cummins/onan

[dutch]

he folks

what is your opinion about cummins/onan genny's??
i have a kohler now and like it but need to replace that one within a year or so.
i used to bring my onan in for mayor stuff to a cummings dealer but i dont really like them.
are kohler repair shops(or others) better???

dutch

Edit:
I changed the spelling on the title to make it easier to archive and search. --- A friendly moderator

[TomCat]

he folks

what is your opinion about cummins/onan genny's??
i have a kohler now and like it but need to replace that one within a year or so.
i used to bring my onan in for mayor stuff to a cummings dealer but i dont really like them.
are kohler repair shops(or others) better???

dutch

Edit:
I changed the spelling on the title to make it easier to archive and search. --- A friendly moderator

Hey Dutch,

I'm not too fond of the impersonal handling you get at the big/truck shops either, and instead found the smallest, one man, Onan authorized shop in my (Colorado Springs) area.
Mack, the wizard there, will meet me on the curb when I drive up, and get right onto my project, whatever it is.
Maybe you can find one of these type shops near you.

Jay
87 SaftLiner

[lesrMC9]

Somebody on this or another chat is/was a Onan rep. of some kind; his statement was that since Cummins takeover of Onan the whole unit [genset ]was of lessor quality, any Onan gensets prior to or made the first year after takeover are very good pieces of equipment.

[TomC]

Personally did not and still will not buy a Cummins or Onan product.  With Onan, you have to buy their control boards ($$) and other equipment since they make them.  Kohler is much the same, and Generac is just junk.  I went with Powertech since they used a Marathon generator, Kubota engine, and mechanical relays of the Bosch type that you can get at any auto parts store.  Have about 600 hours on it without problems (like 24,000 miles).  If you live on the east coast, use Powertech.  If you live on the west coast use Wrico International.  Good Luck, TomC

[rip]

I would not buy an Onan ever again.I have a 10kw diesel and ran great for 500 hrs.then the problems began.After spending over $1500.00 and several days in various shops,I think Onan finally got it repaired right.I also spent several hrs. working on it.I wish I was rich enough to replace it. Onan never could find the problem why the control board kept failing.Thanks to this board,I found the internal ground was the problem. If anyone is having a simular problem,let me know and I will tell you what I did.
       Don

[edvanland]

I will NEVER BUY A ONAN AGAIN.  Had two go bad under warranty, but Onan said the heads were not part of the engine so would not honor the warranty.  On my old Motor Homes when the Onans had cast iron engines they were great.  Burn me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me.
My 2 Cents and I sticking to it.
ED
MCI 7

[TomCat]

I guess I must be an exception. The only time my Onan has stopped in 646.4 hours, was once crossing I80 in Nevada over Thanksgiving 2005, when during a freezing rain storm my air filter formed ice and wouldn't pass air. It was still in there 3 weeks later when I got home. Mack pulled the air filter, pressed the starter and it roared to life! 

I probably have an advantage over a gas burner in that my 5500w LP Onan starts when I ask it to. So far, even down to 20*F. I keep the oil and filters changed, and it's working well for me so far.

Jay
87 SaftLiner