HomeEnginesCummins/Onan Performer OHV220

Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220 Engine Engine

The Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220 is a 0.65 L 4-cylinder air-cooled engine rated at 3600 rpm, producing up to 15.3 kW. It powers generator sets from Cummins/Onan. It holds 1.55 L (0.4 gal) of oil.

Also known as: Onan Performer OHV220

0.653 L
Displacement
4
Cylinders
3600 rpm
Rated speed
15 kW
Gross power

Engine specifications

Oil capacity1.55 L
Displacement0.653 L
Cylinders4
AspirationAir-cooled
Rated speed3600 rpm
Gross power15 kW

Generator sets powered by this engine

1
Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220

Troubleshooting

10

Symptoms & remedies

SymptomCauseRemedy
Engine cranks slowly or not at allPoor battery connections, Battery is not fully charged, Electric starter is faulty, Improper engine oil, There is a load on the engine, Back pressureClean and tighten the positive (+) and negative (–) battery connections at battery and engine, Recharge the battery, Check starter brushes and bearings, Change oil having the proper viscosity for the ambient temperature, Remove load and retry, There is excessive back pressure due to a plugged or bent exhaust pipe
Engine cranks but fails to startDamaged spark plug(s), Fuel Supply, Fuel, Carburetor problems, Governor and throttle linkage, The fuel cut-off solenoid is faultyCheck the spark plug gap. Check for a bad insulator on plug and replace if damaged. Clean carbon deposit from electrode. If wet, dry electrode, Check fuel supply and shut-off valve. Check fuel filter and clean if dirty. Check all fuel hoses for crimps and clogging. Check connections into carburetor for air leaking in, Gasoline may have water mixed in or the gasoline grade is not correct, Carburetor is flooded and may have bad floats or the floats are stuck. Carburetor has varnish deposits built up and requires disassembly and cleaning, Check linkage connections. Check tension in springs. Check governor, throttle and speed adjustments, Check for loose or damaged wires and connectors. Check voltage levels at the connector to the solenoid. Replace harness or solenoid, Check air cleaner and service if dirty
Electric starter does not operateKey or start switch, No continuity between the key switch and the starter, No continuity between the battery and starter, Low battery, Starter solenoid is bad, Starter motor is badCheck wiring connections and switch. Replace wires, Replace cable, Change or recharge battery, Check voltages, clean, repair or replace, Check brushes and wiring, repair or replace
Electric starter operates but engine does not startLow fuel, Poor wiring connection or no continuity of ignition system, Electric starter is badCheck wiring connections and ignition coils for a short, Repair or replace, Slow cranking RPM is caused by low voltage at starter or worn brushes or bearings. Repair or replace
Engine OverheatsAir flow is obstructed at inlet or cylinder baffle, Improper engine oil, Lean air/fuel mixture, Excessive back pressure on exhaust, Engine is overloadedClean out debris in baffle, Replace oil, Check for plugged passages in carburetor, Check muffler and spark arrester, Change to rated load
Engine Idles RoughLow idle speed, Air is mixing at air intake connection, There is blow-by on the head gasket, Improper valve clearanceAdjust idle on carburetor, Check, tighten or replace gasket, Replace the gasket, Adjust clearance
DizzinessGet out into fresh air immediately, shut down the unit and do not use it until it has been inspected.
VomitingGet out into fresh air immediately, shut down the unit and do not use it until it has been inspected.
Muscular TwitchingGet out into fresh air immediately, shut down the unit and do not use it until it has been inspected.
Weakness and SleepinessGet out into fresh air immediately, shut down the unit and do not use it until it has been inspected.

