| Author | Message | ||
| Ron R. (205.188.209.11) Rating: N/A |
Hello Folks: I have an 6.5 Older Onan generator that was in my bus when I purchased it four years ago. It is not running and sat for years before I owned the bus. The previous owner told me that it had been rebuilt years prior and ran fine. I am just now getting ready to get it repaired and have been quoted around $700.00 or so to do the job. It needs everything done to it. Is it worth repairing? Several different "Onan" shops says that it is, but none of them travel full time or own busses. What do you think? | ||
| Lin (208.187.128.90) Rating: N/A |
Since the unit is probably close to $3000. new, if you end up with a good generator for $700. it would seem worth it. | ||
| Jayjay (205.188.209.11) Rating: N/A |
$700.00 is a ridiculous amount to repair a two cylinder, low compression ratio, low horsepower engine. You can get a big V-8 done for that much. I'd find an independent small engine repair facility, and skip the Onan Dealer as a crook. Even if you include the alternator itself, you should be able to get it re-done at a similar independent for a lot less. My guess is hone the cylinders, lap the valves, set the timing and and new points and it should run fine. I happen to like the older analog models like yours. Try almost $400.00 for a circuit board on the new ones. Ughhh! | ||
| Geoff (Geoff) (64.1.0.26)
Rating: N/A |
Onan's are nice but expensive to repair. I had a circuit board go out on an old Onan gas generator and rather than buy their outragous parts I bypassed the circuit board with toggle switches. If the rebuild parts are only available from Onan then I can understand why a rebuild would cost $700. Unless money is an issue I would sell the Onan as is and buy a good diesel on a skid and put it in a soundbox. --Geoff '82 RTS CA | ||
| Philip Curtis (152.163.188.227)
Rating: N/A |
What do you think is wrong with the Gen.If it is not seazed up and does not smoke fire it up and go.They are not hard to repair if it only needs rings and a valve job.I left my 6.5 under a tree with a wheel barrel over it for 4 years and only hade to un stick a valve.Its been runing for over a year since.$700 is crazy $300 should be tops.You can also find good used ones for 3to500 dollers.Contact me if you need more detailed help. | ||
| Chuck Harris - PD4104 (207.172.11.147) Rating: N/A |
I suppose the first question one should ask is, "What's wrong with your Onan?" The biggest single failure in Onan engines, that have been left to sit, is the fuel pump. It is twidgetey at best when it is working. Also, the carburetor gets gummed up if it was left full of gas. Both items are trivial to repair/replace. So, what's wrong with yours that makes you want to fix it? -Chuck | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad) (204.193.117.66)
Rating: N/A |
It depends on what is wrong with it. Does it crank over? Does it have compression? Is there a spark at the spark plug? Is the fuel pump pumping fuel to the carb? May only need minor repairs such as adjusting or replacing the points. Our older Onan started running rough and misfiring. It turned out that the points and condenser housing was loose, making it impossible to correctly set the points. Repair was as simple as tightening the 2 points housing bolts and re-adjusting the points. Jack | ||
| Craig S (67.34.217.131) Rating: N/A |
I have an old 1972 6.5 Onan in my MC8. I put on a new carb, changed the oil and set the points and it fired up after the guy that sold me the bus said it was worn out. Go to http://www.funroads.com and follow the Onan links. They have an online help forum that is very helpful. I bought my owner and service manuals, oil filter, plugs and carb there. Craig S | ||
| modelt (208.18.102.25) Rating: N/A |
If your handy with tools or have a buddy who is, I would take the repair advice you just got and go for it. I had an old Koler (antique) unit over 50 years old with mag, I cleaned the tank and carb, added freah fuel and oil, cranked it and it started right up. It had set for 30 or more years in a barn, but still turned over. Compression was low but it ran fairly good so I poored Seafoam threw it and that took care of the carbon and stuck rings. Paid 5 bucks at an auction. Fun little farm generator (not for RV's buy any chance). Just a toy. I just gave you my experence with it so you would have an idea of what you might find - A Treasure. Ol by the way when I got the mice crums out of it actually produced electric. I liked playing with it. The voltage was all over the place from 90 to 140 volt. | ||
| John Feld (Deacon) (150.199.209.47)
Rating: N/A |
Several times I have see posts that say, you can find used units for 300-500 dollars. Where do you find these? I am housebond for now and unable to go searching, anyone have information let me know at heritagehub@lycos.com John | ||
| Ron R. (205.188.209.11) Rating: N/A |
I am back again. thanks for all the input.My generator needs plug wires, plugs, coil, points,oil change and fiter, fuel fiter, circut board and posibly a carb kit. I think the valves and the rest of the internal "guts" are fine. Ron | ||
| Jayjay (205.188.209.11) Rating: |
NAPA for all of the tune-up stuff for about $35.00 Do as Geoff suggests,and by-pass the circuit board with toggle switches, or find an AC voltage/current regulator at an industrial supply house. Onan's carbs are tough to get parts for since they are produced specifically for Onan,and that engine. (Tillitson in Italy? I heard)I think a new one is $300.00 to $400.00 bucks. Common solution to that is a Mikuni motorcycle carb (or late model fuel injection), though I can't give any definitive info on the F.I. system. Any body out there tried it? Let us know. A good set of rings can be had from a motorcycle shop. Another common fault is the Fasset electric fuel pump. Get one at a NAPA or Autozone parts house, THEN to stop float bowl flooding, be sure and install a pressure regulator set for 3 to 4 PSI. since most automotive units deliver fuel in the 12 to 15 PSI range. Sounds like a $50 dollar Sat. afternoon to me, and that includes a six-pack for the electrician to wire around the circuit board. (hold the beer 'til he's done wiring though. Cheers...JJ | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad) (204.193.117.66)
Rating: N/A |
Plugs, plug wires , points & condenser are available at just about any parts supply. Circuit board can be replaced with relays. I did this on our older Onan. 2 relay for start and stop and one relay for automatic low oil shutdown. Email me if you need more details. Hope this helps, Jack | ||
| John Feld (Deacon) (150.199.209.45)
Rating: N/A |
Go to Ebay, do a search for Onan and you will find all sorts of parts for sale reasonable. If you don't find what you want, try again next week as they change listings all the time. |
