STARTING ENGINE
Engine Maintenance
Always check the engine mounting bolts, muffler, glow plug,
propeller and spinner, etc , before attempting to start the engine.
Check for loose bolts, nuts or screws which may come off when the
engine is running and cause serious damage Always check the area
in which you will be flying or just running the engine Check for
possible hazards, such as loose rags, rocks, tools, etc., lying on the
ground which may get caught in the prop
If you intend on starting the engine by hand flipping the prop,
always use a chicken stick, and be sure to check the position of the
prop It is most comfortable when it is at the 2 o'clock position when
starting the compression stroke When you are using an electric 12V
starter, the position of the prop is of no concern.
Engine Break-In and Starting
Most manufacturers recommend that the engine be broken-in on
a tesi stand We also recommend that this be done according to
manufacturer's instructions If a test stand is unavailable the engine
may be broken-in on the plane Breaking-in the engine allows the
parts to "seat" next to each other
1. Remove the carburetor fuel line and the muffler pressure line
from the muffler
2. Fill the fuel tank through the carburetor fuel line When the
tank is full the fuel will come out of the pressure line
3 Reconnect the tubing
4. Follow your manufacturer's instructions according to needle
valve settings.
5. Turn the radio on and open the throttle to full open Place
your finger over the air intake on the carburetor while turning
the prop counter-clockwise a few times Notice the fuel line.
If any fuel is being sucked into the carburetor, turn the prop a
few more times If no fuel is reaching the carburetor, recheck
the fuel line plumbing
6. Reduce the throttle to 1/4 or 1/2 throttle for starting.
7. Using a starting stick (chicken stick) and holding the fuselage
firmly, quickly flip the prop in the counter-clockwise direction.
Do not attach the glow plug clip in this step This will prevent
the engine from being flooded and will make starting much
easier Do not use bare hands/fingers for starting, as the kick
back from a model engine can be strong enough to cause
severe injury
8 Attach the glow plug clip at this time
9. With quick flipping movements, flip the prop in the counter-
clockwise direction If the engine does not try to start in the
first few tries, double check your procedure and keep trying
10.Once the engine has started, listen carefully to the sound of
the engine The sound of the engine will tell you how the
engine is running, if you know what to listen for A lower-
tone, popping sound is the sound of a rich running engine
As you turn the needle valve in, the popping sounds should
decrease and the pitch of the engine should rise The
optimum needle valve setting will depend on your engine.
Again check with the manufacturer's recommendations for
engine break-in procedures and valve settings
11. If you continue to have problems with the performance or
starting of your engine, refer to the engine trouble shooting
guide shown below
ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
SYMPTOM
The engine does not start
The propeller is difficult to rotate.
The engine fires but does not start.
The engine starts but does not
sound or run good
POSSIBLE CAUSE
Glow plug battery is making poor contact.
Battery is dead or has a very low voltage
Bad glow plug (burned up or deteriorated
filament)
Improper air/fuel mixture intake.
Engine is flooded with fuel.
Engine may be flooded.
Fuel is not reaching the carburetor.
Improper break-in procedures
Loose plug or bad plug.
SOLUTION
Check to see if the battery is wired correctly and to see if
the clip is making good contact with the plug
Replace or recharge the battery and check to make sure
the battery can glow the plug red hot prior to startir g
Replace the glow plug.
Prime the engine through the carburetor air
Close the needle valve completely and try to start the
engine It should start and then quickly stop Reset the
needle valve and continue starting.
Remove the glow plugs and rotate the engine until only a
mist of fuel remains in the cylinder Replace the plug and
continue.
Check the level of fuel in the tank Recheck fuel. Open
the needle valve a half turn or so and continue
Check the break in procedure and repeat
Replace the plug and/or tighten the old plug.
27-
