Service parts for the P218
Grouped by system, with how many of each the parts manual calls for.
Air intake
1 requiredFuel system
1 requiredOil system
1 requiredPrices captured from merchant listings; some links are affiliate links. Confirm against your serial number before ordering.
Specifications
| Prime power | 13 kW |
|---|---|
| Oil capacity | 1.7 L |
Maintenance & consumables
| Item | Spec | Capacity | Part # | Interval | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air filter | Air Filter | P218-001 | Amazon eBay | ||
| Fuel filter | Fuel Filter | P218-003 | Amazon eBay | ||
| Oil filter | Oil Filter | P218-002 | Amazon eBay |
Service intervals
35| Item | Action | Hours | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine (general) | Inspect | 5 hr | Check for fuel leaks; visually/audibly check exhaust for leaks; column marked 5 hrs | |
| Engine | Inspect | 8 hr | Table 2 footnote 1: check for oil, fuel and exhaust leaks, loose parts and unusual noises and vibrations | |
| Engine oil level | Check | 8 hr | First service — Daily (8 Hour) Maintenance | |
| Exhaust system | Inspect | 8 hr | Look and listen for leaks while running; inspect every time the engine is started and after every 8 hours of continuous operation | |
| Flywheel air inlet screen and cylinder cooling fins | Clean | 8 hr | Daily (8 Hour) Maintenance | |
| Fuel Lines | Inspect | 8 hr | Daily or every 8 hours | |
| Fuel lines and fittings | Inspect | 8 hr | Inspect for leaks; repair leaks immediately | |
| Oil Level | Check | 25 hr | First service — Keep between Full and Add marks on dipstick. | |
| Air Cleaner Foam Wrapper | Clean | 50 hr | Perform more often in dusty conditions. | |
| Air cleaner element and element wrapper | Clean | 50 hr | Perform more often under severe operating conditions | |
| Crankcase oil (all engines without filter) | Change | 50 hr | ||
| Crankcase oil (high capacity base with filter) | Change | 50 hr | First service — Required for initial break-in only, then per standard interval | |
| Crankcase oil (standard base with filter) | Change | 50 hr | First service — Required for initial break-in only, then per standard interval | |
| Cylinder Cooling Fins | Clean | 50 hr | Perform more often in dusty conditions. | |
| Engine valve clearance | Adjust | 500 hr | First service — Table 2: see which engine models require valve clearance adjustment after the first 50 hours; must be performed by a qualified mechanic | |
| Oil filter | Replace | 50 hr | First service — Required for initial break-in only | |
| Air cleaner element | Replace | 200 hr | Perform more often under severe operating conditions | |
| Battery electrolyte level | Check | 100 hr | ||
| Cooling fins | Clean | 100 hr | Perform more often under severe operating conditions | |
| Engine Oil | Change | 100 hr | First service — Also after first 24 hours of operation as part of engine break-in; perform more often in dusty/hot conditions | |
| Engine Oil and Oil Filter | Change | 100 hr | First service — Perform more often in hot or dusty conditions. | |
| Spark Plug | Inspect | 100 hr | Inspect, clean and re-gap. | |
| Carburetor and combustion cleaner (Onan 4C) | Other | 200 hr | Recommended every 200 hours of operation; clean cylinder heads of deposits more often with leaded fuel or continuous light load | |
| Engine Oil Filter | Change | 200 hr | First service — Also after first 24 hours of operation as part of engine break-in; perform more often in dusty/hot conditions | |
| Fuel Filter | Replace | 200 hr | If so equipped. | |
| Spark plugs | Check | 200 hr | Check or replace | |
| Valve clearance (LP and natural gas conversion engines) | Check | 200 hr | ||
