HomeEnginesCummins/Onan CCK

Cummins/Onan CCK Engine Engine

The Cummins/Onan CCK is a 2-cylinder natural engine rated at 1500 rpm. It powers generator sets from Cummins/Onan, including the 3.5CCK, 4.0CCK, 5.0 CCK and CC. It holds 2.8 L (0.7 gal) of oil.

Also known as: Onan CCK

Part of the Cummins/Onan CCK engine family — 2 variants share parts & fitment.

2
Cylinders
1500 rpm
Rated speed
2.8 L
Oil capacity

Engine specifications

Oil capacity2.8 L
Cylinders2
AspirationNatural
Rated speed1500 rpm

Troubleshooting

40

Symptoms & remedies

SymptomCauseRemedy
The speed may remain about the same or increase when the load is applied, resulting in a frequency 1 or 2-cycles Aigker than the no load frequency.If the rise in frequency is more than 2-cycles, lessen the internal spring tension. If there is a drop in the frequency, increase the booster internal spring tension. To increase the tension, pull out on the spring bracket, and move the pin to a different hole.
Engine will not start when crankedBattery discharged. Loose connections. Defective starting circuit. Defective switch.Refill tank. Check fuel system. Clean, adjust, as necessary. Crank few times with spark plugs removed. Drain, refill with fresh fuel. Tighten cylinder heads & spark plugs. Reset breaker points.
Engine cranks too stifflyToo heavy oil in crankcase.Drain, refill with lighter oil.
Hot crankLack of fuel or faulty carburetion.Tighten connections. Clogged fuel screen. Repait or replace as necessary. Cylinders flooded. Replace. Poor fuel. Poor compression.
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustOil leaks from oil base or connections, This does not cause smoky exhaust.Check breather valve.
Engine misfiring.Faulty ignition.Clean, adjust, or replace spark plugs.
BLACK, SMOKY EXHAUST, EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION, FOUCING OF SPARK PLUG WITH SOOT, POSSIBLE LACK OF POWER UNDER HEAVY LOADFuel mixture too rich.Adjust carburetor or choke. Install needed carburetor parts.
Engine stops unexpectedly.Fuel tank empty.Fill with fresh fuel.
SHARP METALLIC THUD, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD ENGINE FIRST STARTEDLow oil supply.Add oil.
Oil badly diluted.Change oil.
PINGING SOUND WHEN ENGINE IS SUDDENLY OR HEAVILY LOADED!Wrong spark plug.Install correct spark plug.
Spark plug burned or carboned.Install new plug.
Fuel stale or low octane.Use good, fresh fuel.
LEAN FUEL MIXTURE.Clean or adjust carburetor. Clean intake air line.
LIGHT POUNDING KNOCKInspect linkage and setting.Clean & adjust carburetor.
Low air supply.Add oil. Change oil.
ENGINE MISFIRES AT LIGHT LOADSpark plug gap too narrow.Adjust to correct gap. Tighten or replace manifold and carburetor gaskets.
INTAKE AIR LEAK.Tighten or replace manifold and carburetor gaskets.
FAULTY IGNITION.Clean, adjust or replace spark plugs. Tighten cylinder head & spark plugs. Grind valves.
LOW COMPRESSION.Tighten cylinder head & spark plugs. Grind valves.
ENGINE MISFIRES AT HEAVY LOADSpark plug gap too wideAdjust gap
CLOGGED CARBURETOR.Clean, adjust or replace spark plugs. Clean jet and adjust carb.
CLOGGED FUEL SCREEN.Clean, adjust or replace spark plugs. Clean jet and adjust carb.
ENGINE BACKFIRESLean fuel mixture.Clean or adjust carburetor.
ENGINE RACESGovernor not controlling carburetor.Check governor performance & linkage condition. Refill with good, fresh fuel.
LOW OIL PRESSUREDefective gage.Replace.
Oil too light or diluted from leaking fuel pump diaphragm.Drain. Refill with proper oil. Repair or replace fuel pump.
Oil taa low.Add oil.
Sludge on oil cup screen.Clean screen & air sump.
Badly worn oil pump.Replace.
HIGH OIL PRESSUREDefective gage.Replace.
Oil too heavy grade.Drain. Refill.
Clogged oil passages.Clean all lines & passages.
Oil relief valve stuck.Clean by-pass. Replace if needed.
ENGINE OVERHEATING (Approximasely 60°F higher than ambient)Overloaded.Reduce load.
VOLTAGE LOW AT FAR END OF LINE BUT NORMAL NEAR POWER PLANTToo small line wire for load and distance.Install larger or extra wires. Or reduce load.
ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNS TOO SLOWLY AND OVERHEATS AT FAR END OF LINE BUT OK IF USED NEAR POWER UNITToo small line wire for load and distance.Install larger or extra wires. Or reduce load.
VOLTAGE UNSTEADY BUT ENGINE NOT MISFIRINGSpeed too low.Adjust governor to correct speed.
Loose connections.Tighten connections.
Correct any abnormal load condition causing trouble.Write a letter to the same address stating the reason for returning the part.

Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this engine’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing.

Common problems

15
  • Low or Discharged Battery
    Fix: Faulty Starter, Faulty Start Solenoid
  • Out of Fuel
    Fix: Check fuel
  • Loose or Corroded Battery Connection
    Cause: Faulty Starter
  • Lean Fuel Mixture
    Fix: Readjust
  • VOLTAGE UNSTEADY BUT ENGINE NOT MISFIRING
    Cause: Speed too low.
    Fix: Adjust governor to correct speed.
  • VOLTAGE LOW AT FAR END OF LINE BUT NORMAL NEAR POWER PLANT
    Cause: Too small line wire for load and distance.
    Fix: Install larger or extra wires. Or reduce load.
  • The speed may remain about the same or increase when the load is applied, resulting in a frequency 1 or 2-cycles Aigker than the no load frequency.
    Fix: If the rise in frequency is more than 2-cycles, lessen the internal spring tension. If there is a drop in the frequency, increase the booster internal spring tension. To increase the tension, pull out on the spring bracket, and move the pin to a different hole.
  • Spark plug burned or carboned.
    Fix: Install new plug.
  • Sludge on oil cup screen.
    Fix: Clean screen & air sump.
  • SHARP METALLIC THUD, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD ENGINE FIRST STARTED
    Cause: Low oil supply.
    Fix: Add oil.
  • Preignition can occur causing engine damage.
    Cause: Not removing lead deposits before switching from leaded to non-leaded gasoline.
  • PINGING SOUND WHEN ENGINE IS SUDDENLY OR HEAVILY LOADED!
    Cause: Wrong spark plug.
    Fix: Install correct spark plug.
  • Operating problems due to the fuel system.
    Fix: Check the fill cap to make sure the vacuum and pressure relief valve is working properly.
  • Oil too light or diluted from leaking fuel pump diaphragm.
    Fix: Drain. Refill with proper oil. Repair or replace fuel pump.
  • Oil too heavy grade.
    Fix: Drain. Refill.

Compiled from service & troubleshooting documentation across every generator set that uses the Cummins/Onan CCK.

Maintenance schedule

ItemSpecCapacityPart #Interval
Air filter500 hr find
FuelFuel system and pump
OilAPI SE or SE/CC3.79 liters200 hr

Pooled from every document that names this exact engine — confirm the interval and part number against your unit's serial number.

Repair guides

9

Step-by-step procedures compiled from the Cummins/Onan service manual for this engine.

