Lets brainstorm this Onan problem.

[lynnmor 7,448]

2 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

Keep in mind though...  you're not seeing reports from all the people that do NOT have problems!

 

 

Here's my report; four 520H tractors, worked hard with no issues.  One used and very much abused engine had one loose seat.

[WHX?? 49,656]

I dunno Jeff he may be on to somethin.....how many guys out ther got an Onan with 2k + on the clock? 

Somebody edumacate me tho was this a problem on the 16 & 18s? 

[pfrederi 18,091]

1 minute ago, lynnmor said:

Here's my report; four 520H tractors, worked hard with no issues.  One used and very much abused engine had one loose seat.

Some how a 25% failure rate doesn't install a lot of confidence.  Yes some Kohlers throw balance gears ..but  I have at least 12-15 singles  none have done that..

[RED-Z06 2,366]

8 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

Keep in mind though...  you're not seeing reports from all the people that do NOT have problems!

 

 

Also not seeing the ones who had problems and never mentioned it online...

[RED-Z06 2,366]

1 minute ago, WHX?? said:

I dunno Jeff he may be on to somethin.....how many guys out ther got an Onan with 2k + on the clock? 

Somebody edumacate me tho was this a problem on the 16 & 18s? 

Yes but doesn't seem nearly as common, failure rate on 16s and 18a seems a bit more in line with something you might consider to be an ongoing issue thats avoidable by doing "xxxx" such as cleaning cooling fins...but with 20s it seems like hours, application, had little affect 

[lynnmor 7,448]

1 minute ago, pfrederi said:

Some how a 25% failure rate doesn't install a lot of confidence.  Yes some Kohlers throw balance gears ..but  I have at least 12-15 singles  none have done that..

 

Maybe you missed the part about it being used and abused.  It had mud dauber nests in the cooling fins, thick black oil and the original oil filter.  I bought the junk engine to fix it up for a spare.  The original engines are 100% fine and there is NO FAILURE RATE.  The junk engine has been brought back to life.

[pfrederi 18,091]

5 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

 

Maybe you missed the part about it being used and abused.  It had mud dauber nests in the cooling fins, thick black oil and the original oil filter.  I bought the junk engine to fix it up for a spare.  The original engines are 100% fine and there is NO FAILURE RATE.  The junk engine has been brought back to life.

 Okay but some of my Kohlers  (and even a couple Techys) were not well taken care of either. 

Edit:  I think Onans are less receptive to abuse than other types.  probably because they were high quality with tight specs.

Edited March 11, 2022 by pfrederi

[WHX?? 49,656]

My 5th parts 520 was not maintained either but not valve seat issues but egg shaped bores. Sadly the oil was never changed. 

Might have missed it Red and know you work on all brands but was this motor in a WH? 

[RED-Z06 2,366]

5 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

 Okay but some of my Kohlers  (and even a couple Techys) were not well taken care of either. 

Edit:  I think Onans are less receptive to abuse than other types.  probably because they were high quality with tight specs.

I feel like all engines have problems, but Onans were at least consistent.

 

P-series...governor spacer failure, leaky dipstick seal, starter mounts busting off the block.  P220 higher likelihood of intake seat failure.

 

My p216g has been the only onan ive owned that has never given me a single issue, my (2) p218 and this p220 have been horrible 

[RED-Z06 2,366]

3 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

My 5th parts 520 was not maintained either but not valve seat issues but egg shaped bores. Sadly the oil was never changed. 

Might have missed it Red and know you work on all brands but was this motor in a WH? 

Nah, Deere 420, 875hrs, had the seals intact that diverts cool air to the flywheel...i know there is speculation on 520s that the belt guard causes the rear cylinder to be hotter but given this tractor had no such thing..probably has no effect honestly.

[RED-Z06 2,366]

2 minutes ago, RED-Z06 said:

I feel like all engines have problems, but Onans were at least consistent.

 

P-series...governor spacer failure, leaky dipstick seal, starter mounts busting off the block.  P220 higher likelihood of intake seat failure.

 

My p216g has been the only onan ive owned that has never given me a single issue, my (2) p218 and this p220 have been horrible 

The dipstick seal is actually below the oil level on these...so they get a little dry, they puke oil...not a hard fix if you have the oil drained already.

[WHX?? 49,656]

Thanks nice to know this problem was not specific to horses. What's your take on ventilating the belt guard on a horse?  Concensus here is is won't not hurt but may help. 

[lynnmor 7,448]

5 minutes ago, RED-Z06 said:

Nah, Deere 420

 

Did the John Deere 420 have the cast iron block?

[RED-Z06 2,366]

1 minute ago, WHX?? said:

Thanks nice to know this problem was not specific to horses. What's your take on ventilating the belt guard on a horse?  Concensus here is is won't not hurt but may help. 

Id do anything i possibly could...im now considering cutting the "flat" out of the guard on my 416-H, the outer lip is all thats really needed anyways.  Also looking at the finger guard...it clogs up fast mowing.

[WHX?? 49,656]

10 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

 

Did the John Deere 420 have the cast iron block?

didn't know there was a cast block? 

[RED-Z06 2,366]

3 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

 

Did the John Deere 420 have the cast iron block?

I think these were all Aluminum engines.  They were about 135lbs with flywheel and starter.  An Iron block engine would be north of 200, like a K532...what a tank of an engine though.

[Greentored 3,217]

Havent been on here much these days but just saw this. I can fix these seats correctly if anyones interested.

The blocks are too tall to fit in the seat and guide machine, so I made a mandrel and adaptor to run the seat cutter by hand, and found an automotive seat that is a perfect fit and about .100 larger OD IIRC. Gonna take some digging to find that part number again, but this worked perfect on my first 520.  

.008-.010 press by the way, just as the automotive ones were done if they are going to stay in place.

Edited March 31, 2022 by Greentored

[WHX?? 49,656]

3 minutes ago, Greentored said:

Havent been on here much these days

Our plan is working then?