Onan Cummins Propane Generator

[Geterdone]

I have an Onan propane generator, factory equipped on my Lance 2013, 1172 and have not done much maintenance. It has 58 hrs on it. I was going to try and change air filter, but seems difficult to get cap off in the units enclosure. Are there any other tips on keeping this unit in good running shape.
steve

[Eric_Lisa]

Geterdone wrote:
...I was going to try and change air filter, but seems difficult to get cap off in the units enclosure....

I changed my air filter once. Never ran the same again. It is really tough to get the filter and cover back in place properly. With propane it is very sensitive to air/fuel ratio, and changing the filter messed it up.

Good luck!
-Eric

[mellow]

You want to run it to exercise the brushes and charging on it, not just the engine. Important to run it under load so flip the AC on or turn on the microwave, something to put the the generator under load, its one of those use it or loose it kinda deals.

[towpro]

I read Amsoil only uses molybdenum in off road grease, not in the oil.

[Kayteg1]

Main advantage of propane is that it does not leave residues in carburetor, meaning no need to run it, just to avoid that.
I noticed that synthetic oil quieter my older Powerstroke engine as well.
Could not figure out good explanation for it, but it happens.
Main advantage of synthetic in generator is that it will leave permanent molybdenum coating on parts, so even when you start it after a year, the parts will still have some kind of lubrication for the few seconds before oil reaches them.

[dirtyhandz]

Basic maintenance. Change oil, Air filter, Plug, etc....
But as posted above, RUN the thing at least a couple hours a month!

[jimh406]

While we are on oil, I switched to synthetic and it was noticeably quieter.

[trail-explorer]

Geterdone wrote:
I have an Onan propane generator,... Are there any other tips on keeping this unit in good running shape.

Change the oil.

[ardvark]

Your genny will last much longer and have a happier life if you use it at least two hours a month under a load. I think that is still in the Onan manual.

[jimh406]

If you do some searches in the archives, there are some maintenance guides. I don’t have the links handy.