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Home›Repair guides›Cummins/Onan›Changing Oil and Oil Filter

Cummins/Onan — Changing Oil and Oil Filter

Maintenance · Engine lubrication system

From a Cummins/Onan owner's manual — check it applies to your exact model before use.

Applies to: Cummins/Onan HDKA

Before you start

  • Contact with used engine oil can cause cancer or reproductive toxicity; use protective gloves and wash exposed skin.
  • Crankcase pressure can blow out hot oil and cause severe burns. Stop the engine before checking the oil level or opening the fill cap.
  • Too little oil can lead to severe engine damage and too much oil to high oil consumption and foaming.

Parts for this job

Part numbers from the service-parts list for Cummins/Onan HDKA. Verify against your serial number before ordering; some links are affiliate links.

Procedure

  1. Run the engine until thoroughly warm and stop it.
  2. Open either the side or bottom service access door to get at the oil drain valve and oil filter (Figure 5).
  3. Drain the oil into a suitable container and close the valve when the oil has completely drained.
  4. Place a container under the oil filter to catch drips and spin off the oil filter.
  5. Clean the filter mounting surface, making sure to remove the old gasket.
  6. Apply oil to the new filter gasket and spin the filter on until the gasket just touches the mounting pad.
  7. Tighten an additional 3/4 turn.
  8. Refill with the proper amount of oil, start the engine and check for leakage around the filter gasket.
  9. Tighten the filter only enough to stop leakage; shut off the genset, recheck the oil level and add oil as necessary.
  10. Secure the access door.

Tools required

Tool links are Amazon searches (affiliate links); manufacturer special tools may only be available from a dealer.

Specs & values

  • Tighten new oil filter an additional 3/4 turn after gasket contact
  • Lube Oil Capacity 5.39 qt (5.1 L)

Full service-parts list: Cummins/Onan HDKA →

Source: Cummins/Onan owner's manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.

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