Ok guys, I have experienced my first problem with my DA-50. I have called DA and have a plan for resolution, but thought maybe you guys can help out in the process. Quick update - I replaced the fuel valve with a fuel dot. Ran two tanks of 24 oz of fuel through the engine at 32-1 using lawnboy ash less. This was the last of the fuel to get past the five gallon point. All ran perfect. I went to the field and started the engine for the first test flight after doing repairs from the DS with the fuel valve. The engine started and then stopped due to trying to goose the throttle too early before it warmed up. I then could not get the engine started after that.

I pulled the plug and it was obviously flooded with a very wet plug. I cleaned the plug and then tried to start. It would only pop and sputter but it just wouldn't catch. This wore my arm out so I got the Megatron starter out and this only flooded the engine repeatedly. I had set the low end a bit more to the lean side during the test run and all had worked fine with a good low idle and a solid run up to WOT. I pulled the plug again and cleaned and then checked for spark. No spark. I pulled the plug again and cleaned and this time allowed to dry out over night. The engine started right up today and ran fine. I shut it down and then tried to start again only it wouldn't start. Arrgh!

I pulled the plug and cleaned it again and checked the spark again. No spark. I checked the spark by holding the plug against the jug and then turned the engine as though trying to start. No spark. Hm........ My ignition battery is a 1100 mah NiCd four pack and it showed 5.1 volts. I occasionally got a pop but again the engine acted like it just wouldn't catch. If I advanced the throttle at all it would stop popping and flood. I then tried resetting the needles after talking with DA. I used 1 and 1/2 turn on the low end and 1 7/8 turn on the high end per DA. This did not help. Just to be sure about the settings, I used full turns and not half turns on the needles.

So here is what we are doing going forward. I have ordered two new plugs from DA. Hope to have in a couple days. If this does not resolve the problem then I am going to send the ignition in for testing. If this does not resolve the problem then I will send the engine and the ignition in. I was still using a 32/1 mixture when all this happened. I am right at the point where I can now begin to use amsoil. I also checked all the wiring to make sure there were no loose connections.

To date the engine has ran very well with no problems until I encountered a problem with the fuel valve. I re-plumbed all the fuel lines and as I said, ran two 24 oz tanks on the ground to be sure all checked out. I ran the test at about 1/4 throttle and changed the rpms at times with the cowling off and in the shade.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?