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Outlines general safety rules for engine operation and maintenance.
Discusses fire and explosion hazards related to fuel.
Highlights dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust.
Warns about hazards from engine's moving components.
Alerts to explosion risks associated with battery gases.
How to identify the engine model and serial number for service.
Checks to perform before starting the engine for the first time or after 8 hours of operation.
Step-by-step instructions for starting the engine.
Guidance on how to properly break in a new or rebuilt engine.
Recommendations for operating the engine in dusty environments.
Specific considerations for operating the engine in high temperatures.
Specific considerations for operating the engine in low temperatures.
Steps to protect the engine during storage for more than 30 days.
Procedures for preparing a stored engine for operation.
Checks to perform before the first start of the day and after every 8 hours of operation.
States that carburetors are precision-manufactured and not adjustable.
Instructions for reconnecting and reclamping the choke cable for manual choke engines.
Procedures for adjusting engine low-idle and high-idle speeds.
Outlines general safety rules for engine operation and maintenance.
Discusses fire and explosion hazards related to fuel.
Highlights dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust.
Warns about hazards from engine's moving components.
Alerts to explosion risks associated with battery gases.
How to identify the engine model and serial number for service.
Checks to perform before starting the engine for the first time or after 8 hours of operation.
Step-by-step instructions for starting the engine.
Guidance on how to properly break in a new or rebuilt engine.
Recommendations for operating the engine in dusty environments.
Specific considerations for operating the engine in high temperatures.
Specific considerations for operating the engine in low temperatures.
Steps to protect the engine during storage for more than 30 days.
Procedures for preparing a stored engine for operation.
Checks to perform before the first start of the day and after every 8 hours of operation.
States that carburetors are precision-manufactured and not adjustable.
Instructions for reconnecting and reclamping the choke cable for manual choke engines.
Procedures for adjusting engine low-idle and high-idle speeds.
This document serves as an Operator's Manual for the Onan Engine Performer Series, specifically covering models P216, P218, P220, and P224. It provides comprehensive guidance for the safe and effective operation, as well as the necessary maintenance, of these horizontal-shaft engines. The manual emphasizes that thorough reading and adherence to its instructions are crucial for achieving safe operation and optimal performance.
The manual begins with a section on Safety Precautions, highlighting various hazards associated with engine operation, including electricity, fuel, exhaust, moving parts, and batteries. It uses specific symbols (DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION) to alert operators to potential risks of personal injury, death, or equipment damage. Key safety guidelines include keeping ABC fire extinguishers handy, ensuring all fasteners are secure, maintaining a clean engine and compartment, disconnecting the negative battery cable before working on the engine, and exercising caution when making adjustments while the engine is running. It also warns about the carcinogenic and reproductive toxicity of used engine oil, benzene, and lead in gasoline, advising against ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. The manual explicitly states that the engine is not designed or intended for use in aircraft, as such use could lead to engine failure and severe personal injury or death.
Fuel safety is a major focus, as fuel is flammable and explosive. Operators are instructed to keep flames, cigarettes, sparks, pilot lights, and electrical arc-producing equipment away from fuel fumes and areas with ventilation. Fuel tanks should not be filled while the engine is running. Fuel lines must be copper or steel tubing, adequately secured, and free of leaks, with approved flexible fuel hose used for connections at the engine. A manual fuel shutoff valve is required unless the supply tank's highest fuel level is below the engine connection.
The manual also addresses the danger of engine exhaust, which contains deadly carbon monoxide. It advises learning the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, inspecting the exhaust system regularly, and ensuring ample fresh air ventilation when operating the engine in confined areas. Moving parts are identified as a cause of severe personal injury or death, with warnings against wearing loose clothing or jewelry near moving parts and instructions to keep guards in place. Battery gas is noted as explosive, requiring safety glasses and prohibiting smoking during battery service. When connecting or disconnecting battery cables, the negative cable should always be disconnected first and reconnected last to reduce arcing.
