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Cummins/Onan MDJA Engine Engine

The Cummins/Onan MDJA is a 0.49 L 1-cylinder engine rated at 1800 rpm, producing up to 5.2 kW. It powers generator sets from Cummins/Onan. It holds 2.4 L (0.6 gal) of oil.

Also known as: Onan MDJA

0.49 L
Displacement
1
Cylinders
1800 rpm
Rated speed
5 kW
Gross power

Engine specifications

Oil capacity2.4 L
Displacement0.49 L
Cylinders1
Rated speed1800 rpm
Gross power5 kW

Generator sets powered by this engine

1

Troubleshooting

22

Symptoms & remedies

SymptomCauseRemedy
TAPPING SOUNDPoor grade or dirty fuel. Injection pump or nozzle not operating properly. Faulty injection timing. Dirty air cleaner. Fuel tank empty. Safety switch operated (where used). Loose crankshaft bearing. Low oil supply. Oil badly diluted. Valve clearance too great. Broken valve spring.Use only clean, recommended fuel. Clean nozzle. If necessary, install new nozzle or injection pump. Check injection pump timing. Clean. Refill. Correct the overheating or the lubrication failure. Press reset switch. Replace unless one of the next two remedies permanently corrects the trouble. Add oil. Change oil. Adjust. Replace faulty valve system. Install new spring. If noise only slight and disappears when engine warms up, no immediate attention needed. Otherwise replace worn parts. Adjust or replace.
ENGINE RACESToo much fuel injected. Faulty injection.Check governor performance and linkage condition.
ENGINE MISFIRESLow compression. Defective gauge. Oil too light or diluted from leaking fuel pump diaphragm. Oil too low. Oil relief valve not seating. Badly worn bearings. Sludge on oil cup screen. Badly worn oil pump.Tighten cylinder head. Service valves and piston rings as needed. Replace. Drain. Refill with proper oil. Repair or replace transfer pump. Add oil. Clean. Replace if needed. Replace. Clean screen and oil sump. Replace.
LOW OIL PRESSUREOil too light or diluted from leaking fuel pump diaphragm. Oil too low. Oil relief valve not seating. Badly worn bearings.Drain. Refill with proper oil. Repair or replace transfer pump. Add oil. Clean. Replace if needed.
HIGH OIL PRESSUREOil too heavy grade.Change oil.
ENGINE OVERHEATINGClogged oil passages. Oil relief valve stuck. Poor coolant circulation.Clean all lines and passages. Clean by-pass. Replace if needed.
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. Poor brush contact (or poor commutation on revolving armature models). Loose connections. Fluctuating load.Adjust governor to correct speed. See that brushes seat well on commutator, are free in their holders, are not worn too short, and have good spring tension. Tighten connections. Correct any abnormal load condition causing trouble.
NOISY AND EXCESSIVE ARCING OF BRUSHES (REVOLVING ARMATURE MODEL)Rough commutator. Dirty commutator. Brushes not seating properly.Turn down. Undercut mica between bars. Clean. Sand to a good seat.
GENERATOR OVERHEATING (APPROXIMATELY 160°F. HIGHER THAN AMBIENT)Overloaded.Reduce load.
VOLTAGE DROPS UNDER HEAVY LOADPoor compression. Faulty injection. Dirty air cleaner. Restricted exbaust line.Tighten cylinder head and spark plug. If still not corrected, grind the valves. Replace piston rings, if necessary. Check the fuel system. Clean, adjust or replace parts necessary. Clean.
ENGINE WILL NOT CRANKBattery discharged.Recharge.
ENGINE WILL NOT START WHEN CRANKEDDefective starting circuit.Repair or replace as necessary.
ENGINE STOPS WHEN START SW. IS RELEASEDToo heavy oil in crankcase.Drain, refill with lighter oil.
ENGINE RUNS BUT VOLTAGE DOES NOT BUILD UPPoor brush contact.See that brushes seat well, are free in their holders, are not worn too short, and have good spring tension.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, LIGHT BLUE SMOKY EXHAUSTOil leaks from oil base or connections.Drain, refill with correct oil.
BLACK, SMOKY EXHAUST, EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION, POSSIBLE LOW POWER UNDER HEAVY LOADPoor compression, usually due to worn piston, rings, or cylinder.Repair as necessary.
ENGINE STOPS UNEXPECTEDLYBlack smoky exhaust normal condition with overload.Reduce load to within rated capacity. If smoky condition continues, stop unit and investigate.
DULL METALLIC THUD. IF NOT BAD, MAY DISAPPEAR AFTER FEW MINUTES OPERATION. IF BAD, INCREASES WITH LOAD.Tighten cylinder head, grind or replace valves, replace piston rings as needed.
SHARP METALLIC THUDRefer to symptoms of engine misfiring.
Do not work on energized equipmentDo not work on energized equipment. Unauthorized personnel must not be permitted near energized equipment. Induced voltage remains even after equipment is disconnected from the power source. Plan maintenance with authorized personnel so equipment can be de-energized and safely grounded.

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

Common questions

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

The Cummins/Onan MDJA engine has an oil capacity of 2.4 liters.

What is the displacement of the Cummins/Onan MDJA?

The Cummins/Onan MDJA has a displacement of 0.49 liters with 1 cylinders.

Which generators use the Cummins/Onan MDJA engine?

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