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Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 5:06 pm
by tdashmike
Hey guys, I want to document the removal process a little and also maybe get some tips. This is currently a work in progress.

Removal Process:
1. Disconnect the negative terminal of the house battery.
2. Loosen the 2 nuts on the u-bolt connecting the exhaust pipe to the muffler. No need to take the nuts off, just loosen them 5 to 10 turns or so.
3. Remove the 2 bolts holding the generator in place.
4. Remove any drain pipes.
5. Lift the generator out and place it on something sturdy. The bottom of the compartment opening is roughly 28" off the ground.
6. Remove the gas hose and clamp it.
7. Remove the cover. There are 2 torx screws on either side holding the cover in place.
8. Service as needed.


What I did for maintenance:
1. Changed the air filter.
2. Changed the fuel filter.
3. Changed the fuel pump.
4. Cleaned the float bowl and main jet and passages with metal wire, wire brush and some carb cleaner.
5. Held the choke and throttle open and sprayed half a can of carb cleaner into the carburetor intake. Drained the carb cleaner out after a few hours by taking the spark plug out. Be careful, carb cleaner will come pouring out of the spark plug hole.
6. Re-gaped the spark plug and scrubbed the spark plug down with wire brush and carb cleaner.
7. Performed voltage and frequency check and adjusted the main jet and governor as necessary. The main jet is just the altitude adjustment knob.


U-bolt and Bolt #1 Location:
Bolt 2.jpg
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Bolt #2 Location:
Bolt 1.jpg
Bolt 1.jpg (41.41 KiB) Viewed 14192 times


It looks like I need to go get a pipe wrench or something, someone added a drain pipe so I will have to take the pipe off in order to get the generator out. The reason I'm taking it out is because the generator will shut down when my AC compressor comes on although whenever the compressor kicks on for the first time when I start the generator it'll be fine. It's when it gets to temp and shuts down and restarts does the generator shut down. To mitigate this issue on the last trip I just set the thermostat to the coldest setting and it would run fine. Any tips is appreciated.

Drain Pipe:
Drain Pipe.jpg
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Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:50 am
by tdashmike
Finally got the drain pipe off after a couple of hours. It was really hard to work blindly and in such a small space. The other thing was the pipe was in 3 parts so you had to remove them in order or the pipe won't come out because the barb part would hit the support on the side.

Something else that seems odd is that I think the pipe is 1/4" NPT but I think the drain plug is in metric?
IMG_2872.jpg
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Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:54 am
by tdashmike
Other photos:
IMG_2879.jpg
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IMG_2880.jpg
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Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:57 am
by tdashmike
Continued...

There is supposed to be a gasket between the intake fan and the metal sheet but the gasket is completely gone. I noticed some of the foam that was used on the generator is deteriorating so the foam gasket was probably sucked through the intake fan at some point. Without the gasket, hot air would be sucked in instead of the cool air from the front. I plan on fixing this with some thick high temp aluminum backed insulation. I also noticed that the storage compartment beneath the generator and the couch above it gets really warm when the generator is running. I plan on adding insulation under the couch and above the storage compartment to improve this. Cold air is pulled in from the front and goes out the hole on the bottom where the exhaust pipe is and that is blowing straight onto the storage compartment.
IMG_2883.jpg
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IMG_2885.jpg
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Voltage Regulator:
IMG_2884.jpg
IMG_2884.jpg (78.1 KiB) Viewed 14168 times

Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:58 am
by tdashmike
Continued...

Remote Plug:
IMG_2886.jpg
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Comparment:
IMG_2888.jpg
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Carburetor Part Number:
IMG_2889.jpg
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Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 9:11 am
by tdashmike
Continued...

Float Bowl and Main Jet After Cleaning:
IMG_2891.jpg
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Float:
IMG_2892.jpg
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View From Air Intake:
IMG_2893.jpg
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I have to say the carb didn't look too bad, I was expecting it to be gummed up from sitting around so long. Below is a thread on adjusting the carb which I'll be doing also as soon as I can get the oil drain plug back in and I'll also be adjusting the governor according to the service manual.

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127454

Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 1:53 pm
by tdashmike
The generator runs pretty good now. A little bit rough at idle but not too bad. At least the generator doesn't shutdown when the A/C compressor kicks on now.

