Generator woe's 2012 raptor 381lev

[psdpower350]

for some reason it wont start. it has 20 gallons of fresh fuel, oil level is good and prime pump is working (at least i think it is due to the noise it makes) generator code via blinking light is 36. I can get it running w/ rag soaked in fuel held up to the intake for a couple minutes then it turns off.

any ideas:confused:

Thanks in advance
Carlos

[randy69]

Check your fuel filters. And pray it is not the carb.

[mikell]

Have you had it started before? If so whats happened since then. If not the fuel pump might need primed

[psdpower350]

the unit only has 25 hours on it. I have used it with no problems until now. If its the carb I'd be really disappointed. Luckily I'm under warranty.

I've primed it according to the manual. Held down the prime switich for 30 seconds and then crank. Still nothing.

I was planning on staying in rv if we lose power to house with the coming of Issac. Hopefully hispanola will tear the storm apart:)

[KenBob]

I am assuming this is an Onan. Possibly a 5500. If it were me, I would do the basics. check for spark. Check that fuel is getting to carb. Check that air is getting to engine/carb. The code 36 indicates lack of fuel. Pumps can make noise but not pump. I would check the fuel delivery system. If you are not mechanically inclined, this may be a problem. I would drain the carb float bowl. (instructions in manual) leave drain open and perform priming procedure. If fuel flow from drain, the fuel is getting to genset. If not, then possible pump or line restriction. Manual shut off valve or switch in the system?

[psdpower350]

Thanks KenBob. You are correct, its an onan 5500. Luckily I'm mechanically inclined. Spark is good and no restrictions on intake. I was going to check supply fuel line but did not want to tamper with clamp that was used to secure line. It is not reusable. Didn't think about draining the bowl to check priming. Thanks for that. I will check it this morning.

[SAABDOCTOR]

psdpower! good luck with the storm hope you will be ok! if the fuel has sat for a bit it will varnish up and stick the needle in the float bowl. once you get it cleaned out and running put some "sta-bil" in the fuel tankthis will help prevent that form happing again. good luck with the everything:)

[psdpower350]

Thank you SAABDOCTOR it looks like it will pass west of Tampa (but you never know)

I put some stabil in the tank unfortunately it was after the fact. (although the fuel is only 2 months old 3 tops.

KenBob, I drained the bowel and left open while holding the prime switch and there is good flow. No restriction. Started it w/ rag soaked in gas and it runs. Only thing I can guess is that the needle in carb is gummed up or something. I'm baffled. Hard to beleive that it gummed up from June to now with the occasional running in between. I could not find the actual procedure for draining the bowl. It wasn't to complicated. not sure if there is a particular procedure to restarting other than priming.

I guess it will have to go back to dealer after the long weekend. I don't want to miss out on St. Augustine trip:D

[SAABDOCTOR]

with the bowl off you should be able to see the jets that feed fuel to the throat of the carb. can you blast a little shot of air through the jet or spray some carb cleaner or brake clean through the jet? if you are getting a good flow of fuel when you hit the primer then the needle and seat are ok. good luck"bouncey:

[randy69]

Here are some easy things to try. Just below your altatude adjustment there is a screwed on solnoid. This is how it works, You start the gen it pulls down a needle that allows gas into the Carb bowl. Sometimes it sticks and doesn't allow gas in there. Just unscrew it and you can apply 12 volts on the bench to see if it pulls in.

[JRTJH]

Some points to remember:

Ethanol will dissolve/damage black rubber fuel hoses and the "sludge" will clog carb ports/jets.

Sta-bil will help prevent alcohol from separating in gasoline, but will NOT cause it to recombine. Once the gas is bad, it's bad.

A full gas tank has less potential for the "possibly separated" alcohol to absorb water since there is less air space in the tank to allow for condensation. ie: a full tank or empty tank is best, half full is asking for trouble.

Run the generator until it starves for gas (empty the carb) if you won't be using it for a while.

[SAABDOCTOR]

gas that is 3 mo old is getting to the point of bad. and yes sta bil after the fact is worthless like closing the gate after the horse is gone. if you are getting flow with the bowl off then the solinoide is working still would look at a plugged jet! and do what john told you keep the tank full and the carb empty!:D

[mikell]

The seolonid keeps the engine from backfiring. as soon as the switch is turned off the fuel flow is cut. They are a pain

[psdpower350]

Hm. I did not remove the bowl, just unscrewed the screw to empty the bowl. I will give it another look. Scheduled visit to the dealer for generator and balancing tires with TPS system.

Thanks to everyone that has helped out. I really do appreciate it. Best site ever.

[psdpower350]

I will give that a try Randy. Thanks

[psdpower350]

Well no news yet but RV is back at dealer with other issues as well. Bedroom AC gave out on our last night in St. Augustine. It started whinning really loud so I immediately turned it off and went back to bed (3am) and tried it when I got up and it was a no go. I guess every new unit has its bugs that need to be worked out:(

Side note: I was going to have tires balanced but I fell out of my chair when service rep said it was $55.00 per tire:eek: times 6=NO WAY JOSE!
I will take them off and take to friends shop for balancing and TPMS.

I willl keep you all updated when I hear back from dealer on genny

[Luckybuck55]

Here are some easy things to try. Just below your altatude adjustment there is a screwed on solnoid. This is how it works, You start the gen it pulls down a needle that allows gas into the Carb bowl. Sometimes it sticks and doesn't allow gas in there. Just unscrew it and you can apply 12 volts on the bench to see if it pulls in.

Will this solenoid stop it from priming? I use sea foam in gas and start every month or so. Today it hit like it was going to start and quit and acts like not getting gas and has code 36 when you take solenoid off does the bowl come off? Never had problem before today! Thanks for your help ! Gary