New to big boating and bought my first in the last month. Boat is 83 model with Onan 6.5 GenSet. On first glance, I noticed the starter is missing and cowling is just loosely sitting in the engine room. I called the local Cummins/Onan dealer today and they informed me that the starters for these units have been discontinued. This is a gasoline-fired unit. Does anyone know where I can find a starter?
Find a gen-set. My friend, you have a bag-o-worms in your possession. And as my new best friend, please do not get upset; Get a new gen-set, sleep well, safe and dream of good things. Vertical the next morning is important. Spending any money on an old gas gen-set is just that, spending money on an OLD gas gen-set.
Let GOOGLE be your friend. https://www.google.com/#q=onan+6.5+genset+parts https://www.google.com/search?q=ona...FKtbKsQTZmoKYDw&ved=0CFoQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=693 New Starter Onan Emerald RV Power Generator 3 5 6 5KW | eBay or Make Ralph happy: Generators in Brand:Onan | eBay
Ralph is happy when everybody is vertical (alive) the next morning. Sadly, We have had to turn work down on older gas gen-sets. Maybe overly cautious, but older (many poorly maintained) sets just have to many issues. CO, Gas, sparking brushes, old gas lines, flooding carbs, Yada yada. Our customers agreed with my concerns but nobody (old gas customers) have yet to order a new set. One customer has commented I was the second shop to give him the same speech. Helped us feel a little better. I did admire Kohler on their dump/riser recall a few years ago. Obsolete gas genny and they replaced the cast iron exhaust tail piece with a real nice stainless one. Meanwhile, not many parts were available on the rest of the set. Somebody at Kohler slept better at least. Another YF thread commented that Ford may still have the engine parts. Please don't take my first comments as a blast. For the DIYr, please be carefull.
I too have seen many people spend half of the price of a new generator fixing some old POS that was well worn out 10 years ago. Only to get it running and 2 months later have the engine throw a rod. If you fix old junk, you still have old junk.....Sometimes you have to know when to replace.