Spark Arrestor Cleaning in Berkshire MH Generator - Warning

[Superchief]

If you decide to clean out the Spark Arrestor on your generator, be careful! I did mine for the first time yesterday, according to the owners manual, and got a face full of soot when I took the plug out. The designer of the placement of the plug must have once worked for a laugh factory. The plug is in a hard to see and get to place. I was on my back, on a creeper, looking up, trying to get the plug loose with a socket wrench that had three extensions on it. As things go, I had my mouth open when the plug came out. My white beard now has a hint of black in it, even after I quickly showered. Luckily I had glasses on at the time, which kept the soot out of my eyes. Good thing DW wasn't around at the time. She would have hurt herself laughing and trying to find a camera. Maybe next time, I can get her to look and see if the plug is loose and out. 😂

[Herk7769]

Mr. Former Safety Officer here:

Always wear eye protection when working over your head or under the vehicle.
Just as toast always lands butter side down, something dropped from above seems to always land on your eyes.

Corollary 1: If it is heavy (like a wrench or socket) it will ALWAYS hit you in the teeth resulting in a large dental bill. (Face shield recommended...)

[kingwood390bh]

Craig, I hope to gain the knowledge to work on my own generator. When I do, to be smart, I'll wear a plastic bag over my head. For now, I have an appointment with the Onan people to fix mine.

[kingwood390bh]

Also, what were the sympoms that caused you to clean out the arrestor? In a previous thread I detailed my own generator problems.

[Herk7769]

I remember a line from sixth sense.
If I recall it correctly it goes:

“I see stupid people…
…they’re everywhere…
they walk around like everyone else…
they don’t even know that they’re dumb.”


Just kidding everyone!
Don't turn me in!

[amarzano]

wow - there is a spark arrestor on the Berkshire generator? And it needs to be cleaned?

Any chance you could share some photos and suggestions on how to do this?

Thank You..

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Mr. Former Safety Officer here:

Always wear eye protection when working over your head or under the vehicle.
Just as toast always lands butter side down, something dropped from above seems to always land on your eyes.

Corollary 1: If it is heavy (like a wrench or socket) it will ALWAYS hit you in the teeth resulting in a large dental bill. (Face shield recommended...)

And if there is a sharp edge, the wrench will slip and somehow your hand will find that sharp edge. Wear leather gloves. (voice of experience)

[Superchief]

Originally Posted by kingwood390bh

Also, what were the sympoms that caused you to clean out the arrestor? In a previous thread I detailed my own generator problems.

Kingwood390bh,

I had noticed a couple of days ago that the end of the generator exhaust pipe was getting black. But that wasn't the reason that I cleaned it initially. I was changing the oil & filter at the chart hours. I noticed that the chart said to clean the spark arrestor after 150 hours. I followed the details in the owners manual, however no warning as to what might happen. Herk didn't write it!

[Superchief]

Herk,

The trouble with ex-submariners, is they believe everything "fails safe"...