TimeTraveler Report post Posted April 5, 2018 Previous Poster about coolant leak in generator engine prompted me t ask this. Hadn't though about it in a while. Does the coolant in these generators need changing? Use old auto coolants, and some now, turn acidic after a few years and start eating at the metal particularly radiator seems and tubes and sensors. Or is the coolant long life or permanent? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted April 5, 2018 Kawaski engine in an Onan generator??? Please post what Onan generator you have. And, as a general statement, yes all coolants need to be changed. But their effective life varies quite a lot depending on coolant chemistry. And, if OE coolant, follow your equipment manufacturer's maintenance schedule. If it has been changed, follow the maintenance schedule of the coolant manufacturer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted April 5, 2018 Onan is owned and manufactured by Cummins Inc.! You can re build one, with another engine , but then it would no longer be a Onan. Gas, Diesel or NG/Propane, they are all built and manufactured by Cummins...Period. I tried too find out any thing on Kawaski (nice name) and got Zero on Google, Bing or Alibaba! Did not bother with Yahoo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimeTraveler Report post Posted April 5, 2018 Last time I had the oil changed at a rally in Indiana they changed the generator oil and filter too. The tech said it was kawasaki or however it is spelled. Perhaps he is wrong. It's 7500 not so quiet diesel. I hadn't really thought about it, just remembered what he said,, yesterday pm, when I thought maybe I should have the generator coolant changed. Sounds real good after consideration. Near as I remember it has not been changed since 06. However there are coolants on the market like Caterpillar and Freightliner equivalent which that are very long reccomnded interval. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted April 5, 2018 TT, I test ours annually along with the engine. When I replaced it I also replaced the thermostat and radiator cap, very simple to work on especially if yours is on a slide. Whomever is working on it make sure they check the belt on the engine, its on the back side. I wasn't sure what coolant to use in it, ours is also a 7500 watt made by Onan. I called Cummins with the serial number and they recommended what coolant to use, that's what I bought, crazy but good, its the same for the coach engine, keeps it simple. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted April 5, 2018 I would recommend a low silica coolant as I had to replace the radiator on my Onan because it was plugged with silica crystals that had settled out. I have a kubota engine in my 7500 QD. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obedb Report post Posted April 6, 2018 Kubota builds very durable engines. Have a three cylinder 4wd Kubota Tractor with a 23 HP Diesel engine that is almost 40 years old. Still runs like a charm. Doubt that your Onan is powered by a Kawasaki. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbell Report post Posted April 7, 2018 If your Onan is powered by a Kawasaki, you probably have the only one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted April 7, 2018 Onan, uses Honda, Kubota and Briggs & Stratton! There are after market, non OEM Kawasaki engines used, but not on a 7.5 Kw! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrock Report post Posted April 7, 2018 Looked in the specs. For my 7500QD it lists it as a three cyl. Kubota. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted April 7, 2018 Quote Onan Generator. That explains why I could not pin the engine make down, on the Internet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
