Onan 5500 Generator Surging

bigben · 01-11-2016, 02:05 AM

Looked all over for the specific problem and a solution. Hard to find on forums but I did find the answer. Here is my share.
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The problem: Onan 5500 Gasoline powered generator in our 2015 Thor Challenger developed what I can best describe as frequent surge in operation. It was also fluctuating the electrical power. It continued to get worst. I looked all over the internet and could not find a good answer until I went to this website https://www.equinerv.com/node/2279. It REALLY helped.

Bottomline I followed the directions for using Sea Foam and WOW problem fixed. Apparently the carburetor had gotten "gummed up" and the Sea Foam cleaned it out.

We are at least 140 miles from a repair facility for our generator and without this fix our winter travel plans would have been significantly altered.

Thanks to the folks over at EquineRV.com.

09 Challenger · 01-19-2016, 06:51 PM

always use some sort of fuel stabilizer This 10% ethanol gas starts breaking down at 2 weeks

Oneilkeys · 01-19-2016, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigben

Looked all over for the specific problem and a solution. Hard to find on forums but I did find the answer. Here is my share.
-----
The problem: Onan 5500 Gasoline powered generator in our 2015 Thor Challenger developed what I can best describe as frequent surge in operation. It was also fluctuating the electrical power. It continued to get worst. I looked all over the internet and could not find a good answer until I went to this website https://www.equinerv.com/node/2279. It REALLY helped.

Bottomline I followed the directions for using Sea Foam and WOW problem fixed. Apparently the carburetor had gotten "gummed up" and the Sea Foam cleaned it out.

We are at least 140 miles from a repair facility for our generator and without this fix our winter travel plans would have been significantly altered.

Thanks to the folks over at EquineRV.com.

Following is a quote from a thread I posted in the forum last September. Sea Foam is great stuff. Search Sea Foam" for full thread.

In South Florida, I have used Sea Foam in my RVs for the last ten years. When I had issues with my the generator in my first RV (wouldn't start, stalled constantly) my local mechanic told me he could tear it down and clean it, but if I would just run a couple of cans of Sea Foam thru it, it would be fine. Boy was he right. I have used it regularly ever since and have never had a problem with my generators. Helps the big engine too.