perreback

My new Saito FA-180 (about five hours of operation), sitting in a Funtana 125, suddenly lost power during a flight yesterday. Having previously had unlimited vertical, the plane could suddenly barely hover. The only thing that could explain such a dramatic loss of power, I figured, was a problem with the valves. Sure enough, upon inspection I discovered that one of the rocker arm pins was actually broken in two. Fancy that, an almost brand new engine. []

This leaves me with two problems. 1) How do I remove the threaded part? Tricky. 2) Where can I find a replacement part? I've been searching various online shops, but no luck yet.

RGN01

If you mean these?


Don't know why image won't show http://www.macgregor.co.uk/saito/ima...120S43_LRG.jpg

Then MacGregor in the UK list them http://www.macgregor.co.uk/saito/fa180-parts.htm and http://www.macgregor.co.uk/saito/sai120s43.htm and Hobbyplastic have them for £3.95 per pair http://hobbyplastic.co.uk/index.php?...oducts_id=2351

Good luck getting the bit out - you could try cutting a slot in the end with a Dremel then using a screwdriver, perhaps?

Richard

perreback

Yes, those are the ones I was referring to - thanks for the prompt reply.

Actually, I already checked out the sites you linked to. The Hobbyplastic pins are for a Saito 120 - will they also fit a 180, do you think?

SrTelemaster150

Except for the valves themselves, the FA120/150/180 use the same valve train parts.

I would try a drill bit from the starbord (engine left when viewed from the front) threaded side. Once it bites in it will screw the threaded part in towards the center & thus "out".

Campgems

The 120,150, and 180 all use the same top end parts.

In addition to the pin, I would replace the rocker arm bracket also, Two reasons, the first being that you won't have to worry about getting the screw out and second, If the rocker pin broke, it probably damaged the bore of the rocker arm bracket.

There is a right and left bracket, so make sure you get the right one. It is held on the head by one screwunder the rocker arm.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...bk-SAIE180B#t4
This is the link to the Horizon parts listing.

Scan down the list until your find the Rocker arm bracket (Lf) or (rt) depending on which one you need. The actual PN's are SAI120S44 for the left one and SAI120S45 for the right one. They are inexpensive parts, $8.25 so it really isn't worth your time trying to salvage one.

Good luck, it is a great engine. I have a 180, a 150, and the 120.

Don

bogbeagle

Probably find that a bit of piano wire will do very nicely.

perreback

Gentlemen, thank you for your replies - much appreciated! I will look into acquiring the appropriate parts, and I hope to have the Funtana flying again soon. Again, thanks!

bigphil

My Feedback: (6)

If it's almost a "new" engine why don't you send it to Horizon for warranty service?

perreback

It's new in the sense that it has only run for a few hours, but I bought it about two years ago. I'm not sure when the warranty expires, and in any case I can't be bothered to remove the entire engine if I can get away with simply changing a part or two, with the engine still sitting in the plane. Besides, Horizon is waaay beyond the horizon from me (look at my location), and I want to fly now, not in a couple of weeks or months.

perreback

Well, the other day I finally got the needed parts (which had been on backorder for a while). I installed a new rocker arm bracket and a new rocker arm pin. Just as Campgems suspected, the rocker arm bracket was also damaged and needed to be changed. Today I went to fly with the Funtana again. The engine started without a problem. During the first flight I had the engine run rather rich. Second flight, a little leaner, but still lots of white smoke. The Funtana flew great, the engine performed well - until the cam gear suddenly broke in mid-flight! [:@]

I have several other Saitos - one 220, three 100, two 56, one thirtysomething (36? - can't remember) - but none of them has given me as much trouble as the 180.

SrTelemaster150

Doen't it say right on the box "3 year warranty"?


I would suspect that when the rocker arm pin broke it put stress on the cam gear.

Horizon has been good about sending me replacement parts for warranty when I have done my own repairs. Not sure how your UK distributor may be on that.