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Onan 4000 storage

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CalCruiser

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Onan 4000 storage
« on: April 29, 2020, 10:38:13 pm »
This quick and easy mod  protected  the generator while my 2350 sat unattended at the storage lot during the 6 week long emergency stay at home order. Before leaving it I cut the fuel line and installed a manual fuel shut-off valve between the carburetor and fuel pump using a pair of stainless steel hose  clamps.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mnp-12-0035?

To prevent the costly and stupid Onan 4000 no start carburetor failure problem, commonly caused by a gummed up  fuel shut-off solenoid in the float bowl, simply close the manual fuel shut-off valve while the generator is running and let it stall. When it’s time to put the generator back in service open the valve and press the prime switch for about 45 seconds, then it’s good to go.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2020, 10:36:38 am by CalCruiser »
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JJCruiser

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2020, 09:42:03 am »
I am going to put this on my "to do" list!  Ever since I started using this technique when shutting off my mowers and snow blowers, I have not had any carburetor issues.  With a quick google search, I see that Walmart also offers the shut-off valve on-line.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Motion-Pro-1-4-Inline-Fuel-On-Off-Valve-12-0035/255432201?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1421&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-51320962143&wl5=9022072&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112562755&wl11=online&wl12=255432201&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7qn1BRDqARIsAKMbHDbpzN3lN9qoOFc-6CCARrWczCrryQ3DPbifyk8S19gjvSdKfztojyUaAtx4EALw_wcB

It costs a little more, but I can get it by early next week.

I might have a few questions related to the installation once I look closer at the generator and decide where to cut the gas line.

Thanks for the post.

JJ
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Sarz272000

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2020, 10:13:56 am »
Good suggestion. Thanks for sharing.  I just add stabilizer to gas tank, run generator and when done drain generator carburetor using the drain screw.  I place a cloth under drain to catch fuel.

Ron S
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Joseph

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2020, 10:25:06 am »
I used stabil etc but my carb still went south. There is an upside, an after market replacement carb only costs $50 and takes all of 30 mins max to replace. These carbs are used in some John Deere mowers etc so generic carbs are readily available.
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DKCruzser

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2020, 12:16:52 pm »
Here is the valve I installed.  I agree the metal is better then the plastic valve that PC sent me.  Don't forget the clamps

dave
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Volkemon

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2020, 12:35:32 pm »
Thanks CalCruiser !  Thats a simple and effective idea.
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Sarz272000

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2020, 03:51:32 pm »
CalCruiser

Next time you invoke the shutoff switch and the generator stalls try to drain the carburetor with the screw just below it.  It would be interesting to see if any gas drains.

I run my Honda snowblower till it dies and still get some gas out of the carburetor when I unscrew it’s drain screw.

Thanks for sharing.

Ron S
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Ashby

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2020, 04:14:55 pm »
Question on installing a cutoff valve in the gas supply line.

Seams to me closing the valve while the generator is running would pull a vacuum on the carb and supply line shutting down the generator without getting all the gas out of the carb and line and the remaining gas could still gum up the carb? Posibiliy the gas could start to evaporate due to the lower pressure but I doubt there would be enough time for it all to get out before the generator stops. Perhaps a tee allowing air into the line when the block valve is closed would help get the gas out?
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Engineerlt

Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2020, 06:16:02 pm »
Hello
The float bowl on the carburetor is vented to atmosphere.  The venturi effect pulls the fuel up through the siphon tube, if the float bowl wasn't vented it wouldn't allow the gas to flow up the siphon tube... 

Lance
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2 Frazzled

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2020, 09:18:13 am »
Lance, does that siphon effect translate to say you should be able to burn off the gas after turning things off at a switch?

We had the switch installed, they ran her until she stopped, she sat in Texas heat for four months, and she won't start again. We eventually have to get her serviced (anyone know an honest RV repair north of Seattle?)
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Engineerlt

Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #10 on: May 02, 2020, 09:06:49 pm »
Not exactly sure what your asking.  If you install the valve, they were talking about in the supply gas line to the generator and let it run until it stalls it will drain the fuel from the float bowl. Sounds like a good way to get your generator ready for storage..  As for how a carburetor works, it uses a venturi, a restriction in the inlet air, which speeds up the velocity of the air, the siphion tube sticks up slightly into the high speeds air. The high velocity air passing the siphon tube creates a low pressure area as it passes the siphon tube which pulls the gas up from the float bowl into the engine. So if you use a switch to control the generator it doesn't do anything to get the fuel out of the float bowl and prevent it from gumming up the carburetor.