The Introduction section provides an overview of the manual's content and emphasizes the importance of proper use and periodic maintenance. It guides users on Model Identification, instructing them to provide the model and serial numbers when contacting Onan for information, parts, or service. A typical engine nameplate and its location are illustrated. The manual recommends using genuine Onan replacement parts. It includes warnings against improper service or parts replacement, unauthorized modifications to emission-related components, and the flammability and explosiveness of LPG.
Fuel Recommendations are detailed for gasoline, LPG, and natural gas models. For gasoline engines, clean, fresh unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87 is recommended. The use of "oxygenated" gasolines is acceptable but not preferable. Leaded gasoline can be used but requires extra maintenance. Methanol-containing gasolines or additives are prohibited due to their corrosive effects. For LPG models, clean, fresh HD-5 grade liquified petroleum gas (LPG) or equivalent with at least 90 percent propane is recommended, with a note on the potential for poor starting in low temperatures if butane content is high. For natural gas models, commercially available natural gas fuel is specified.
Engine Oil Recommendations advise using premium quality motor oil with API classification SG or SH (or SG/CD, SG/CE, SH/CD, SH/CE) and an SAE viscosity grade appropriate for expected ambient temperatures. Single-grade SAE 30 is preferred for consistently above-freezing temperatures, while multigrade oils are better for wide temperature variations.
The Starting Batteries section explains that the engine uses a 12-volt electric starter and requires sufficient battery capacity and cable size for prompt starting. Regular monthly battery maintenance is recommended, and the automatic battery recharging system should maintain charge during regular operation.
The Exhaust System section reiterates the danger of exhaust gas and mandates that mobile engine-powered equipment never be operated indoors without ample fresh air. Stationary equipment must have a leak-free exhaust system that vents gases outside. Operators are responsible for daily checks for exhaust leaks.
The Operation section covers pre-start checks, starting procedures, engine break-in, and operation in dusty, hot, and cold conditions, as well as out-of-service protection and returning the engine to service.
Pre-Start Checks require performing daily (8-hour) maintenance before the first start of the day and after every eight hours of operation. This includes inspecting fuel lines and fittings for leaks, checking the exhaust system for leaks, cleaning the flywheel air inlet screen and cylinder cooling fins, and checking the engine oil level. Warnings are given about hot exhaust parts and the dangers of clogged cooling fins and crankcase pressure.
Starting instructions include checking oil, filling the fuel tank, opening fuel shutoff valves, releasing the clutch, using the choke for gasoline engines (if equipped), setting the throttle to mid-speed, and turning the ignition-start switch. Operators are advised not to crank for more than 30 seconds at a time and to allow the engine to warm up before operating equipment.
Engine Break-In procedures are critical for optimal engine performance. For the first 3 hours, the equipment should be operated at about half its available power, with occasional brief periods at full power, avoiding prolonged low-speed, low-power operation. Proper engine oil is essential during break-in due to higher engine temperatures. Oil level should be checked twice daily or every 4 hours for the first 24 hours, and the oil and filter changed after the first 24 hours. Valve clearance adjustment may be required after 50 hours for some models.
Operation in Dusty Conditions requires more frequent air cleaner maintenance and oil/filter changes. Operation in Hot Weather (above 100° F / 38° C) necessitates keeping cooling fins and air inlet screens clean, checking oil levels more frequently, and ensuring appropriate oil viscosity. Operation in Cold Weather (below freezing) requires appropriate oil viscosity, using fresh gasoline, keeping the battery charged, and setting the throttle to mid-speed during storage to prevent linkage freezing.
Out-of-Service Protection provides steps for storing the engine for more than 30 days, including running the engine to normal operating temperature, shutting off fuel, adding fuel preservative (for gasoline engines), draining and refilling oil, adding rust inhibitor to cylinders, performing air cleaner maintenance, cleaning and wrapping governor linkage, plugging the exhaust outlet, covering the unit, and disconnecting the battery.
