Common Problem Onan Cummins RV Generator 2.8 KV 2800

Songs used in the video:
Otis McDonald - Not For Nothing
Behind these Closed Doors - Otis McDonald

[@toycarcollector]

We have a one year old Onan 2800 on our 1 year old Winnebago Travato. Our generator at 11 hours of use began surging and dying. All previous use was just exercising the unit. I did attempt to do a cleaning with Seafoam in the gasoline and a few sprays or carburetor cleaner into the intake. Actually it would idle when spraying then surge and die. That did not work so we took it to the Onan sevice center. I was reluctant to take the time to do that as we have been told that Onan usually denies the warranty coverage. So they did a check and the called and said it was the carburetor would be warrenty covered. What a relief I did a happy dance! Then an hour later they called back and said “sorry we found residue in the bowl and that Onan would not warranty the repair”. The price for removing the unit and replacing the carburetor was said to be $961. I asked for a better price and they did agree to $650. So looks like what I have been reading all over the internet is true, if you put gas in your generator and follow the suggestions for keeping it exercised there still will be no warranty coverage for your $3,500 generator.

[@davidmosher4859]

Thanks for the video but PLEASE in the future stop the music or at least turn down volume by 70%

[@jimwebb9328]

Mine won't fire even with starting fluid. I tried a new sparkplug but still no spark. Where does the spark come from? Coil? Magneto? Need some guidance to find where the break in the in the spark path is.

[@VladMaktrucks]

It from coil

[@jimwebb9328]

Update. Dropped genset (not fun). Found wire disconnected from coil. Impossible to see without dropping genset. Now it runs but only if I hold the start button. If I let go, it dies. One vid on the Onan 4000 says to clean oil press sensor. Another says the problem is the regulator. No one seems to cover this on a 2800. Any hints?

[@VladMaktrucks]

try to adjust load regulator , no oil sensor on this model

[@tiffanylease1448]

How much gas does this use? For one nite of use?

[@VladMaktrucks]

Sorry I didn't know

[@EE-ve3vh]

NEVER NEVER NEVER use glass container with gasoline or flamables!!!!!!

[@MarkWilliams-ix1qf]

From all these comments, it seems like Onan really is unable to fix old units, or does not want to. Either the parts are out of production (electrical) or they can't diagnose it, or... Many have said they went round and round, spent money, got nowhere. Why? Onan knows they have a monopoly on small generators in RVs, so they just don't improve products or support them well. Maybe they are counting on a brisk replacement business. I can't stand that attitude. They do have a new 2800i model that is fuel injected and uses an inverter, so it should be more reliable (no carb) and more efficient (they can slow the engine to save fuel with an inverter). Perhaps so. Actually I would buy this in a heartbeat if I could trust Onan anymore, but I really lost confidence. It's very expensive ($4k) and very long lead to buy. But how do I know this one is not a lemon too? No competition, they get away with anything and people are locked in. I've lost confidence in Onan product support. If you have an older unit and it runs, lucky you. If it doesn't run, nobody can fix it. That's why I suggest a small portable generator instead. The portable generator market has no monopoly, and a dog product won't sell. So we get some good products at attractive prices. They are not as convenient, but they does run when needed. My Onan is just a dead weight. This could be an allegory for how old line American companies become complacent and die off. I really wonder what will happen when the California ban on new sales of small gas engines begins in 2024. They'll move to propane which is exempt, but the market becomes wide open. Honda and Yamaha, are you listening?

[@rodsautter6135]

Onan has designed these generators so that they are very hard to work on. Tight spaces. No carburetor fuel clean out valves or lines. Junk

[@ssw2087]

that did you make you to be truck driver?

[@VladMaktrucks]

I want to make money ,but no money

[@jimwebb9328]

Thanks. Where is the coil located?

[@VladMaktrucks]

Follow high voltage

[@jimwebb9328]

Sorry but that doesn't help. My generator looks like yours but is tucked up under a Pleasure Way van rather than a Roadtek. Because of the generator location i can't follow the spark plug wire. Do i need to drop the generator to access the coil? You are the only one on youtube that has a generator under the van like mine.

[@VladMaktrucks]

@@jimwebb9328 it ez to work on it if you drop it

[@donraptor6156]

They burn up the$400.00 voltage controllers every 70hursor so! Real junk!

[@donkeykong516]

Onan is crap generator, need to get Honda into the action here then Onan might step up their game.

[@californiasun162]

I think the video is OK but man the camera person sucks it’s unfortunate