Onan running rough update

[ron preston]

Many thanks to Jim Miller and Jim Hupy for their help and suggestions my
6000 W onan had been running rough so I decided to rebuild the carburetor
in doing so forgot to put the inner gasket on the float bowl retainer
leading to days of confusion but finally figured that out . Jim Miller
suggested burnishing the points that was probably the problem originally.
Now I decided to install pertronix ignition and the new points so I now
have two ignition systems both functioning well ...so far. My problem now
is that it won't start unless I jump power straight to the positive side of
the coil at which time I hear the fuel pump working it it then starts
and runs fine i disconnect the jumper from the battery immediately upon
starting. Already installed a new board. Looking for any suggestions.
Thanks a lot,
Ron Preston
75 Glenbrook
San jose

 

[steve adams]

Happy to hear the good new Ron. I love Onan stories with happy endings. Jim Miller saved my Onan 4 years ago. I will always be grateful for his
assistance. I have since been able to help a few others with the knowledge I gained. I'm a bookkeeper not a mechanic.
--
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black

 

[jim miller]

> My problem now is that it won't start unless I jump power straight to the positive side of the coil at which time I hear the fuel pump working it it then starts and runs fine i disconnect the jumper from the battery immediately upon starting. Already installed a new board.

Hi Ron,

Do you still have the fuel solenoid installed upstream of the fuel pump?

Try this: jumper power to the coil _but don’t start the unit_. Wait about 45 seconds and during that time listen to the fuel pump to see if it changes sound as time goes on. This is essentially a temporary implementation of the primer circuit that many have installed on their units and it is to allow time for the fuel pump to bring fuel all the way from the main tank and to fill the carb bowl. With most fuel pumps you’ll hear them slow down once they have primed and are pumping against a restriction like a closed needle valve in the carb bowl.

Once the 45 seconds has passed remove the jumper and try to start the engine via the control board switch or the remote switch in the coach. Let us know what happens.

—Jim

Jim Miller
1977 Eleganza
1977 Royale
Hamilton, OH