How Easy is an Onan Quiet Diesel RV Generator Service? 

*100% best **Generater.Systems** I have used. A test for hurricane prep here in Louisiana: three AC units, 5000, 5000 & 8000, 3 fridges, 2 device power setups, 4 flat screens....AND I had 40% of the power meter to spare.*

Great you got rid of the inferior Fram. I'm excited now, may change later. I live here in AZ also. I'm very excited for now. I bought a beautiful 2001 Holiday Rambler Scepter. It does have the Roadmaster chassis, but the rig was not a bank account killer. So, this vid helps a lot. Thanks

I always sleep better knowing that the oil is fresh 🙂

How is it that I watch so many of your videos and I don't even own an RV? I'm hooked.

And, another video for my playlist!!! Now, I just gotta find my bus!!! (Thanks for the footage at the end... keeps it real!! 😂)

Thanks for explaining a common service item that many may find daunting.

Man you make it look so easy and only using one hand. If I recorded me doing that well RU-vid would band me for life with all the bad words coming out of my mouth. I really enjoy all of your videos and learn so much from them. Thank You so much for what you do for us! ! ! !

These videos are always so timely for us! Thanks!

Love your videos. Hope you never stop making them. Thanks for adding the bloopers too!

Always smiling and you make us smile! We love viewing your videos! 😁👍

Those bloopers are the best!:) Thanks for the info. Running an 8K for a media trailer in ATL, GA.

Thank you for posting these videos. This channel most entertaining and informative. I actually watch full videos of you repairing things that I don’t currently nor will most likely ever own. Which really says lots about your show.

thanks so much my friend! without watching this I was considering taking my 2002 Mountain Aire someplace to get it done....after watching this, it turned out to be the easiest oil change in anything I've ever changed oil in! thanks for sharing all your advice in all the things you've shared over the years!

I think you always share some very helpful tips, thanks.

As Always, another Great Video. We really enjoy all your video's. Thank You

THANK YOU!!! you thought me something about the oil check on the Allison transmission! Thanks for sharing!!!

Appreciate the clear easy to follow video. Your videos give me the confidence to work on my own RV Thanks!

Good video as usual. Thanks for the DIY projects, it helps us newbie's a lot.

Your bloopers are funny. But your knowledge is invaluable. Thanks again.

James thanks very much for the link to the EZ Oil drain valve!

I've REALLY learnt something To use my generator! Well done! ☺

Thanks for showing me how easy this is!

Did them all the time at Camping World.... so easy to service...great unit...

Your outtakes are fantastic! Thanks for the bonus transmission oil level check on the Allison.

Pretty straight forward service, thanks for showing

Your RV is looking great James. That quick valve is nice. Thanks for this service video. Happy trails!

Your conduct of maintenance is transferable to every maintenance task, even your blender! :D

I love your channel. You are a skilled and hilarious technician, James. Best of luck with this beautiful coach.

Great out-takes at end, and totally getting that quick release valve!! Thanks for the links!! 🤓👍

Great information! Thank you for sharing. I always learn something from watching your videos! Much appreciated :)

Love the quick drains!

Really like the data plate with the part numbers and oil weights great idea.

As always, informative and entertaining James! The end reel bloopers, man, just a labor of love, huh? 😊

Thanks for the info like the drain plug little nervous with all the petty people trans check is great I'm going to try it today thanks again

So love your coach and videos!

An Onan rep years ago said generators die from lack of use, not overuse. My 5500W Onan gas generator is definitely easier to service, though yours wasn’t bad. I think the outtakes are the best part! Great content, thank you.

I'm so glad my generator comes out front on a hydraulic tray. Makes is easy. Thanks for the link on the valve.

Hi James, awesome video, Great information to have I have a 7500 Onan generator and an Allison transmission so thanks again for that useful information!

Thanks for showing how easy it can be.

I'm having flashbacks to when I did this service on my Itasca Meridian with the exact same generator. I knew the previous owner hadn't even checked the oil because when I picked it up from him he said "I know there's an air port on here somewhere, but I've never found it." Guess what - it was staring me right in the face when I opened the generator compartment. Basic maintenance, people. It's a thing.

Great video, very informative, you always make things look easy! This one make me want to do my own gen maintenance. Also I always wondered about how to check the transmission oil level. Big thank you for the instructions!! Can't wait for your next video.

