HELP - Not as far up the learning curve as I thought. Today had a bad few flights with low rpm and rough running. Started from last run settings, engine fired from cold on hand flip. After start it missed a bit then ran continuous but at only 7300 rpm, 10x6 TF power point prop, Aerodyne fuel. I tried to lean until miss than backed off 1/8 turn. Since it started cold from the last run setting I backed out the compression 1/8 turn but noticed power drop, figured it was still warming so off I went. In the air it never got better, lots of vibration - so much that the lines looked like plucked guitar strings. After flight I looked at the oil and it was a darkish brown, just about were I though it should be. On the second flight I switched to an APC 9x7 thinking maybe it was happy and just need more pitch to pick up the lap time - WRONG! Things were going down hill. Oil still looked great. On the third flight I went back to the 10x6, I thought it was a little lose on the first flight being wood and this prop worked well last week. Start was great, I went in on the compression just a hair, it was still running rough but better. Off I go and about 2 laps in it came on and smoothed out, I though I had it but as soon as I pulled the nose up for the climb it went rough and stayed for the rest of the flight. The soccer kids arrived at the field we use and we were done for the day.

OK, what did I miss? I thought that if it fired on a hand flip that once started you would need to back-out the compression to get the right run conditions. I also thought that you had it right if the oil came out dark honey brown not black.


Thanks..