I don't know whether you're trying to start a 2 or 4 stroke, or what size the engine is... but as a general rule... turn the needle valve fully CLOSED, then open it up about 2 and a half turns. Make sure you DO NOT have the glow starter connected to the plug. Hold your finger over the carb intake and turn the prop with the other hand until you see fuel coming through the line into the carb.

Make sure your transmitter and receiver are both powered ON now, and the throttle will respond to transmitter stick movement. Set the throttle no more than 1/4 open.

Now connect the glow adapter. If you're in a quite environment, you might start to hear the glow plug hissing mildly as it burns off fuel in the chamber.

If you're using an electric starter, make sure that you have the leads connected to the proper poles on the battery, otherwise you'll be trying to start the plane backwards. Now place the electric starter on the spinner and give it a few turns. You should hear a brand new engine kick over at this point.

If you're not using an electric starter, you might consider one, but you can rotate the prop counter clockwise (if you're in front of the propeller) until the compression stops the prop, then, using something other than your fingers, give it quick flip in the same counter clockwise direction. Doing a manual start, especially on a brand new engine, can be a frustrating process. Electric starters will pay for themselves by quickly eliminating the frustration you are feeling right now!


If your engine has an idle speed adjustment needle, hopefully you haven't adjusted it yet. If you have, try closing it fully, then back it off about 2 turns. This should give you a good enough starting point that the engine should start. Once its running and warm, you can throttle the plane down and use this needle (if necessary) to get a smooth idle. T

The other needle (the larger, main one) only manages fuel/air mixture at high speeds, so once the engine is running, with the glow plug adapter still connected, run the speed up and slowly close the needle valve until you get the HIGHEST rpm available, then back it off about 300-400 RPM (usually about 1/4 turn).

If you've tried all of these, and you probably have, you might want to look at the glow plug itself. Remove it with either a T-handle or if you must, a 7/16 wrench, connect the glow plug power to it, and place the side of the plug against the side of your engine. You should be able to see the filament glow red almost immediately. If it does, you have a good plug. If it doesn't, you may need a new one.

These are really very basic engines, even the 4 strokes, so there's not a lot of things to go wrong. Its generally either the needles, a dead battery or a bad glow plug. Since the engine's new, I assume you have good compression.

Hope this helps,
Mike R.