This is what it sounds like right now:
https://youtu.be/eRGV7Jzm4IA

Let me know if that sounds and looks normal to you.



Found a tip that might be useful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaUDaYO8kPY

Basically remove the 2 intake elbow screws and the carburetor will come out.

Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 1:19 pm
by Alaskan
Good post and information, with pictures....thanks

Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 11:56 pm
by usachris
tdashmike wrote:
Wed Jul 18, 2018 1:53 pm
This is what it sounds like right now:
https://youtu.be/eRGV7Jzm4IA
Let me know if that sounds and looks normal to you.
Yup. That sounds pretty good. I pulled the original Onan generator on my 99’ due to it failing and installed a 2012 Onan. That was the last model year that was compatible with the generator hole on my B190. In 2013 the Onan Microlight grew an inch taller and sadly would not fit. I installed a new factory carb, fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plug and air filter and she purrs like a kitten now. I ran the generator for about 8 hours a day for a five days straight and couldn’t have been happier with the performance.
Getting ready to install new parts
Getting ready to install new parts
A0657064-0062-43D4-B338-67DAA7840960.jpeg (3.21 MiB) Viewed 13909 times
Used the “2 Bolt” trick to drop the carb
Used the “2 Bolt” trick to drop the carb
2CF09D6B-D8C9-473A-A81F-20C62A4A7DB7.jpeg (3.02 MiB) Viewed 13909 times
Almost done. Just electrical connections left.
Almost done. Just electrical connections left.
EE32DCC7-371F-4D5A-8EDA-0506130BFF6A.jpeg (2.98 MiB) Viewed 13909 times
There was lots of cleaning up to do after this job was finished :wink:

Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:21 am
by tdashmike
Glad you were able to find a newer one and got it working smoothly! Mine has bee working well ever since also.

Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 3:49 pm
by 190-b-651
Good information 2017 onan
1993 b190 you need to remove the door to install it.
On my 93 anyway I was told the same thing by a few places. Industrial electric saved the day huge on the west coast electric motor and generator shop.Image

Sent from my SM-J727T1 using Tapatalk


Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 8:42 am
by tdashmike
That's good to know, thanks.

Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:33 pm
by mickle
I've removed my generator for the second and last time and came up with a much easier way to do it. Remove the storage compartment below first, then it is very easy to access oil drain, exhaust and fuel lines, etc. Put some supports under the compartment before unscrewing it, it is heavy. There are 4 screws in the compartment and 6 or 7 more holding the wheel trim (it seems to be all one connected unit). Only takes about 10 minutes to remove it all and then you won't need to be crawling under the RV. I'm replacing the gen space with a large inverter, and upgraded battery system (inside RV). If you are near San Francisco and want to buy the old gen contact me.
genrem1.jpg
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genrem2.jpg
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Re: Generator Removal for 1998 B-190

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2023 5:38 pm
by FranGuy
Hi All,

New owner here! I am trying to fix the onan on my 1999 B190. After removing the fuel line on the front panel, I have concluded that my onan is not starting because it is not getting fuel. It will crank, but not fuel comes through the line. I have a couple questions:

1. I heard that the generator will not start if the truck fuel tank is below 1/4. I have not been able to find any info on how this system works, but could this be why the genny is not getting any fuel, and if so is there a way to confirm?

2. I am in the throws of attempting to remove my onan to get at the fuel pump, since that could also be faulty. The OP said that he was able to remove the drain hose to get the generator out.
tdashmike wrote:
Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:50 am
Finally got the drain pipe off after a couple of hours. It was really hard to work blindly and in such a small space. The other thing was the pipe was in 3 parts so you had to remove them in order or the pipe won't come out because the barb part would hit the support on the side.

Something else that seems odd is that I think the pipe is 1/4" NPT but I think the drain plug is in metric?

IMG_2872.jpg
Did you also have to remove the piece of pipe that the elbow strews on to??? Is that why you mentioned needing a pipe wrench? That sounds like a royal pain in the a**. Also if that is the case, is there any secret to unthreading that piece of pipe or is just a matter of twisting it with a pipe wrench?

Thanks in advance!