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Onan 18hp gas engine in Case skidsteer dies

S

Super Steve

Member
So the past few times I've used my skidsteer, it just up and quits without any warning then wont start for a while. Sometimes if will start and run the crap but run enough to get it out of where it is. I think its losing spark because I can spray ether in the intake and it wont fire.

The catch is, I pulled a plug out when it died this morning and I had spark, not sure if it was a great one but I could see it.

The thing runs fine when it runs but this is getting old. The purpose of this thing is to get in tight spots that a tractor wont fit into in our barn so when it dies, its usually in a very inconvenient spot.

Any ideas where to start problem solving?
 
Those Onan engines are known for coil issues. Does yours have the double wire coil?? If it is they are not cheap. I would bet that the coil is bad.
 
That is easy. I did not describe the coil very well. The one that are high have both spark plug holes/wires at the coil. Meaning two out lets/plug wire holes.

The one in the picture costs $93.
a129516.jpg
 
ok thanx, ill have a look when I head back out.

Is there anyway to test the coil? or just get a new one and be done with it?
 
You can check coils with a special coil tester or the resistance with a volt/ohm meter. The trouble is a coil that breaks down when hot will usually check good cold. So i usually just verify I am having a park issue and then replace the spark plugs first. Then if it still has an issue I go for the coil.

Your motor could also still have a points system on it. A condenser can cause this same type of issue.
 
Before you put out the Big $$$ for a new coil run a jumper from the + side of the battery to the +
side of the coil.My Massey Ferguson 1855 with the
same Onan was doing something similar and found out it was the switch shorting out.Also points could be cruded up and not breaking correctly when it gets hot.
 
Onan tech since 1980. Before you spend lots of money. Post the model and serial number. I can give you some things to check out. Depending on what you have. In 33 years with Onan I have only seen two bad coils.Not saying they don't fail. But that seems to be the first thing everyone replaces.
 
Keep a test light with you. Next time it dies check for power at the coil. That will help determine whether you have a coil problem or machine wiring issue.
 
I had a Bobcat with the Onan. First thing I'd check is the points, then the condensor, then the wiring. I'm sure Onan makes some great engines, but the one I had certainly wasn't one of them.
 
Make sure it"s not the switch, I had the same trouble with my case was about to put a coil in when the loader got to where it wouldn"t even start after setting. I wasn"t getting current from the switch onward, what tipped me off was that my electric fuel pump wasn"t running with the switch on, put a new switch on and it works fine now.
 
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