How to Remove the Carburetor on a RV ONAN Generator
by John Cagney Nash
Generator carburetors are prone to becoming gummed up with contaminants from old fuel, a deposit called varnish. Without the addition of a fuel preservative, this can happen in as short a period as one month if the recreational vehicle, or RV, is unused. When this occurs, it will be necessary to remove and clean the carburetor as part of flushing the entire fuel system. Onan generator carburetors are typically of a primitive design, and their removal is straightforward so long as the layout of the RV allows easy access.
Step 1
Use an adjustable wrench to disconnect the negative cable of the battery which serves to start the generator. This will typically be the coach battery. This is particularly important if your generator has a dedicated low-pressure fuel pump fitted in-line.
Step 2
Determine the location of the carburetor on your Onan generator. Use your owner's manual or follow the fuel line.
Step 3
If there are any control wires attached to the carburetor, use a tiny spot of different colored nail polish to mark each spade connector and its terminal and then carefully slide the spade connectors off the terminals. Put the wires where they cannot be harmed. Onan carburetors do not typically have wiring to them.
Step 4
Use an adjustable wrench to free the nut holding the fuel line to the inlet port of the carburetor. Gently draw the fuel line away from the inlet, and cover the end with masking tape to prevent the ingress of contaminants.
Step 5
Use a properly sized socket to remove the bolts holding the carburetor to the body of the generator's engine. There will typically be two bolts, but some Onan models have more. Put the bolts where they won't be lost.
Step 6
Draw the carburetor away from its location, trying not to damage the gasket. Use a rag dipped in a solvent such as acetone to clean the face of the engine where the carburetor was sited, and then bunch up a clean piece of rag and insert it slightly into the hole in the engine to keep contaminants from entering.
References
Tips
- Use a digital camera to take photos of the carburetor before removing it from the Onan generator. These will make valuable reference guides when reinstalling the unit.
- Older gaskets may fracture when the carburetor is removed. Be sure to check for this, and use new gaskets if necessary.
Things You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- Nail polish
- Masking tape
- Socket set
- Clean rag
- Solvent
Writer Bio
John Cagney Nash began composing press releases and event reviews for British nightclubs in 1982. His material was first published in the "Eastern Daily Press." Nash's work focuses on American life, travel and the music industry. In 1998 he earned an OxBridge doctorate in philosophy and immediately emigrated to America.
