing, there has been a lot of trouble, more than usual, in southern California of wiring and small hoses being chewed on. I still suspect no gasoline to the genset. It relies on sucking gas up out of the tank into the line going down to the generator. Siphon action after it gets the gas moving helps the pump out. I haven't tried it but one method of trouble shooting takes a gas line directly from a gas can to the input of the generators fuel pump to run the generator.
   That same line would be disconnected anyway to check if there was any gasoline being delivered from the main tank.  RonB

Hey Ron, thanks.  I'll start by disconnecting the line @ the carb & cranking to see if any gas is being delivered.  If not, I'll work my  way back, trying to pull gas in from a can to the pump.  I suspect you're right about no gas delivery--even after 10 start attempts today there was no hint of gasoline odor.
Still pretty new to RV lifestyle & Lazy Daze
2014 27’ MB
Two beautiful Weimaraners, Junie & Pearl (now our angel dogs)
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
One more thing - as the generator starts from the coach batteries, I found a problem with ours due to low voltage. In our case, it was a resistive battery disconnect switch. Have a voltmater connected across the battery bank when trying to start - if the voltage falls too low, the spark may be too weak.

Steve
Thanks Steve.  If fuel delivery isn't the problem, I'll check this next.
Still pretty new to RV lifestyle & Lazy Daze
2014 27’ MB
Two beautiful Weimaraners, Junie & Pearl (now our angel dogs)
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #12 –
My no fuel troubleshooting went like this:

(1) follow the steps in the video to see if fuel is being delivered to the carb

(2) if no, disconnect fuel line upstream of pump/filter assembly, replace with short section of fuel hose,  and try to run from a jar of fuel close to the disconnect point.  That should determine if pump/filter or upstream fuel line is the issue.

If it runs, suspect fuel line.  If not, suspect pump and filter and try fuel flow test from the jar.

(3) use suction on the original disconnected fuel line to determine if there is a good path from the tank to the generator.  Check back if you get this far and we can go over potential issues in the fuel line. 

Hope that helps.  This all assumes > 1/4 fuel in tank.   Also, a weak or intermittent pump could give confusing results.  Try a fuel pressure test to investigate if suspected.

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #13 –
Very helpful Rich, thanks!
Still pretty new to RV lifestyle & Lazy Daze
2014 27’ MB
Two beautiful Weimaraners, Junie & Pearl (now our angel dogs)
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #14 –
I wouldn't rule out a bad fuel pump just yet. Ours, although much older,
 had the very same symptoms. In the end I replaced the pump and cleaned the carb and it ran. The pump on ours was a challenge to change out hopefully the new ones are easier.

Jon
1994 MB
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #15 –
"One more thing - as the generator starts from the coach batteries, I found a problem with ours due to low voltage."

My experience has shown that if the coach batteries are low due to heavy use the previous night or cold weather the generator may not start! My work around is to start the engine... just that small boost is often enough to fire up the genie.  :o
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Looking for Onan Genset model number, 2014 27 MB
Reply #16 –
Steve (Aq433) mentioned that your generator has a 'prime' position on the start switch. That saves a lot of wear and tear on your gen starter motor and batteries. My old EmeraldII doesn't have the prime switch. Guess I could add one, it just turns on the electric pump, before trying to start it.      On the MicroQuiet, priming the carb should yield some gas fumes. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB