ONAN - runnaway

[Trojan]

I was having trouble with my old 7.5 Onan generator maintaining the proper voltage. Upon starting for a trip. I started the Onan and it quickly ran up to 160 volts and climing. I shut it down right away. I removed the cover and inspected the governor it was working but for some reason it was running on the high side. I tried to move it by hand to slow it down. It just made a click sound and slowed to a stop. Getting to the governor was no easy job. I had to remove the just about everything on the front of the motor. What I found was the retainer plate that locates the governor balls had come loose from the cam shaft gear and locked the governor in a minimum rpm mode. Now the fun began. All of the Onan dealers I had called had all kind of excuses why I could not get a replacement part. From prices of $18.50 TO 35.75. The shipping time was three weeks to when ever. I finely found a suppl yer (the factory)who could ship in 3 weeks for $19.50. I got the part in 3 DAYS. In the mean time. Not knowing how soon I would receive the part. I used JB weld and stuck it back together. It has never run so smooth. I now have the part for a backup. The point is, I could not believe the PI##Poor response I received from the Onan dealers. I will never replace this generator with another Onan. Do only to the help I didn't receive from their dealer net work. It sucks. The part was only about 4inches in. dia. and 1/2in. thick with 10, 3/4 inch slots that located the fly weight balls and a 2in. hole in the middle that slipped on the cam shaft.


BILL

 

[captddis]

It only got worse when Cummins bought Onan. Now they will not even talk to you on the phone. If you need a part that is not part of a stock order, there is a 25.00 charge for them to pull the part. You have to do a " boat down" order. I have always believed that generators were a sideline made so they can sell parts. Unfortunately most of the gen. manufacturers parts are out of sight expensive. On the plus side the gens are usually very reliable and do not need a lot of parts.
If a older gen needs a big repair, you are dollars ahead to replace it with new. The first time my MDJF breaks, A new unit will go in!

 

[TedZ]

Everyone has had the same lousy experience with Onan after the Cummins purchase. The issue is not that you wouldn't buy an Onan generator, that goes without saying, but why do they not think that that kind of parts service doesn't reflect on the whole company.

I think Cummins makes one of the best marine engine line in existance today, but if they are capable of being so arbitrary with the Onan parts, when will they do the same with the Cummins parts? I want to stress that for truck engines, we get great parts service, now...

Honestly, i have been treated so badly on Onan parts i think i will look at engines other than Cummins when repower time comes. I can't shake the notion that as the engines get older i am going to have to deal with some dumb policy made by dumber people.

Ted

 

[captddis]

I like the Cummins engines, but the local dist is so awful that I order parts from Seaboard in California. I did a head gasket on a 370 B, I asked the dist what the valve lash was, Their answer was I can not tell you! I called Cummins 1 800 DIESELS info line, their answer, IT IS CONFIDENTIAL !!!.
Then try to get marine parts good luck. I have a shelf of parts manuels, the numbers in them are wrong!
No matter how good the product is,without support I will not use them.

 

[captbuddy]

I agree with half of what everyone is saying. I will not buy a Onan to replace the old one when I get ready. But I have had great luck with parts. I use Cummins South in Albany, Ga. Talk with Kevin. He has been very good with ordering parts for me. I have ordered a lot of parts. Almost rebuilt the hold D__ thing. Never any problems getting the parts. His number is 229-888-6210 ext. #3.
captbuddy