Hello.

I've just bought a MVVS .45 engine second hand from a fellow flyer..allegedly he has only used the engine for two flights and then quit, having recently changed from flying fixed-wings to helis. I've fitted it on my 1st ever plane..an RCM Trainer 40. As the engine comes with a tuned pipe rather than a muffler..at 1st, I was a bit worried, thought the engine was too overpowered for my trainer. However, after my maiden flight last weekend..it seems to be alright, after all, a bit more power doesnt hurt when i need it, does it?

anyway, that is not the problem..the problem I'm having is that the engine does not seem to be tuned right..for prior to takeoff, when I'm 'heating up' the engine, the engine dies quite a lot of times whenever I throttle up and down...it just revs up..and dies. My instructor would normally then fiddle with the needle, find the most suitable mixture and once the engine is running nice (kinda, it still sputters a little bit)...takeoffs. he would then hand me the controls, I'd fly around for a couple of minutes..and then more often than not, I'd get a deadstick before it's time to land. lucky for me, the plane glides so well. =)

subsequently, I cleaned the carb..then borrowed a Rossi plug from a friend..after which the engine seems to be a little bit better, but not much. i still got a deadstick after that. my instructor has told me that the engine has not been properly broken-in yet, since the previous owner used it so seldomly and then let it sit for such a long time. my instructor said that it would take at least 2 gallons of fuel before the engine would perform & run normally. i'm running a 0% fuel.

someone on the RCU forums has suggested to me that the problem occurs because I have mounted the engine upright, making the fuel tank position too low in relation to the engine. he suggested that it be mounted sideways instead.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_54...tm.htm#5518928

could this be the possible cause of my engine problems? the thing is, the only way i can mount the engine sideways is by cutting the nose part of the fuselage a little bit, and I'd hate to do this. hehe..see the attached pic.

can anyone help me with this? its really beginning to put the fun out of flying..having to deal with an engine that keeps dying on me. does this problem occur in all MVVS engines..or is this an isolated case?and if so..what is the solution?