Returning The Engine To Service involves removing protective coverings, checking oil viscosity, inspecting fuel lines and filter, checking linkage movement, cleaning and connecting the battery, and starting the engine.
The Periodic Maintenance section provides a detailed schedule in Table 2, outlining maintenance operations and their frequencies (daily/8 hours, 50 hours, monthly, 100 hours, 200 hours, 500 hours, 1000 hours). These tasks include inspecting the engine, checking oil level, cleaning air cleaner foam wrapper and cylinder cooling fins, checking the starting battery, changing engine oil and filter (for different base capacities), replacing fuel filter and air cleaner element, replacing spark plugs, adjusting engine valve clearance (for specific models), and cleaning cylinder heads of deposits. Footnotes clarify when certain tasks should be performed more frequently (e.g., in dusty or hot conditions) and when a qualified mechanic is required.
Daily (8 Hour) Maintenance details the pre-start checks, including inspecting fuel lines, checking for exhaust system leaks, cleaning the engine and cooling fins, and checking the engine oil level using the dipstick. It warns against overfilling or underfilling oil.
Engine Oil And Filter Change instructions include warming the engine, stopping it, disconnecting the spark plug and negative battery cable, removing the oil fill cap, draining old oil, removing and discarding the old filter, wiping the mounting surface, applying oil to the new filter's gasket, spinning on the new filter, refilling with fresh oil of appropriate viscosity, reconnecting the spark plug and battery, starting the engine to check for leaks, and properly disposing of used oil. Warnings are repeated about hot oil and the dangers of accidental starting.
The Adjustments section covers carburetor adjustments, reconnecting the choke cable, and engine speed adjustments.
Carburetor Adjustments states that these engines have precision-manufactured carburetors that are not adjustable.
Reconnecting The Choke Cable provides steps for gasoline engines with manual chokes, including stopping the engine, disconnecting spark plugs and battery, pushing the choke knob to full-open, connecting and clamping the choke cable, checking for smooth movement and full travel, and reassembling the air cleaner and reconnecting the spark plug and battery.
Engine Speed Adjustments notes that these adjustments are typically not needed but provides instructions for equipment manufacturers or qualified mechanics. It specifies adjusting low-idle speed to 1100 RPM and high-idle speed to 3400 RPM if no other specifications are available. Warnings are given about adjusting speed above manufacturer specifications and the hazards of moving parts during measurement. The process involves starting the engine, loosening the throttle cable clamp, adjusting the carburetor speed stop screw for low-idle, bending the high-idle speed stop tang for high-idle, and then hooking and clamping the throttle cable.
The Troubleshooting section offers basic guidance for common engine problems, such as failing to crank, cranking slowly, cranking but failing to start, running and then stopping, exhausting black smoke, and misfiring. For each problem, corrective actions are suggested, including checking fuel, battery connections, oil level, choke cable, air cleaner, fuel filter, and spark plugs. It advises contacting an Onan dealer if problems persist and emphasizes that only qualified service personnel should perform complex troubleshooting procedures due to safety hazards.
Finally, Information for California Engine Users addresses specific regulations for utility and lawn and garden equipment engines in California. It states that these engines meet 1995 and later emission standards. It warns against unauthorized modifications or replacements of emission-related components and provides a table (Table 4. Emissions Control Information) to aid in locating information related to California Air Resources Board requirements, covering engine warranty, valve lash, ignition timing, fuel requirements, fuel mixture settings, lubricating oil requirements, and emission control system. It clarifies that the engine emission control system consists of internal engine modifications (EM).
General| Cylinders | 2 |
|---|---|
| Compression Ratio | 8.0:1 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Ignition System | Solid state |
| Maximum RPM | 3600 RPM |
| Battery | 12V |
| Alternator | 15 amp |
| Engine Type | 4-cycle gasoline engine |
| Power | 18 hp (13.4 kW) |
| Oil Capacity | 1.9 L |
| Fuel System | Carburetor |
| Starter | Electric |
| Lubrication System | Full pressure lubrication with spin-on filter |
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