Generator Oil Change

Depends on how often you use the generator. Since we use ours occasionally, I change it once a year (in the fall so it's ready to go in the Spring). Otherwise, check the owners manual. I've read oil changes every 150 hours or once a year.
 
It's easy and there is no oil filter(if yours is the common qg4000) so if you want to do it more than my 200hours or whenever I'm thinking about it, do. It allows you to check the air filter and look for fuel leaks and Rodent nests, so there's value beyond just the oil.

Remember that there is plenty of legal butt covering in every RECOMMENDATION. Oil change is recommended, not mandated by onan.

Punchline;
More often is better but there is no need to meet the exactness of time some folks do.
If you miss one it's not a worry.

(Do any of you remember the poster here who was going to have his rv towed off the road, in the middle of a trip, to an oil change place because he hit 3,000miles?)


I don't think you'll find an oil related failure in 1:1,000,000 of them regardless of oil change interval.
 
Last edited:
In the 15 years I owned my last coach, I never changed the oil in the generator. Like others have mentioned, the chances of a small engine failing from lack of oil changes is near nil. I kept the air filter clean, ensured there was sufficient oil in the engine and occasionally cleaned the carb. The generator ran like a top every time I started it. In a small engine run at a constant rpm sufficient oil is more important than clean oil.
 
One way to look at it:
A car at 60 MPH is a mile a minute. Oil change every 3000 to 5000 miles. Look at it as 50 to 83 hours on the meter.

Do you use yours a lot? For a lot of us, once a year may be just fine, for others maybe a little more often.
 
Several RV's and generators later, I still change once a year.
It more than likely doesn't need it but at less than 2 quarts of oil a year that's pretty cheap and it's easy to do. As Duck stated it's a good time to check the air filter, check for leaks and making sure critters haven't moved in.
 
I change my oil, oil filter and air filter at least once per year. I do use mine often and clock up at least 250 hours per year at a minimum. It is not that expensive considering it only takes just over one quart(depending on the model). I do use Onan oil and filters since it is still under the factory warranty from Onan.

Paul
 
Thank you very much for all your comments and advices. I purchased my RV one year ago and now it has 12,000 miles. I think it's worth it if I want to keep it a little longer.
 
Thank you very much for all your comments and advices. I purchased my RV one year ago and now it has 12,000 miles. I think it's worth it if I want to keep it a little longer.

The relevant question is how many hours on the genny for the correct answer to your question.

Not in my case and I don't recommend to others, but I change the oil in my genny and F-53 engine once a year regardless.

Why?
Because I know I average about 8k / miles per year in the RV. I use the same oil in the F53 as the Onan 5500, when I am going to be my version of a grease monkey it just makes sense for me. I do in the Spring to start a new season. While I do use the Motorcraft Oil filter for f-53 it only $5, I will find the best price on Onan 5500 oil filter or compatible. Since I change the filter every year I am never gonna learn what some worry about.

FWIW, I am average about 95 hours per year on my genny and that is with using it for any excuse I can find. I worry my genny usage is going to drop significantly due to increase of AH capacity on house batteries.
 
We spent the summer on a lot that we purchased that didn't have electricity. Hence we used the generator a lot. Put over 1,000 hours on it over the summer and I had it serviced at 500 and 1000 hours. Didn't have any problems with the generator all summer.
 
Per Onan Handbook every 150 hours or once per year whichever occurs first.

Breakin oil change at 50 hours.

This is correct. On my 4k generator, I change oil about every 100 hours. That makes it easy to remember . I use mine in all four seasons. If you put less than 100 hours in a year, I would change it yearly at the time of winterization [if you do that.] Because I have used mine at temps ranging from 104F to 6F, I use multi-vis Moble 1.

JimC
 
Last edited:
I have the Onan 5500 generator. The manufacturer recommendation was 50 hours. I checked it a 50, and the oil was like new with no particles. Just saying, YMMV.
 
I have the Onan 5500 generator. The manufacturer recommendation was 50 hours. I checked it a 50, and the oil was like new with no particles. Just saying, YMMV.

That is just because engine is new and with break in it is likely when particles may exist, it also serves as a legal safeguard in the event the owner did not do at 50 hours or could prove they did in 50 hours.

I don't worry about the hours, and will only do annually because I am doing the chassis engine anyway.
 
Break in oil.

I have the Onan 5500 generator. The manufacturer recommendation was 50 hours. I checked it a 50, and the oil was like new with no particles. Just saying, YMMV.

The first change of oil [break in] is the most critical. Since the engine casting is aluminum, the magnet test would not work. Metalic particals might be too small to be seen. I personally, would not skip it.
JC
 
In the 15 years I owned my last coach, I never changed the oil in the generator. Like others have mentioned, the chances of a small engine failing from lack of oil changes is near nil. I kept the air filter clean, ensured there was sufficient oil in the engine and occasionally cleaned the carb. The generator ran like a top every time I started it. In a small engine run at a constant rpm sufficient oil is more important than clean oil.

15 years? Dang!
 
Let's ask;

Can anyone post any significant percentages of oil related failures that caused real damage...
In Let's say the last 20 years..?


Post it or realize you've been duped by the oil and advertising agencies
IN THE 1960'S.

No failures certainly does not mean no oil changes.
It means to rerealize life and start thinking for yourself a bit.

Post 'em up.
I sway easily.

Bob Newhart
and
Junior jump up cube dweller first year nepotism hire attorney
wrote your manuals.
It wasn't machinist or physics or metallurgy folk.
It was written with the least expenditure of effort and funds and with the lowest common denominator as its target.
 
Last edited:
I guess if my RV sat in a barn and only used couple times a year I wouldn't need to change fluids and oil every 3ks of mileage.
 
I have an Onan Diesel 6000. Onan recommends changing the oil every 150 hours and I have changed it (myself) 150-200. Interesting that last time i had my Cummins diesel serviced (every 15K) I asked for a quote on changing my generator oil and filter. I got a estimate of $210. I declined and did it again myself though it's getting harder to crawl around on the ground. Oil and filter cost was $40.
 

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top