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

Common problems

10
  • Weakness and Sleepiness
    Fix: Get out into fresh air immediately, shut down the unit and do not use it until it has been inspected.
  • Vomiting
    Fix: Get out into fresh air immediately, shut down the unit and do not use it until it has been inspected.
  • Muscular Twitching
    Fix: Get out into fresh air immediately, shut down the unit and do not use it until it has been inspected.
  • Engine Overheats
    Cause: Air flow is obstructed at inlet or cylinder baffle, Improper engine oil, Lean air/fuel mixture, Excessive back pressure on exhaust, Engine is overloaded
    Fix: Clean out debris in baffle, Replace oil, Check for plugged passages in carburetor, Check muffler and spark arrester, Change to rated load
  • Engine Idles Rough
    Cause: Low idle speed, Air is mixing at air intake connection, There is blow-by on the head gasket, Improper valve clearance
    Fix: Adjust idle on carburetor, Check, tighten or replace gasket, Replace the gasket, Adjust clearance
  • Engine cranks slowly or not at all
    Cause: Poor battery connections, Battery is not fully charged, Electric starter is faulty, Improper engine oil, There is a load on the engine, Back pressure
    Fix: Clean and tighten the positive (+) and negative (–) battery connections at battery and engine, Recharge the battery, Check starter brushes and bearings, Change oil having the proper viscosity for the ambient temperature, Remove load and retry, There is excessive back pressure due to a plugged or bent exhaust pipe
  • Engine cranks but fails to start
    Cause: Damaged spark plug(s), Fuel Supply, Fuel, Carburetor problems, Governor and throttle linkage, The fuel cut-off solenoid is faulty
    Fix: Check the spark plug gap. Check for a bad insulator on plug and replace if damaged. Clean carbon deposit from electrode. If wet, dry electrode, Check fuel supply and shut-off valve. Check fuel filter and clean if dirty. Check all fuel hoses for crimps and clogging. Check connections into carburetor for air leaking in, Gasoline may have water mixed in or the gasoline grade is not correct, Carburetor is flooded and may have bad floats or the floats are stuck. Carburetor has varnish deposits built up and requires disassembly and cleaning, Check linkage connections. Check tension in springs. Check governor, throttle and speed adjustments, Check for loose or damaged wires and connectors. Check voltage levels at the connector to the solenoid. Replace harness or solenoid, Check air cleaner and service if dirty
  • Electric starter operates but engine does not start
    Cause: Low fuel, Poor wiring connection or no continuity of ignition system, Electric starter is bad
    Fix: Check wiring connections and ignition coils for a short, Repair or replace, Slow cranking RPM is caused by low voltage at starter or worn brushes or bearings. Repair or replace
  • Electric starter does not operate
    Cause: Key or start switch, No continuity between the key switch and the starter, No continuity between the battery and starter, Low battery, Starter solenoid is bad, Starter motor is bad
    Fix: Check wiring connections and switch. Replace wires, Replace cable, Change or recharge battery, Check voltages, clean, repair or replace, Check brushes and wiring, repair or replace
  • Dizziness
    Fix: Get out into fresh air immediately, shut down the unit and do not use it until it has been inspected.

Compiled from service & troubleshooting documentation across every generator set that uses the Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220.

Maintenance schedule

ItemSpecCapacityPart #Interval
Air filterDouble Element Assembly1000 hr find
Fuel filter500 hr find
Oil filter1000 hr find
Belt find
Coolant5000 hr
OilSAE or API viscosity grade1.55 l50 hr

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

Common questions

What is the oil capacity of the Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220?

The Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220 engine has an oil capacity of 1.55 liters.

What is the displacement of the Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220?

The Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220 has a displacement of 0.653 liters with 4 cylinders.

Which generators use the Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220 engine?

The Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220 powers 1 generator set(s), including Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220.

How often should you change the oil in the Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220?

The Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220 oil change interval is every 50 hours.

What is a common problem with the Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220 engine?

A commonly reported issue on generators using the Cummins/Onan Performer OHV220 is: Weakness and Sleepiness. Fix: Get out into fresh air immediately, shut down the unit and do not use it until it has been inspected..