With the horizontal oil filter mount, I always fill filter 1/2 full , less than a second for oil light to go out. Back in the day of filter housing and cartridge, bearings would pound unmercifully 3-4 seconds. Our 03 Monaco has the onan 5.5 diesel and you have to disassemble the bottom of the generator cabinet to get to anything. Your Beaver is an awesome coach 👍🏻 thanks for the video.

I've watched just about every video you,'ve made. Your side comments are priceless. I write mileage and dates on blue painter's tape instead of on the unit itself. On the next service I put a piece of tape over it and write the service numbers. If you need to, you can always peel off a layer to look at service history. Ty for the great vids!

Well done James 👍⚾️

Nice job James.

I think I will change my generator oil this week, thank you for the video showing us how to do it..

Great tip on the transmission fluid check! Thanks!

Thanks for the confidence builder! On my 1st service, I tethered the MH's access door to the bottom of the open slide. Generator service went well, not too bad for my first time. Buttoned up the generator itself and went onto other things. Eventually, time to bring in the slide - you know what's coming - CRUNCH! of the MH access door. A real "Better call James" event.

Really enjoy your videos

Thank you James for this video! Going to do all around service this fall with oil change, fuel filter and coolant flush on motorhome generator. It does not look too hard and Onan makes it easy with the specs of needed items right on the generator. Like your videos and as always, can’t wait for the outtakes at the end. Would like to see a link for the drain valve attachment also.

I really enjoy your videos. Keep them coming. I keep a flexible filler tube from a DEF canister for oils and such. When finished, I poke the ends together and the filler tube keeps clean for the next use.

Thanks for the video I won't be as scared now to service my Generator

Thank you for your video I have a 40 foot diesel pusher it’s Fleetwood revolution and I’m going to start doing my Oil change in my Generator

Looking forward to some videos on trips you do with the rig!

Good, clear video. Thanks!

Thank you Sir! Informative as usual!

Missing the oil filter number, the one above is the fuel filter. I am about to do my annual on the 7500 with 1,650 hours, these are great generators. Thanks for yet another great DIY video.

Great video. Thanks. I like to use some clear packing tape on the gen then write the hours on the tape

I emailed the maker of the drain plug about valves for my MH. Mentioned to them I saw it on your video

Great job James. My grandson was concerned about what you were putting off on your lovely rig

Thanks James, just ordered those quick drain valves for my main engine and generator engine! My generator service is due so I will be able to put that drain on when I do my service. I always put the hours on the filters so I know when they were changed. I also just ordered some of those cling windshield service reminder stickers to put on the generator and engine for the oil change intervals.

Thank you for the lesson!

Thanks for the links And the outtakes 😊

I sold my 1998 Newmar Mountain Aire a few years ago. Not only was it my first diesel pusher, it was my first RV LOL. I don't have a RV at the moment and watching your videos makes me miss my Newmar. I enjoyed doing my own maintenance on it. I used the rear jacks to raise the rear end and was able to get a 5 gallon pail under it so I didn't have to transfer the oil. I just brought the pails to the recyclers.

Great job. You could power up about three or four homes with a 7.5 kw generator. Your approach is easy to follow and concise. If I lived in AZ you would get my business yesterday!!! Good luck and stay safe.

Cool that you can check fluid levels from the dash!!😮

I love my 7500 Onan Quiet Diesel generator - same model as yours. Maintaining them properly is a must because those rascals are EXPENSIVE! 😅 I run Delo 15w-40 as well.

You rock! Gonna go fire up my gen set now :). And order some QD oil drain plugs Thank you

interesting... always looks so simple in the hands of a qualified expert, however, if I posted my video it would be more like a massive oil spill.. lol, thanks for the great content

Thank you James, keep cool brother

Thank you James, I once paid ~ $300 for an Oil & filter, Air & Fuel filter change for my 7.5 kW & I provided the filters...

I like your bloopers sounds like me when I tried making a video too funny ..thanks for sharing like aways !

Oh no a fram filter. Good job getting rid of that. I know why you didn’t change that fuel filter, unless you like an armpit full of diesel fuel. Great job James. I like that drain valve.

Thanks very informative!!!

