Onan 4.0cck- -info please

Good morning:

I picked up a onan model 4.0CCK-30R/12015R at a auction last saturday. It looks like it came from a motor home. It appears to be all there,and is not stuck. It needs to be cleaned up a bit. and mounted to a better base. It has the cast iron cylinders with aluminum heads. SER# 1073708895, can any one tell me what the age of this unit is? It will make a nice (small stand by ) unit for the house while the Family motorhome is in storage or away from home. Thanks for your interest - - -Gary

The date for your unit can be gotten from the serial # of your engine. I have a onan engine with a serial number of I790444491. The frist letter (I) is the month which is September the next two numbers are the year (79) and the next letter (O) is the location the engine was made which is Huntsvile Alabama. The problem is you serial does not start with a letter but is all numbers 1073708895. I will guess that the frist numbers (10) is the month and that the second numbers (73) are the year. However Onan has change hands a number of times the current owner is cummins alatainc and that may be why your engine serial # is different. Maybe one of the others on this board will know the answer but I think you should contact Onan to find out for sure the date of mfg.

Thanks Joseph, I now know a little more then before,If the age is correct, it may be pretty well whipped out. I'll find that out after i get it running. Thanks for your input Gary

I have one made in '53, runs fine.


http://members.aol.com/generatorgus/onandating.jpg

Joseph - -This unit has the Onan Solid State ignition panel on it.There are two rocker switches, one to start & stop,and the other is marked (non functional on this model) This switch is spring loaded to be momentary on when pushed.

I tried to start it yesterday, the start /stop switch seems to be non functional.(Defective?) However the one marked (non functional) activates the electric fuel pump while it is held! The unit will not crank while using any of these rockers.

I can "Hot wire" the start solonoid and get it to crank,but there is very little spark at the plugs. Maybe not a good idea to crank this way?

What is the "Normal" Sequence of events when the start rocker is used? Does the fuel pump work during the crank cycle? and what keeps it pumping when the start switch is released? Can you shed some light on this animal?? I appreciate your comments - -Regards: Gary

I just came in from the shop - - I got the Onan finally running! It took a while but it runs great! The problem is the START/STOP switch. The switch is not acting as it should - It sticks in the shut down mode, and does not function at all in the Start mode. Mechanically it dosn't even feel right. Not a firm snap action as expected. The fuel pump primes and pumps while I hot wire crank it over, and continues to function normally after it starts. Any ideas on how hard it will be to find and replace the bad switch ? It is soldered on the PC board. Best regards: Gary

Gary it you could solder in a new switch if you are able to find one. I would bet that Onan does not sell just the switch and that board will cost $$$$$$. You could rig up your own switch and do away with the other. However I just noticed that in one of my manuals they do list a rocker and spring(replaceable part of switch). I would contact Onan to see what they have for you unit. Be sure to give them the model and serial numbers and you may want to get a operators manual/parts catalog as well. It will be worth the 15 or 20 dollars it will cost you. Joseph

Hello Joseph, I agree that Onan will want to sell the complete board,rather then sell a repair part! Especially if it is part of a Printed Circuit assy. At this time, I'am going to take the safe way out and mount a remote START/STOP switch,similar to the method used in Motorhomes. I"am in the market for the Owner/Operator books to match this unit.

Again, thanks for all your input, it helps to know if my thinking is out of line or not. Best Regards - - - - Gary