Trojan Boat Forum

I'm getting ready to try to start my 6.5 Onan genset. It hasn't been running in 3 years. I've read stories about how some owners have trashed their gensets by "over-cranking" them which seemed to cause raw water to enter the engine via the exhaust valves? Anyone familiar with the details and prevention of this?

If you have a water lift muffler ( and most likely you do) there is a danger . Keep the water valve closed will help but open it as soon as it starts , yes its not the best thing for the impeller but thats better then sucking water through the engine .

I agree with Paul, shut the raw water intake off first. As for the impeller, I wouldn't worry too much about it because it's been sitting for 3 years so you REPLACED it first, and when you did, you added the impeller grease that came with the Onan kit, right??!!! That should keep it from turning to powder until you get the unit running.

you can hurt it by over cranking it, when I was messing with mine (po hadn't ran it in 8 yrs.) I filled the intake hose with ky jelly ( insert jokes here ) but it works ! and it kept the impeller from getting eatin'

alexander38 wrote:you can hurt it by over cranking it, when I was messing with mine (po hadn't ran it in 8 yrs.) I filled the intake hose with ky jelly ( insert jokes here ) but it works ! and it kept the impeller from getting eatin'

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Most of us keep a tube or two of the KY on the boat, but if you are one of those who don't just squirt a bottle of DAWN liquid dish detergent into the strainer.


RWS

All good suggestions guys. Thanks. Yep, will be changing and lubing the impeller before I go near the starter switch.