txwpd103
Waco, TX
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Joined: 08/22/2009
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I seem to be the victim of a gummed up carb on my year and half old Onan 5500. When I remove the carb to try to clean and/or replace (yes I know they are not supposed to be serviceable) should I install a fuel petcock so that I can run the carb dry to prevent this in the future like on every other gen I've ever owned?
2009 Chevy 2500HD, CC, LB 4WD w/B&W Companion
2011 Forest River XLR 300x12
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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Joined: 01/29/2001
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...or make sure you add a fuel stabilizer every time you add gas to the tank AND exercise it once per month for a minimum of 1 hour at a minimum 50.00% load
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually CC/LB Duramax/Allison
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS fifth wheel
Onan 5500W Marquis Gold gas generator (HGJAB - 1038D)
WOULD RETIRE NOW IF I COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE...
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edatlanta
Hosting in Panama City Beach, FL
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Joined: 08/13/2008
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My 5500 is 18 months old and it never misses a stroke, but I am crazy about keeping stabilizer in the gas and running it for a minimum of 1 hour/month under load. I NEVER miss and it has never failed me.
Last week we had a tornado that did a lot of damage here at my home base and missed me by 1/4 mile and the entire town was without electricity for several hours except at my Designer. My Onan made a lot of coffee that morning and worked like a champ.
Ed
2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, TTT/Schefenacker Towing Mirrors, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50C, TST Systems 507 TPMS
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS,Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP
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txwpd103
Waco, TX
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Joined: 08/22/2009
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I kept stabilizer in the gas, but only ran it every three months or so. Obviously not enough. Would adding a petcock and running it dry keep you from having to run it every month. I understand the need to run it for the benefit to the other components, but it seems like this carb is way too susceptible to gum up.
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jetboater454
No Idea
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Joined: 07/21/2009
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One reason to exercise the gen monthly has to do with keeping rust from forming on the strator,if that's the right name.It's not all about the carb gumming up.
"If momma not happy  ....Who cares.I have my TH AND my toys  .
2008 3500 Dodge Ram CTD dually 4X4
2007 Gulfstream Endura Max 40
2001 Polaris Ranger 4X4
Mod Pics
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Dusty R
Charlotte Michigan 48813
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Joined: 04/05/2003
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On our Onan 4000 I added a switch to the electric fuel pump. I just turn it off when I know I'm not going to run it for sometime, and let it run out of gas, no additives added.
Dusty
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edatlanta
Hosting in Panama City Beach, FL
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As was stated above, the monthly running does two things. The obvious is to keep the engine working and fresh fuel flowing, but the second is to heat up the generator itself. This is why it has to be run under load. It drys out the moisture that accumulates in the generator and keeps it in working order.
While we know comments are made that no maintenance or monthly running is ever done and the unit keeps working fine, I hear a lot more that claim lack of use causes problems. I had rather take the time to fire it up once a month and not worry that it won't work. Other than 2-3 times a year when boondocking this once a month run under load is all my generator is used. Last week for the tornado cleanup was the exception.
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JoeH
Apollo Beach,FL
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Joined: 02/21/2001
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Our 5500 is 13 years old now. I don't put stabil in the gas tank,75 gallon tank on the MH that would need to be treated... takes a lot of stabil. So, I put on an inline fuel petcock just before the carb on the genset. Did that back in 2000. I always run it dry at the end of a trip and never havee had any carb issues.
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txwpd103
Waco, TX
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Joined: 08/22/2009
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I bought a new carb, installed it and the genset starts right up and runs smooth. Guess I should be happy that it was easy to fix, but I'm also a little ticked about the cost regarldess of how "easy" it was. I chose to use DUSTY R's idea and put a switch on the fuel pump. I think I am going to carefully take apart the old one and see if I can clean the CARB Compliant "non-serviceable" boondoggle that Onan stuck us with.
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ksg5000
Oregon
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Joined: 06/30/2008
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I just wait until my rig has less than 1/4 tank and then I run the generator until it's dry - fill up the main gas tank and put the rig away for winter.
Kevin
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