| Valve clearance (extended service life engines) | Check | 200 hr | ||
| Valve clearance (standard engines) | Check | 200 hr | For detailed procedure contact Onan Service Center or Service Manual | |
| Spark Plug | Replace | 400 hr | ||
| Spark Plugs | Replace | 500 hr | ||
| Valve clearance (P224 only) | Check | 500 hr | ||
| Carbon and lead deposits (cylinder head) | Clean | 1000 hr | Clean more frequently under continuous light load and/or on leaded fuel; Onan 4C carburetor/combustion cleaner recommended every 200 hours | |
| Cylinder Heads of Deposits | Clean | 1000 hr | Clean more often when using leaded fuel or running continuously under light load; Onan 4C cleaner recommended every 200 hours | |
| Starting Battery | Check | 1 mo | See instructions for battery care provided by equipment or battery manufacturer |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Service specifications
60| Type | Item | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gap | Spark Plug Gap | 0.025 | inches (0.64 mm) | |
| Gap | Spark Plug Gap | 0.035 | inches | |
| Gap | Spark Plug Gap | 0.035 inches (0.89 mm) | inches (mm) | |
| Gap | Spark Plug Gap | 0.89 | mm | |
| Gap | Spark plug gap | 0.64 | mm | |
| Injection timing | Ignition timing | 20 | degrees BTC | |
| Other | Bore | 3.250 inch (83 mm) | inch (mm) | |
| Other | Bore | 3.563 inch (90 mm) | inch (mm) | |
| Other | Bore | 84.2 | mm | |
| Other | Compression Ratio | 7.0 : 1 | ||
| Other | Compression Ratio | 8.5 | :1 | |
| Other | Compression ratio | 6.5 : 1 | ||
| Other | Compression ratio | 6.5 to 1 | P216 | |
| Other | Compression ratio | 7.0 to 1 | P218, P220, P224 | |
| Other | Cranking time limit | 30 | seconds | Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time; wait at least one minute between tries |
| Other | Displacement | 44 inch3 (714 cc) | inch3 (cc) | |
| Other | Displacement | 48 | inches3 (782 cc) | |
| Other | Displacement | 48 inch3 (782 cc) | inch3 (cc) | |
| Other | Displacement | 60 inch3 (980 cc) | inch3 (cc) | |
| Other | Ignition Timing | 20° BTDC | Non-adjustable electronic ignition | |
| Other | Ignition Timing | 23 | ° BTDC | non-adjustable, electronic magneto ignition |
| Other | Ignition Timing | 23° BTDC | degrees BTDC | Non-adjustable, electronic, magneto ignition |
| Other | Spark plug tightening (without torque wrench) | 1/16 turn (22-1/2 degrees) after hand-tight seating | turn | |
| Other | Stroke | 2.625 inch (67 mm) | inch (mm) | |
| Other | Stroke | 2.875 inch (73 mm) | inch (mm) | |
| Other | Stroke | 3.000 inch (76 mm) | inch (mm) | |
| Other | Stroke | 70.0 | mm | |
| Speed | Carburetor speed stop screw setting during low-idle adjustment | 1000 | RPM | Set with carburetor speed stop screw before adjusting low-idle speed |
| Speed | Carburetor speed stop screw setting for speed adjustment | 1000 | RPM | |
| Speed | Governor low speed stop | 1100 | rpm | |
| Speed | High Idle Speed | 3400 | RPM | recommended |
| Speed | High-Idle Speed | 3400 | RPM | recommended in absence of equipment specifications |
| Speed | High-idle engine speed | 3400 | RPM | Recommended in the absence of equipment manufacturer's specifications |
| Speed | High-idle speed (recommended when equipment Operator's Manual gives no specification) | 3400 | RPM | |
| Speed | Idle speed (throttle stop screw) | 1000 | rpm | engine speed control in slow position |
| Speed | Low Idle Speed | 1100 | RPM | recommended |
| Speed | Low Idle Speed | 1400 | RPM | recommended if no equipment spec |
| Speed | Low-Idle Speed | 1400 | RPM | recommended in absence of equipment specifications |
