Onan generator what kind of oil

Add A Posting. United States Canada Add Campground. Mission Statement : Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts. Onan gas Generator oil type. I use my motorhome in winter and summer. Anybody use this in their gas generator? Use to use in my Motorcycles without issue. Join iRV2. I would suggest full synthetic in any gas engine. My only exception is my old collector cars.

Run regular with a zinc additive in those. Not sure what generator you have but I use the same Shell Rotella 15w as you do.

Most Onan techs I know recommend it. I'm using semi synthetic now but will switch to full synthetic when I use the semi up. I've used the Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W40 in all my small engines for the past ten years with no bad side effects. Used in temps from to 98 degrees, no issues starting, burning oil or overheating, even when my Cub Cadet tractor 18HP Kohler Magnum was clogged up with mice nests. I credit it to saving the Magnum when my son tried starting it when the crankcase had filled with gas due to a bad carb float I had installed a week earlier.

Using thinner grades will increase oil consumption and wear. Originally Posted by Chargerman. How do I check oil level on Onan ? Here is how to check the oil in your Onan: Step 1 : Locate your Onan. Step 2: Remove the access cover. Step 3: Locate the Dip Stick. Step 4: Unscrew the dipstick.

Step 5: Check the oil level. Step 7: Read the oil level. Step 8: Add oil if low. Step 9: Screw the dipstick back in. Does an Onan generator have an oil filter?

Looks like you have a MicroQuiet generator. They are a small single cylinder engine and it does not have an oil filter. If the oil is too thin, then expect to burn a little more over those same time frames. Different generator models have different oil change deadlines. Some generator users were able to go over hours using synthetic oil and did not make a change. But it is recommended that for the model, you should change the oil every hours or so. For the model, that time limit is extended to hours.

To be exact, you should check your owners manual and see what the manufacturer says. Changing the oil on an Onan generator is not the same as changing the oil on your car. There are some differences. Here are the basic steps to follow:. One possible origin of this problem is that gas has gotten into the oil somehow. When this happens it could be that you have a carburetor problem. The carburetor is probably plugged by varnish. When gas ages, it tends to turn into varnish and will clog up the lines in the carburetor blocking the newer gas from getting through.

When gas sits for a while this process starts and using fuel additives will only slow it down. So, In my honest opinion, and I am not the expert, since it is man made polymers in the mix, making it multi-grade viscosity oil, does that not make it semi synthetic? Even though not advertised as such. I remember our instructor, who engineered at Mobile Oil told us; that it is not recommended to mix different manufacturer's multi-grade oils, with others', as the polymers may not cohabitate equally while mixed and heated together.

Things may be different now a days, but it was food for thought for a young apprentice. I admit, I have needed a quart, while on the road, bought what was on the shelf to add to the engine, and I never experienced a problem, knowing full well it was different from what was in there.

But todays vehicles are built with tighter tolerances, and qualities are better. I digress, just thought this will add Gritz, I was surprised at the 0W in our Altima. Have used Mobil 1 from start, now over , miles with no issue. I am not against Synthetics when it is specified by manufacturer. Have a Suburban with 5. I tried full synthetic and synthetic blend, both used oil rapidly.

Normal oil usage was a half quart every 2, miles, both synthetics were more than double usage and no leaks. It has over , now on convenntional GTX. Today's engines are built different The oil lines are smaller to generate higher flow rates and quicker cooling.

One of the hardest things I've had to accept is the changing technology. Even use their own "branded oil", even though they don't make it Originally Posted by Muggs. The way I look at it is If the engine was designed for Synthetic then use Synthetic never go to Dino oil.

But if it says Dino oil or better Keep in mind this tread is talking about an old school, air cooled, carbureted, single cylinder engine Im assuming he has the Onan series not a modern Car or truck engine that even seems to be talking about now. Those two are miles apart But I plan on changing to Synthetic oil on my Genny as well By very nature air cooled engines have bigger clearances than a water cooled engine. I don't consider synthetics due to expense in this application.

Neither the RV Onan or the trailer mounted Champion have required oil addition between changes yet. The Onan get changed every hours due to not getting used much. The Champion on trailer gets changes much more frequently as on a race weekend it will run through night on Friday then after fillup and oil check it will run into Saturday night.