RV and Motorhome Generator Repair
Onboard generators break far more often from sitting than from running. A rig that sat through a desert summer comes back with stale fuel, a gummed-up carburetor, and a battery that slowly died in the heat. That is the most common generator job we see, and it is fixable.
What sitting does to a generator
Gasoline goes bad in a matter of months, and today’s ethanol-blended fuel pulls in water while it sits. That is why a generator that ran fine in April will not start in October. The varnish left behind clogs the tiny passages inside the carburetor, the fuel filter loads up, and the starting battery weakens from sitting at partial charge in high heat. Add rodents finding the compartment and you have most of the failures in one list.
We test before we replace
A generator that cranks but will not fire, one that fires but will not carry a load, and one that shuts down after a few minutes are three different problems. We check fuel delivery and fuel quality, spark, compression, the starting and control wiring, and the cooling path, then fix what the tests point at. Routine service is simple: oil and filter based on running hours, air and fuel filters, spark plug, and a load test to prove it will actually run what you plan to plug into it.
What we do not touch
We are a mechanical shop. The rooftop air conditioner, the fridge, the water heater, and the furnace are RV appliances, and an appliance specialist is the right call for those. We say that on the phone rather than after your rig is in the bay. What we handle is the generator, the chassis, the drivetrain, the motorhome’s electrical, alignment, and the dash air conditioning that cools the cab while you drive.
What's included
- No-start and will-not-carry-a-load diagnosis
- Carburetor service and fuel system cleaning
- Oil, filters, and spark plug service by running hours
- Starting battery and control wiring tested
- Load test before the rig leaves
RV Generator Service & Repair: questions we get asked
My generator will not start after sitting all season. Can you fix it?
That is the single most common generator job here, and yes. Long storage leaves stale fuel, a gummed carburetor, a loaded fuel filter, and a weak battery. We figure out which of those it is instead of replacing parts one at a time on your dime.
How often should I run my generator?
Manufacturers generally want you to run it regularly with something actually switched on, rather than letting it sit for months, and your generator manual gives the interval for your unit. Running it for a minute with nothing plugged in does not do the same thing. Regular exercise is far cheaper than a carburetor.
Should I use fuel stabilizer?
For anything stored more than a month, yes. Today’s gasoline absorbs moisture and leaves varnish behind as it ages, and stabilizer slows that down. Your manual will also tell you how it wants the fuel system left during storage.
Do you work on rooftop RV air conditioners?
No. We service the dash air conditioning, the system that cools the cab while you drive. Rooftop units are appliances, and an RV appliance shop is the right call for those.
Do I need an appointment to bring a motorhome in?
Call (760) 343-3535 first. Bay space for a big rig has to be scheduled, and neither of us wants you driving a motorhome across town to find the bay full.
Family-owned since 1981
Three ASE Master Technicians
12-month / 12,000-mile warranty on qualifying work
32125 Arbol Real, Thousand Palms, CA 92276
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
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Where we serve
We serve drivers across the Coachella Valley: