Fellow flyers,

I have just started gassers, although I've been flying glow engine heli's for about 10 years. I bought an x-cell graphite 60 gasser from someone who later turned out to be rather dishonest in the sale. I'm without manuals (altough I got the heli manual from Rick's), and I'm not completely sure about the specifics of some of the components.

I think the engine is a Zenoah g-23 (is there an easy way to check?) and I think it was professionally modified (PPR stage 2 is engraved on the block). I've been using BP 93 octane gas and Homelite 2-cycle oil at 25:1. The muffler looks like a Hatori, only of larger diameter than the glow ones. I'm using FM (PPM) to see if I'm getting a lot of radio interference.

I'm trying the gasser because I thought it would be more stable in wind (heavy...) and more accessible fuel. Just wish it didn't smell so much.

...I can give more details or pics if it would help...

anyways,

I don't have a good book on gassers (I have all the MHT issues, and Ray's 3rd edition for glow stuff). Any suggestions? Alot of my questions are pretty basic...

Without the engine running, I hear balls (bearings) racing around when the heli is moved around. Is this normal?

The starter seems like "dead weight" once the heli is in the air. Can you modify the starter to come off?

The machine is smooth in a hover. No visible vibration, tracking is dead on, but bolts are loosening up around the engine! I'm in the process of "re-locktite" -ing everything. Is vibration this severe common for gassers? There is a good chance that no locktite was used to start with...

Do you set the mix (like with a glow engine) at all, or just the fuel/oil ratio? What is a quick and dirty way to set the mix?

I wound up the receiver antenae at the front of the bird (keep it away from the spark plug)...was this wise?

The machine seems to be leaking. There is a gas puddle after a run, and always after filling the tank. The plumming requires disconnecting a hose in order to fill. I was planing on using Prather med (pink stuff) and a t-valve, like on my glow birds...bad idea? Can I ever use a container or fuel pump for glow fuel that had tasted gas in the past?