Not sure if this helps but if you have any other questions PM me and we can discuss it.

Lance
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mikeh

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #11 on: May 02, 2020, 10:51:38 pm »
Quote from: Engineerlt on May 02, 2020, 09:06:49 pm
Not exactly sure what your asking.

Not sure if this helps but if you have any other questions PM me and we can discuss it.

Lance

Lance---just trying to be of help if I can.  2 Frazzled was referring to the cutoff valve as "the switch".  For complete understanding of her issue, take a look at her original post on this subject which is not in the "General Discussion" category but is in "Tips and Tricks", posted under the topic "Generator gas line shut off switch".  It's the first post in the category.

Holly--if you shut the valve off at the fuel line and run the engine until it dies, you should burn MOST of the fuel out of the carburetor bowl--but not necessarily every bit.  It is common for a small amount of gas to remain in the bowl after the engine dies and everything stabilizes.  Regarding the "no start" condition:  since in your later posts on your problem, you say that you've confirmed that you have fuel in the carb, air pulsing out of the generator exhaust as you crank, and spark at the generator plug wire, there may not be much more to offer regarding the problem. You have said you cannot get the spark plug out--but that would be the next most logical thing. You are likely at the point that visiting a service center is your next step.

Mike
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BlueBlaze

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #12 on: May 23, 2020, 09:30:16 am »
I installed a fuel valve in mine a few years ago, while replacing my ruined carb.  I thought I didn't really need to exercise the generator every month, if I just used the drain screw to drain the carb before storage, any time I used it.  But after it sat unused for a couple of years, I discovered that it wouldn't start when I needed it during a power outage at a Nashville park.

I think the real reason you need a shutoff valve is that, after you think you've drained the carb, fuel slowly leaks through the fuel pump and fills it back up again, anyway. 

By the way, after turning off the valve and running the generator until it dies, you should still use the drain screw to drain the last bit of fuel from the carb bowl.
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Sarz272000

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #13 on: May 24, 2020, 12:07:19 pm »
Quote from: BlueBlaze on May 23, 2020, 09:30:16 am
I installed a fuel valve in mine a few years ago, while replacing my ruined carb.  I thought I didn't really need to exercise the generator every month, if I just used the drain screw to drain the carb before storage, any time I used it.  But after it sat unused for a couple of years, I discovered that it wouldn't start when I needed it during a power outage at a Nashville park.

I think the real reason you need a shutoff valve is that, after you think you've drained the carb, fuel slowly leaks through the fuel pump and fills it back up again, anyway. 

By the way, after turning off the valve and running the generator until it dies, you should still use the drain screw to drain the last bit of fuel from the carb bowl.

Good input thanks. I will check my carb bowl next time to see if gas is in it. I drain it with the drain screw also.

Does anyone know if there is an hour meter on the generator?  I have a remote hour meter on the start panel, but could not find any on or around the generator.

Ron S
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donc13

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Re: Onan 4000 storage
« Reply #14 on: May 24, 2020, 01:47:59 pm »
Quote from: Sarz272000 on May 24, 2020, 12:07:19 pm
Quote from: BlueBlaze on May 23, 2020, 09:30:16 am
I installed a fuel valve in mine a few years ago, while replacing my ruined carb.  I thought I didn't really need to exercise the generator every month, if I just used the drain screw to drain the carb before storage, any time I used it.  But after it sat unused for a couple of years, I discovered that it wouldn't start when I needed it during a power outage at a Nashville park.

I think the real reason you need a shutoff valve is that, after you think you've drained the carb, fuel slowly leaks through the fuel pump and fills it back up again, anyway. 

By the way, after turning off the valve and running the generator until it dies, you should still use the drain screw to drain the last bit of fuel from the carb bowl.

Good input thanks. I will check my carb bowl next time to see if gas is in it. I drain it with the drain screw also.

Does anyone know if there is an hour meter on the generator?  I have a remote hour meter on the start panel, but could not find any on or around the generator.

Ron S
There is not an hour meter on the generator itself.
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