| Speed | Low-idle engine speed | 1100 | RPM | Recommended in the absence of equipment manufacturer's specifications |
| Speed | Low-idle speed (recommended when equipment Operator's Manual gives no specification) | 1100 | RPM | |
| Speed | Power at rated speed | 16 HP (11.9 kW) | HP (kW) | 3600 RPM |
| Speed | Power at rated speed | 18 HP (13.4 kW) | HP (kW) | 3600 RPM |
| Speed | Power at rated speed | 20 HP (14.9 kW) | HP (kW) | 3600 RPM |
| Speed | Power at rated speed | 24 HP (17.9 kW) | HP (kW) | 3600 RPM |
| Speed | Rated engine speed | 3600 | RPM | |
| Torque | Spark Plug | 20 | lbs-ft | |
| Torque | Spark Plug | 26 | N-m | |
| Torque | Spark Plug Tightening Torque | 11 | lbs-ft (14 N-m) | |
| Torque | Spark Plug Tightening Torque | 20 lbs-ft (26 N-m) | lbs-ft (N-m) | |
| Torque | Spark plug tightening torque | 14 | N-m | |
| Valve clearance | Exhaust Valve Clearance | 0.006 | inches | cold |
| Valve clearance | Exhaust Valve Clearance | 0.006 inches (0.15 mm) | inches (mm) | Cold |
| Valve clearance | Exhaust Valve Clearance | 0.013 | inches (0.33 mm) | cold |
| Valve clearance | Exhaust Valve Clearance | 0.15 | mm | cold |
| Valve clearance | Exhaust valve clearance | 0.33 | mm | cold |
| Valve clearance | Exhaust valve clearance (cold) | 0.013 | inch (0.33 mm) | cold |
| Valve clearance | Intake Valve Clearance | 0.005 | inches (0.13 mm) | cold |
| Valve clearance | Intake Valve Clearance | 0.006 | inches | cold |
| Valve clearance | Intake Valve Clearance | 0.006 inches (0.15 mm) | inches (mm) | Cold |
| Valve clearance | Intake Valve Clearance | 0.15 | mm | cold |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Recommended fluids
| Fluid | Grade | Standard | Ambient | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | Rust inhibitor or SAE 30 oil | 1.0 ounce | Out-of-service protection: squirt 1 ounce (2 tablespoons or 28 grams) into each cylinder, crank over a few times, reinstall spark plugs | ||
| Engine oil | SAE viscosity per temperature chart (-20°F to 100°F range) | API SF, SF/CC, or SF/CD | 1.5 Qts (1.4 litre) standard base w/o filter | Straight weight oils recommended for severe duty and above 32°F (0°C) for minimum oil consumption | |
| Engine oil | 5W-30 | API Class SG or SH (also SG/CD, SG/CE, SH/CD or SH/CE) | -28°C to 10°C | 1.9 l | |
| Engine oil | 10W-30 or 10W-40 | API Class SG or SH (also SG/CD, SG/CE, SH/CD or SH/CE) | -18°C to 27°C | 1.9 l | |
| Engine oil | 10W-30, 10W-40 | API Class SG or SH (also SG/CD, SG/CE, SH/CD or SH/CE) | -18°C to 27°C | 0° F to 80° F (-18° C to 27° C) | |
| Engine oil | 15W-40 | API SG or SH (also SG/CD, SG/CE, SH/CD or SH/CE) | -12°C to 38°C | 1.6 l | OnaMax |
| Engine oil | 15W-40 (OnaMax) | API Class SG or SH (also SG/CD, SG/CE, SH/CD or SH/CE) | -12°C to 38°C | 1.9 l | |
| Engine oil | SAE 30 | API Class SG or SH (also SG/CD, SG/CE, SH/CD or SH/CE) | above 0°C | 1.9 l | Single-grade SAE 30 oil is preferable when temperatures are consistently above freezing. |
| Engine oil | 10W-30 | API Class SG or SH (also SG/CD, SG/CE, SH/CD or SH/CE) | 18°C to 27°C | 0 F to 80 F (-18 C to 27 C) | |
| Engine oil | 10W-40 | API Class SG or SH (also SG/CD, SG/CE, SH/CD or SH/CE) | 18°C to 27°C | 0 F to 80 F (-18 C to 27 C) | |
| Fuel | Clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline (regular leaded also usable but not preferred) | Do not use fuel system de-icers or gasoline with alcohol concentration greater than 10% | |||
| Fuel | Commercially available natural gas | Natural gas models | |||
| Fuel | HD-5 grade liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) | At least 90 percent propane; commercial LPG may contain more than 2.5 percent butane | LPG models; poor vaporization and starting below 32 F (0 C) with high butane | ||
