Generator oil fill

BIGPAPA1970 · 03-25-2023, 08:36 PM

2018 M2 FS. How is everyone filling the Onan generator? I currently am using a funnel with some clear tubing. Such an awkward space with the door and the wall.

JimD · 03-25-2023, 10:07 PM

I used a small funnel and always made a mess. Worked better with this syringe. The trick is to suck in the correct amount into the syringe to avoid overflows.

SloPoke · 03-26-2023, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGPAPA1970

2018 M2 FS. How is everyone filling the Onan generator? I currently am using a funnel with some clear tubing. Such an awkward space with the door and the wall.

I use the same technique... I use a nylon wire tie to attach the funnel to a leg of a ladder to hold the funnel in place above the fill hole on the gen. Leave some slack in the hose so you can pull it out and put the end in a dixie cup while you check the level. I also suggest that you heat up the oil in the container so that it flows faster, I usually service mine in the early spring, and the days are still too cold for oil to flow.

repeach · 03-26-2023, 11:58 AM

I am sure I over kill things, but I just pull the four bolts on the bottom of the Genny and slide it part way out. Much easier access for service. When done, I slide it back in and put the four bolts back in place.
I love my Seneca, but I really wish the would put the Genny on a drawer like they do in the front of the Class A's.

SloPoke · 03-26-2023, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpietsch

I am sure I over kill things, but I just pull the four bolts on the bottom of the Genny and slide it part way out. Much easier access for service. When done, I slide it back in and put the four bolts back in place.
I love my Seneca, but I really wish the would put the Genny on a drawer like they do in the front of the Class A's.

I'd like to see pictures of how that works...

repeach · 03-27-2023, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloPoke

I'd like to see pictures of how that works...

I looked, no pictures from last time. You will have to wait about 50 more hours of use before I service it again. I will try and remember to take pics and post them.
But basically, undo the four bolts, and I slide it out a little then rotate it so the fill spouts are out in the open. It really is the only way to check the coolant.

RVermont · 03-27-2023, 05:57 PM

I recently had the privilege of having my generator fail due to corrosion and I pulled the unit out my self rather than take the rig to Cummins. Once you remove the bolts, (two snapped off) the unit actually slides fairly easily for weighing 450 lbs. But not sure I would take the bolts off to get to the oil fill. The bolts are put in from the bottom and thread into the aluminum base. I had the tech at Cummins drill out the base and am going to use through bolts to secure it.

SloPoke · 03-27-2023, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVermont

I recently had the privilege of having my generator fail due to corrosion and I pulled the unit out my self rather than take the rig to Cummins. Once you remove the bolts, (two snapped off) the unit actually slides fairly easily for weighing 450 lbs. But not sure I would take the bolts off to get to the oil fill. The bolts are put in from the bottom and thread into the aluminum base. I had the tech at Cummins drill out the base and am going to use through bolts to secure it.

We had ours removed at Cummins for the 1000-hour service. They have to remove the unit and all work is done on their bench equipment. They have specialized equipment to remove / replace our gen in the storage bay. I saw how it looked in the empty bay of our Seneca while it was in the service area and there are connectors, cables, wires on both sides of the unit. Fuel, Battery and bonding on the right side... Control cables, output cables in a flexible conduit on the left side with pretty short cables to get hooked up. I would be concerned with tugging any of these cables/hoses/wires if I was moving the unit around.

BIGPAPA1970 · 03-28-2023, 07:56 AM

So service fill isn’t really a problem, I just take the green cover off the front and unbolt the fill tube and coolant tank, swing them out and easy fill. My question really is when just topping off between oil changes. The syringe seems like a better option than the funnel tube.

repeach · 03-23-2024, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloPoke

I'd like to see pictures of how that works...

Sorry it took me so long to get back with you on this, but here is the video of me servicing the Genny where I slide it out to fill.

https://youtu.be/V4qhp343ld4

javamon · 03-23-2024, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repeach

Sorry it took me so long to get back with you on this, but here is the video of me servicing the Genny where I slide it out to fill.

https://youtu.be/V4qhp343ld4

Thanks Bob. Do you think you can safely slide the gen out far enough to replace the coolant thermostat?

Also, don't forget to clean the spark arrestor. I clean mine every time I change the oil so I don't have to keep track of it as a separate item.

repeach · 03-23-2024, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javamon

Thanks Bob. Do you think you can safely slide the gen out far enough to replace the coolant thermostat?

Also, don't forget to clean the spark arrestor. I clean mine every time I change the oil so I don't have to keep track of it as a separate item.

If you are going to be tearing into it enough for the thermostat, you might want to build a little wood platform to slide it on. I only slide it out enough to fill and check the fluids.

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