We have a Cummins generator in both our Monaco and our Peterbilt. The Peterbilt generator runs near constant during the summer months. Delco or K&N oil filters and a 13lb radiator cap are generally easier to get at your local auto parts store. Double barb fuel filters are behind the counter at most TA/ Petro truck stops. We normally keep 2 of each on the truck. Especially with gelling fuel in the northern states. Same goes with the fuel filters on the X15. Never know when you'll need them with weather and lately, mechanics have been in short supply.

Enjoy your channel!

Great job! Sometimes aluminum foil is good for covering parts/wiring and redirecting draining oil.

Love the bloopers!😂

Another Awesome Video…

I completely agree with you. The easiest service on an rv and run the generator. I run mine at the minimum once a month for an hour.

Thank you. Great video!

Like the way your Beaver is all etched underneath to point out various access hatches & drains. Oil filter on my 10KW Onan diesel unit on a nose slide-out is hard to get an oil filter wrench on so I buy K&N filters with the nut welded to the end of the can for easy wrench removal. Drain plug was welded on so just drew out old oil using a vacuum pump through the dipstick tube. Your fuel filter is ez to get to too! Again, on the 10kw it's on a hard to reach side bracket so I modified the attachment bolts to go from inside out and can get a nut on easier than the difficult task of threading the bolt in from in-between the inconveniently placed slide brackets. Went through everything on my 2015 that I purchased in 2021 with only 89 hours on the generator because you are right about using them and exercising them. Heck, take photos with them and post on your tool box. Ours has the 3 cylinder Kubota in it and it's awesome. Sips fuel and is quiet. Edit:Yes, our Allison 3000 MH has the fluid level check mode window in shift panel but does not have that cool comprehensive dash readout like yours.

Thank you for sharing!

The Fumoto drain valves are great. I have one for my car.

Nice job I just changed the water pump belt I had to pay to remove the Gen from the coach that was expensive but I use this gen all the time when driving and it is a2005 so I changed it and if you are paying to remove get valves adjusted and a rad flush I change my oil myself

Like the RV.

I love the education on your videos. I am a new RVer who just bought an old RV. There are a lot of things that I am going about one step at a time to fix or operate as I figure things out. At the time of the purchase, seller said the gas is below 1/4 tank to start the Gen. and I took his word for it works. I have no idea how to start this thing. I wish you do a tutorial on Generac gas.

Thank you! As a new owner to a trailer with a generator I was trying to figure out how long to run it while we aren't using it.

Glad to see you got rid of that orange can of death in that generator. An hour of running per month? sounds like a 26 year old genset would only have 312 hours on it- very low. On our genset we've average about 16 hours per month over the last 14 years. Thanks for sharing. You've got a beautiful coach.

I would be interested in the oil drain valves, great video

I've preached to people about using the generator. I will deduct for one that's not used or lightly used. It's a boat anchor at that point. Thanks for your videos.

Agree 100% about using the genny. I looked at 10yr old coaches with less than 90 hrs on the genset. This told me that they did not exercise it the Required minimum of 2 hrs a month, otherwise it would be at least 240 hrs.

Cool video. You may want to show folks how to clean out the soot out of the spark arrestor, when you do your fuel filter onan video. :-)

James I want to say thank you for all the videos you post. I have never used facebook to ask questions. Please excuse my ignorance. I found a Beaver Patriot 40 ft. here in South Carolina. It is a 1997. I am planning to look at it next week. After watching most of your videos I feel more confident in what to look for. The coach has around 50000 miles on it. I am a little concerned about the low mileage. They are asking $35000.00 obo. If there is anything I should look for please let me know. Thanks, Walter

Hey James, just an FYI, my 2017 Onan 5500 genset came from the factory with the quick drain oil plug. I don't know about earlier or diesel models, but it's possible that having that handy feature was not because the previous owner changed out the drain plug.

FYI awesome video

Thank you!

Good stuff. Love the valve on the genny but hate them on a normal engine.

Hello, we have a 12.5kw Onan and have gone through 2 fuel pumps on our 2003 monaco Signature Supreme . So this time we relocated the pump closer to the fuel tank and now it is Not acting like it is starved for fuel. Finished just in time for and outage and it ran for hours without an hiccup.

Another great tutorial. You make it look so easy.