| Fuel | HD-5 grade liquified petroleum gas (LPG), at least 90 percent propane | LPG models. Commercial LPG may contain more than 2.5 percent butane, which can cause poor fuel vaporization and poor starting below 32° F (0° C). | |||
| Fuel | Unleaded gasoline | Minimum octane rating (Anti-Knock Index) of 87; do not use gasoline or additives (de-icers) containing methanol | Gasoline models; oxygenated gasolines acceptable but not preferable; leaded gasoline may be used with extra maintenance | ||
| Fuel | Unleaded gasoline, minimum octane rating (Anti-Knock Index) 87 | Gasoline models: use clean, fresh unleaded gasoline. Do not use gasoline or gasoline additives (de-icers) containing methanol. Avoid highly leaded gasolines and lead additives. Oxygenated gasolines are acceptable but not preferable. | |||
| Fuel | unleaded gasoline | minimum octane rating (Anti-Knock Index) of 87 | Do not use gasoline or gasoline additives containing methanol. Leaded gasoline may be used but will result in extra maintenance. | ||
| Other | Gasoline fuel preservative (OnaFresh) | Gasoline engines only; add if equipment will not be operated for more than 120 days, then run engine about 10 minutes; toxic, avoid skin contact |
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Procedures
12Carburetor and Governor Speed Adjustment adjustment
- Start engine and allow to warm up at least 10 minutes
- Move engine speed control to slow position; adjust throttle stop screw for 1000 rpm idle
- Adjust governor low speed stop for 1100 rpm idle
- Move engine speed control to fast position; bend high speed stop on governor to set equipment manufacturer's recommended speed
Choke Adjustment adjustment
Tools: 1/8 inch drill bit, wrench
- Shut off engine, remove air cleaner outer cover and filter element.
- Loosen choke rod swivel clamp screw.
- Lock throttle control lever with pin (1/8 inch drill bit) so pin acts as stop for choke lever.
- Push choke rod towards carburetor to fully open choke.
- Rotate choke lever towards carburetor until it bears against pin stop, tighten swivel clamp screw.
- Remove lock pin and check choke linkage operation. Replace damaged components.
- Reassemble air cleaner.
- Adjust throttle and choke control cables.
Control Cable Adjustments adjustment
Tools: 1/8 inch drill bit, wrench
- For single-cable: shut off engine, loosen throttle cable clamp.
- Lock throttle lever with pin (1/8 inch drill bit).
- Push speed control lever to high speed position.
- Hook cable wire into throttle lever, pull out slack, tighten clamp. Remove lock pin.
- For two-cable: repeat steps 1-3, then push choke knob to full-open.
- Hook choke cable wire into choke lever, push choke rod towards carburetor, pull out slack, tighten clamp.
Engine Speed Adjustment adjustment
⚠ Adjusting the engine speed to a value above that specified by the equipment manufacturer could cause the equipment to operate at speeds in violation of Federal and State Standards for Safety for the equipment.
⚠ Moving parts can cause severe personal injury or death. Take care when measuring engine speed with a tachometer and follow the meter instructions. You must be a qualified mechanic.
Tools: tachometer
- Normally no need to adjust engine speed. Instructions are for equipment manufacturer. Attempt only by qualified mechanic using accurate tachometer.
- Set low-idle and high-idle speeds to values specified in equipment Operator's Manual. If absent, adjust low-idle to 1,100 RPM and high-idle to 3,400 RPM.
- Start engine, observing all equipment manufacturer's instructions and precautions.