Parts cataloged across the Cummins/Onan CCK family

74
Part #DescriptionCategory
140B495Air Cleaner Elementair_filter
140P837Element, Air Cleanerair_filter
511-76Belt, Alternatorbelt
514-51Belt, Charge Generator Drivebelt
149-0751Electric Shutoff Valveelectric_shutoff_valve
149-149Filter, Fuelfuel_filter
149-150Bowl, Fuel Filterfuel_filter
149-0558Fuel Strainerfuel_strainer
101K115Gasket Kit, Rear Bearing Plategasket
102B158Gasket, Oil Basegasket
103B1Gasket, Gear Covergasket
103B11Gasket, Gear covergasket
110A667Gasket, Valve Covergasket
110A892Gasket, Cylinder Headgasket
110B880Gasket, Fuel Pump Hole Covergasket
110D883Gasket, Cylinder Head Left #1 Hi-Compgasket
110D884Gasket, Cylinder Head Right #2 Hi-Compgasket
110D890Gasket, Cylinder Head Right #2gasket
110D891Gasket, Cylinder Head Left #1gasket
120A491*Gasket, Diaphragmgasket
120K161Gasket Kit, Oil Pumpgasket
123A104Gasket, Oil Fill Tubegasket
123A191Gasket, Oil Fill Capgasket
141A78Gasket, Carburetor Flangegasket
142-31Gasket, Body to Bowlgasket
142-32Gasket, Nozzlegasket
142-33*Gasket Kit, Carburetorgasket
142-361Gasket, Nozzlegasket
142-49*Valve and Seat Assembly, Float - Includes Gasket ........•...•..gasket
145B266Gasket, Carburetor Adapter to Manifoldgasket
148A17@Gasket, Bushing - Float Lock.gasket
148A22Gasket, Adapter Mountinggasket
149A3Gasket, Fuel Pump Mtg. 45 502-3 ! Connector, Fue! Filtergasket
149A858Gasket, Diaphragmgasket
149A95Gasket, Valvegasket
150A425Gasket, Booster to Manifoldgasket
150A668Gasket, Diaphragm Plategasket
154A13Gasket, Intake Manifoldgasket
154A360Gasket, Carburetor Mountinggasket
154C377Gasket, Exhaust Manifold or Muffler Mountinggasket
160A150Gasket, Breaker Box Covergasket
160A43Gasket, Breaker Box Mountinggasket
160A723Gasket, Breaker Box and Spacer Mountinggasket
168K103Gasket Kit, Plantgasket
168K67Gasket Kit, Plant (Repl. 16aK103)gasket
168K88Gasket Kit, Complete Enginegasket
518-129*Gasket, Fuel Pump Mountinggasket
168K95Gasket Kit, Carbon Removalgasket_kit
501A118Line, Flexible Oilhose
501A9Line, Flexible Fuelhose
503A480Hose, Air Cleanerhose
122-37Cartridge, Oil Filteroil_filter
122-75Element, Oil Filteroil_filter
122C9Filter, Oil - Includes Cartridge (Optional)oil_filter
160A2Point Set, Breakerother_service
160A75160A 150other_service
201-1312Rotor Assembly, Woundother_service
222-1675Blower, Generator Plate, Baffle Armature Assembly - includes Blower and Bearing - DC Iother_service
312A69Condenserother_service
148-0034Pressure Reducingpressure_reducing
120A187Pump - Includes Cup, Screen and Pipepump
149D693Pump, Fuel - ONAN mfr., with primer lever - Replaces earlier atyle pumps used, of any manufacturepump
149A404Seal, 'O' Ringseal
509-65149A1042seal
509-8Seal, Oil - Governor Shaftseal
509-9Seal, "O" Ringseal
509A40*Seal, Gear Coverseal
509A41Seal, Bearing Plateseal
509A97Seal, Oil - Gear Coverseal
XA-744ANSeal, 'O' Ringseal
193A108Element, Oil Pressuresensor
167-177Plug, Sparkspark_plug
167-241Plug, Sparkspark_plug
134B660Element, Vernathermthermostat

Parts cataloged across all variants of this engine family — verify the exact part fits your specific variant and serial number before ordering.

Common questions

What is the oil capacity of the Cummins/Onan CCK?

The Cummins/Onan CCK engine has an oil capacity of 2.8 liters.

Which generators use the Cummins/Onan CCK engine?

The Cummins/Onan CCK powers 4 generator set(s), including Cummins/Onan 3.5CCK, Cummins/Onan 4.0CCK, Cummins/Onan 5.0 CCK, Cummins/Onan CC.

How often should you change the oil in the Cummins/Onan CCK?

The Cummins/Onan CCK oil change interval is every 200 hours.

What is a common problem with the Cummins/Onan CCK engine?

A commonly reported issue on generators using the Cummins/Onan CCK is: Low or Discharged Battery. Fix: Faulty Starter, Faulty Start Solenoid.