Generator issue

[Mooney 78865]

I know there are a lot of generator issue threads out there, because I have read most of them. So to add to the confusion I'm going to throw my two cents in the mix
We have a 2014 Georgetown XL 378 and the Onnan Cummins 5500 generator. We bought the coach nearly 2 years ago. 7,500 miles on the speedo, and practically nothing on the generator.
Initially the generator would run for a couple hours then "rev" up and die as if it was starving for fuel. Sometimes it would do this in 20-30 minutes or less. It would never run more than 5 minutes if the coach was moving.
I replaced the fuel filter, then the fuel pump, no change. I came across a video on you tube from a guy about having the genset "over full" on oil. I removed enough to get the level down to just above add, same issue. All of the shut downs only produce the code "un commanded shutdown"
Bare in mind, I still would go out every month and run the unit with one or both AC's on to exercise the unit, always the same result, sometimes, it would run, sometimes only for minutes.
I figured my next step was to drop the fuel tank and replace the fuel line to the generator. Last Saturday I went to Auto Zone to pickup some replacement fuel hose. The clerk asked what I was doing. (nobody buys 6' of fuel hose any more) I explained what was up and she asked if I had tried Seafoam. I said I had not, she hooked me up with a can of spray and a can for the fuel. So I bought a few feet of hose instead of 6, so I could run the generator from a fuel can. I put 8oz of Seafoam in 2 gallons of gas, and started it up. It ran for two hours. I shut it off and sprayed the heck out of the carb with the spray Seafoam and let it sit for 15 minutes per the directions. Put everything back together, pushed the starter, and it lit up like never before! I mean it STARTED RIGHT UP. Next morning, short prime, light right up. Ran it 6 hours, 1 AC, 2 AC, no AC, I had been cleaning the black tank that afternoon and was heading back to storage, it ran the whole drive, dumped the tanks, still running. Finally had to shut it down when the cover went on.
So, if it's not throwing a "hard" code, and acts like it's starving for fuel, ya just may want to try some Seafoam. Looks liked it's worked for us.
I went back to Auto Zone the next morning with a dozen doughnuts... really didn't want to drop the tank!

[NMWildcat]

Fantastic! Congrats. Thanks for sharing your fix for an ornery generator.

[Dodge Guy]

Good find and thanks for sharing. This is why the generator should always be serviced regularly. And with the low hours you say you have they do get gummed up easily. I run mine all the time I think it has 330? Hours on it. I can't remember. I did do a complete service to it last fall before it went into storage. I filled the tank with greasy gas and sea foam and ran the gen you for an hour. Small engines with carbs that only idle with no hours will gum up quick. Got to excersize them often, long and hot.

[dbledan]

Seafoam is a great product that I have had to use in things like my mower snow blower weed wacker generator and other things that don't run too often now that ethanol is in most of the nearby fuel. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully it helps someone else.

[Iggy]

Seafoam is a good product.
I use Bertymanns B-12 every year in my motorhome tank prior to a long trip.
I also run the generator a few times.
I add 4 cans to the 80 gallon tank. 1 can is good for 20 gallons of gas.

My MH engine has never thrown a code and runs great with 73,000 miles so far.

Both products will clean the generator built up varnish in the carburetor and specifically near the Ventura.
It will also clean the spark plugs.
Not to mention the whole fuel system and injectors of my V10 engine.

See video.
https://youtu.be/plAu-vvEctM

[NXR]

I poured a couple of cans in but then I couldn't walk.

Ray

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by NXR

I poured a couple of cans in but then I couldn't walk.

Ray

LOL! Love it!

[Mooney 78865]

Originally Posted by NXR

I poured a couple of cans in but then I couldn't walk.

Ray

LOL! Too funny!

[Mooney 78865]

It's been a couple months since I did the Sea Foam treatment to the generator and thought I would share where we are at now.
We have had the Coach out a couple times in the past few weeks, both boondocking for three days each.
We ran the generator to and from both locations with the coach AC on and no issues what so ever. We also ran it multiple times while parked both trips and not 1 glitch. I'm actually starting to get some confidence in the generator! It seems that the Sea Foam has done the trick...

[Btm]

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

I filled the tank with greasy gas and sea foam and ran the gen you for an hour. Small engines with carbs that only idle with no hours will gum up quick. Got to excersize them often, long and hot.

What is "greasy gas"

Thanks

Btm

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Btm

What is "greasy gas"

I'm wondering why you're the only person who caught that. Good question.

Ray

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by NXR

I'm wondering why you're the only person who caught that. Good question.

Ray

Some posts you just shake your head at and move on.....