More newbie questions

wengerda · 10-04-2007, 07:00 AM

What I will do without this forum? Okay, last weekend I changed the oil and air filter for my Onan Microquiet 4000. The maintenance table states that every 50 hours to clean the spark arrestor. Here are the instructions.
Refer to Table 3-1 for scheduled cleaning of the spark arrestor muffler (which meets U.S. Forest Service requirements). Cleaning is required for
maximum genset performance.
WARNING A hot muffler can cause severe burns. Let the muffler cool down before removing or installing the cleanout plugs. The muffler is mounted inside the genset housing. The cleanout plugs are located on the bottom side of
the muffler, accessible through the air outlet opening in the bottom of the genset. Clean out the spark arrestor muffler as follows:
1. Remove the cleanout plugs from the bottom of
the muffler (Figure 3-5).
2. Restart the genset and load it nearly to full power.
Let the genset run for about five minutes to
expel the soot in the muffler.
3. Stop the genset, allow the muffler to cool down
and then reinstall the plugs.

My problem is that the two plugs can not be removed with your metric/inches wrench/socket. The plugs are squares and it does appeared when I tried a 14mm socket is the right size but wrong socket. Where do you purchase square sockets? I contacted Onan, and they gave me the run around, I contacted a few authorized Onan dealer but they did not want to help either.
Any ideas? By the way a regular wrench would not work, is too deep to use one. it must be a socket with an extension.

aintgotnun · 10-04-2007, 07:30 AM

crows foot maybe?

It's a very short open-end wrench that attaches to a 3/8" socket

RAC · 10-04-2007, 07:34 AM

If not a crows foot, will a box wrench fit in far enough to get a bite?

wengerda · 10-04-2007, 07:41 AM

That does look like the right tool. Why they have to make it so difficult.

wengerda · 10-04-2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredArmyCWO

If not a crows foot, will a box wrench fit in far enough to get a bite?

No wrench will bite, it must have some kind of extension.

RAC · 10-04-2007, 07:43 AM

If it was easy, it wouldn't be an RV and everyopne would be doing it.

aintgotnun · 10-04-2007, 08:03 AM

now you have a reason to buy more tools

wengerda · 10-04-2007, 08:21 AM

More tools? But not knowing the exact size of this ^&* plugs now I will have to purchase a set of this "crow foots" sockets.

dimurrrw · 10-04-2007, 08:32 AM

Why not use the extension bar from the ratchet set? Chances are that the plug head is either 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 inch. Same as the square openings on the corresponding extension bars. Use a wrench, instead of the ratchet, to turn the other end.

dimurrrw · 10-04-2007, 08:45 AM

PS 14mm = .55 inches.

wengerda · 10-04-2007, 08:51 AM

Okay I will try that.

dimurrrw · 10-04-2007, 08:56 AM

Let us know if it works. Good information for the rest of our generator equipped folks.

welshman599 · 10-04-2007, 05:13 PM

Ordinarily a 12 point socket will work on square heads, you have to experiment with socket size though.

HookMeUp · 10-05-2007, 09:08 AM

I'm a litle confused about weather this plug has an "innie" or and "outtie" wrench attachment. I'm sure that they put these plugs in the muffler before they installed the muffler to the genset. I would remove the muffler so you can get better access to these plugs. Once you have them removed I would take the plugs to the local hardware store and suitable replacements that have a hex so that an allen wrench can be used to remove them the next time you have to preform the maintenance.

just my 2cents ...

wengerda · 10-05-2007, 09:48 AM

I wish I could remove the muffler, but I am not mechanical incline.

wengerda · 10-09-2007, 02:30 PM

Okay, I went to Sears and asked for a crow claws tool without too much success. After 1/2 hour looking for the tool I found it. After seeing the tool I thought there is no way I can use it to remove this square bolts. Then I had an idea to buy one of this sockets that fits all. And with a lot of elbow grease, I finally got this two square bolts out. The maintenance book for the Onan generator states to remove the bolts every 50 hours, right.. the previous owner never did. By the way that is a very handy tool to have in the tool set. Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

This weekend is our last camping trip of the season (Yogi Bear in Luray, VA). After ending that trip I will be winterizing my camper and waiting until next year to go ahead and go camping again.

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