- If throttle cable already connected, loosen clamp at engine and back out low-idle speed stop screw so speed stop screw on carburetor touches its stop. Adjust engine speed to 1,000 RPM with carburetor
- Turn low-idle speed stop screw to obtain specified low-idle speed.
- Move engine throttle link up against its stop tang and hold it there while bending tang as necessary to obtain specified high-idle speed.
- Hook engine throttle link with throttle cable, pull slack out of throttle cable and tighten clamp. Check for full, smooth movement of engine throttle link between its two stop positions when equipment
Engine Speed Adjustment (Low-Idle and High-Idle) adjustment
⚠ Engine speed adjustment must be attempted only by a qualified mechanic using an accurate tachometer.
⚠ Adjusting the engine speed above that specified by the equipment manufacturer could cause the equipment to operate at speeds in violation of Federal and State Standards for Safety.
⚠ Moving parts can cause severe personal injury or death. Take care when measuring engine speed with a tachometer.
Tools: Accurate tachometer
- Start the engine, observing all equipment manufacturer's instructions and precautions.
- If the throttle cable is connected, loosen the clamp at the engine and back out the low-idle speed stop screw so the carburetor speed stop screw touches its stop.
- Adjust engine speed to 1000 RPM with the carburetor speed stop screw.
- Turn the low-idle speed stop screw to obtain the specified low-idle speed.
- Move the engine throttle link up against its stop tang and hold it there while bending the tang as necessary to obtain the specified high-idle speed.
- Hook the engine throttle link with the throttle cable, pull out slack and tighten the clamp.
- Check for full, smooth movement of the engine throttle link between its two stop positions through the full range of the equipment throttle lever.
Engine Speed Adjustments adjustment
⚠ Adjusting engine speed above equipment manufacturer spec could cause violation of safety standards.
⚠ Moving parts can cause severe personal injury or death.
Tools: tachometer, 1/8 inch drill bit, wrench
- Remove outer cover of air cleaner and set up tachometer.
- Start engine.
- Lock throttle control lever with pin (1/8 inch drill bit) in control plate.
- Loosen choke rod swivel clamp screw and push choke rod towards carburetor to fully open choke.
- Adjust high-idle speed by rotating engine control plate. Loosen pivot bolt 1/8 turn and set bolt 1/4 turn. Retighten.
- Adjust low-idle speed by turning idle speed screw. Remove lock pin and move throttle to lowest position.
- Shut off engine and readjust choke.
Engine Speed Adjustments (Low-Idle and High-Idle) adjustment
⚠ Adjusting engine speed above that specified by the equipment manufacturer could violate Federal and State Standards for Safety
⚠ Only a qualified mechanic should adjust engine speed
Tools: Accurate tachometer
- Start the engine, observing all equipment manufacturer instructions and precautions.
- Loosen throttle cable clamp and back out low-idle speed stop screw so carburetor speed stop screw touches its stop.
- Adjust engine speed to 1000 RPM with the carburetor speed stop screw.
- Turn the low-idle speed stop screw to obtain the specified low-idle speed.
- Move the engine throttle link against its stop tang and bend the tang for specified high-idle speed.
- Hook throttle link with the cable, remove slack and tighten the clamp.
- Check for full, smooth movement of the throttle link between its two stop positions.
Reconnecting and Reclamping the Choke and Throttle Cables adjustment
⚠ Accidental starting can cause severe injury or death. Always disconnect spark plug and battery before resetting engine control cables.
- Stop engine and disconnect spark plug and battery (negative cable).
- Push choke knob in to full open-choke position and throttle lever to lowest speed position.
- Loosen cable clamp at engine bracket if necessary and hook cable wires into hook holes in choke and throttle control arms.
- Rotate choke and throttle control arms clockwise, hold against stops, pull slack out of cables and tighten cable clamp.
- Check for smooth movement and full travel of choke knob and throttle lever. Remove air cleaner element to see choke plate opens and closes fully. Check throttle control arm touches stop plate and thro
- Reassemble air cleaner and reconnect spark plug and battery.
Reconnecting the Choke Cable adjustment
⚠ Accidental starting of the engine can result in severe personal injury or death. Always disconnect the spark plug and battery (negative [-] cable) before resetting the engine control cables.
- Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plugs and, if so equipped, the battery negative (-) cable.
- Push the equipment choke knob to the full-open choke position.
- Connect the choke cable to the choke lever (hook into the lever or clamp with the screw in a swivel on the lever); pull out cable slack and clamp.
- Check for smooth movement and full travel of the equipment choke knob.
- Remove the air cleaner element to see that the choke plate opens and closes fully.
- Reassemble the air cleaner and reconnect the spark plug and battery.
Troubleshoot - Engine Cranks but will not Start diagnostic
- Step 01: Check fuel supply, spark plugs
- Step 02: Perform checks in Step 01; check battery, ignition coil, ignition module
- Step 03: Perform checks in Step 01 and 02; check fuel filter, fuel pump, carburetor; perform engine leak down test
Troubleshoot - Engine Difficult to Start diagnostic
- Step 01: Check fuel supply, carburetor choke, spark plugs
- Step 02: Perform checks in Step 01; check air cleaner element, fuel filter, intake manifold gaskets, fuel pump, carburetor, ignition coil, ignition module; perform engine leak down test
Troubleshoot - Engine Power Output Low diagnostic
- Step 01: Check governor, throttle cable, carburetor choke, fuel filter, air cleaner element, fuel pump, carburetor
- Step 02: Perform checks in Step 01; check intake manifold gaskets; perform engine leak down test
Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.
Common questions
Which oil filter part number does the Cummins/Onan P218 take?
The Cummins/Onan P218 uses oil filter part number P218-002.
What fuel filter does the Cummins/Onan P218 use?
The Cummins/Onan P218 uses fuel filter part number P218-003.
What air filter fits the Cummins/Onan P218?
The Cummins/Onan P218 uses air filter part number P218-001.
Troubleshooting
1Symptoms & remedies
| Symptom | Cause |
|---|---|
| Blacksmoke from the exhaust and a rough running engine | Over-choking |
Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this model’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing.
Parts
19| Part # | Description | Qty | System | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122-0645 | Oil Filter | 1 | Oil filter | Amazon $14.11 eBay $11.99 |
| 123-005 | Air Cleaner Element | 1 | Air filter | Amazon eBay |
| 123-007 | Spark Plug | 1 | Spark plug | Amazon eBay |
| 123-009 | Oil Filter | 1 | Oil filter | Amazon eBay |
| 123-011 | Fuel Filter | 1 | Fuel filter | Amazon eBay |
| 140-1228 | Air Cleaner Element | 1 | Air filter | Amazon eBay KuduParts $11.00 |
| 140-1496 | Air Cleaner Element Wrapper | 1 | Air filter | Amazon eBay |
| 140-1911 | High Capacity Air Cleaner Element | 1 | Air filter | eBay KuduParts $16.00 |
| 140-1912 | High Capacity Air Cleaner Element Wrapper | 1 | Air filter | eBay |
| 149-2005 | Fuel Filter | 1 | Fuel filter | Amazon eBay $8.50 |
| 167-0263 | Spark Plugs | 1 | Spark plug | Amazon eBay $19.00 |
| FS-1406-2 | THROTTLE SHAFT AND LEVER | 1 | Oil filter | Amazon eBay |
| FS-1440-3 | CARBURETOR ASSEMBLY | Oil filter | Amazon eBay | |
| M-13964 | FRONT PULL GOVERNOR ASSEMBLY | Oil filter | Amazon eBay | |
| P218-001 | Air Filter | 1 | Air filter | Amazon eBay |
| P218-002 | Oil Filter | 1 | Oil filter | Amazon eBay |
| P218-003 | Fuel Filter | 1 | Fuel filter | Amazon eBay |
| 965-0176 | Service part / kit | Amazon eBay | ||
| M-1686 | STARTING SYSTEM | Service part / kit | Amazon eBay |
Service, wear & replacement parts referenced for this model and its engine — confirm the exact part for your serial number. See the full parts catalog to search and cross-reference.