Cummins Onan p5450e

[Salem747]

Hello All,

I wanted to pass on my experience with this generator. We moved to a rural area last May and thought it prudent to get a generator since we are on well etc. The house already had a transfer switch so that made it an easier decision. I also thought it would be cool for odd jobs since it can run my welder too. http://www.cumminsonan.com/portable/products/standby/compare?gensetId=101&detail=true


Anyway we saw this unit on Costco.ca and waited for a couple of months because there was a $200 coupon for it. So we waited and ordered it when the coupon became valid. I think it worked out to about $800CDN. As you all know you can get cheaper units but I figured we should get a proper one.

So they shipped it freight to my house but we were out of town. I asked them to leave it on the deck and left a tarp for it and everything but of course that message didn't get through. Anyway I picked it up from the local forwarder when I returned, no big deal.

So I put it together, fueled it up etc and it runs like a top. A friend of mine commented that it is IDENTICAL to his Honda that he paid $2000 for 10 years ago! Needless to say I figured Cummins Onan was a good name.

So a year goes by and I get an e-mail from Costco, again while I am out of town saying there is a recall on my generator and there is no remedy, I just need to turn it in and I will get my money back plus $100 extra. Well this *****, because I KNOW I am not going to find another machine of this quality for that kind of money again. I try to call them and I e-mail them that I want it repaired etc.

No response from them and when I return home I check the serial and it turns out that my unit was manufactured before the problem came up. So fine, I am fine with that, move on with life.

Last night I get a phone call on my cell phone, which I missed and had to call back (he left his office and cell phone numbers) from the manager of Cummins Onan generator division, letting me know that I was sent an email regarding a recall that doesn't apply to me, he rattled off my serial number but I can't remember registering. He says since it was direct shipped from them he has records of who has which units!

So the problem was in the factory in a sub operation some sort of chloride solution was left in the fuel tank and not drained before being attached to the carburetor and this solution can break down the surface of the needle in the float mechanism meaning the seal would fail and fuel would overflow and drain out through the carburetor.

I told the guy that if my machine was affected I would have rather had the opportunity for repair. Especially if it is the needle and seat, this is a sub $5 kind of part and probably 30 mins of labour.

I just wanted to share this experience with you guys. I am happy with the machine and, although a little surreal, the customer service isn't bad.

Sean.

 

[sk farmer]

tell them they can have it just as soon as they leave you a comparable unit to replace it. until then it is on standby for you in case of emergency. tell him he has the option of repairing it on sight even if you have to pay mileage. if you take it to them you will never get it back. if they still hassle you, refer him to your attorney.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I recently toured their factory, it was pretty interesting. I mainly deal with larger generators for industrial/commercial use, but have always been satisfied with their quality and service.

 

[Salem747]

tell them they can have it just as soon as they leave you a comparable unit to replace it. until then it is on standby for you in case of emergency. tell him he has the option of repairing it on sight even if you have to pay mileage. if you take it to them you will never get it back. if they still hassle you, refer him to your attorney.

They don't want mine. It is a long post but when I checked the serial it is not a part of the recall. However, if it was I would fight to keep it.

 

[sk farmer]

i read it again and understand now. i thought they still wanted it back.

 

[nate379]

I did not know Cummins made gas engines even.

 

[Salem747]

That is where the Onan part comes in. The old miller welders like the AEAD 200LE use a gas Onan engine and they are indestructible.

I don't know how the Cummins comes into it, maybe they bought Onan, I think Onan makes the generator end too.

 

[Stuart in MN]

They still sell quite a few small gas powered generators for portable use, that's where Onan started out - the founder of the company built a small generator that he and his buddies could take on hunting trips, and then he eventually went into production way back in 1920. Onan was bought by Cummins in 1986.

In their factory they have sort of a mini-museum showing a lineup of their generators, going all the way back to the original ones.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

It was Honda-powered right? I think all the actual Onan-built engines (P218, P220) have been retired as they would no longer pass emissions. Glad they still build the generator units. Onan has quite a rep as a good genset.

 

[barney rubble]

We sell some of them at work. Its not that exact number but looks just like it. We got a load last year during a ice storm power outage and still have a few left so ours are probably last years model numbers or something. We sold quite a few and have had no problems out of them.

 

[StingRay]

I just heard about the recall and have to check my serial number. I googled and this thread came up. I know the model number on the tag is the same but mine is called a Homesite 6500 on the label on the gas tank. These are made in China and are powered by Honda clones. They are not a bad unit but it is obvious that they are not regular Onan. When I got mine, after the first one arrived crushed, the carb drain leaked and the choke didn't work. Cummins fixed it up. A year later the fuel tank leaked and when I wanted warranty they said they would not fix it and I had to return it to Costco. I had checked before I bought it to make sure they would cover the warranty. Where I work we buy a lot of Cummins Onan. I advised them that they had given me their word they would service it if the occasion arose. They replaced the tank. A few months later the fuel gauge lens started to turn to goo. The replacement tank had a plastic lens instead of a glass one and the fuel was eating through it. Even though it was past warranty they replaced the fuel gauge. You can buy a comparable Chinese made unit for 2/3 to half of what this unit cost and I knew it. I also knew that the name was supposed to mean something and that it had a 2 year warranty. They almost dropped the ball. They spec this thing to their suppliers and set the standard. They put their name on it and a lot of us have certain expectations when it says Cummins Onan on it. They shouldn't be in this market with the name if they don't want to sell quality and stand behind it.