Gas Engine Help

I have a DL50 that probably has 5 or 6 gallons through it. Love the engine. Runs great and strong. Normally easy to start.

I have a problem I now think may be related to dirty fuel. Some points.

Fuel mixed in jerry jug maybe 5 months ago. Redline synthetic 50 to 1.
Ran plane for an afternoon of flying. Ran great, no issues. Next day out, maybe 3 days later, I noticed fuel coming from the carb while filling the tank. Never noticed this before. She was floaded when I went to start or on the stand. Ignition off, full throttle, several flips to clear her out and then she started and ran great.

Next day out, maybe 2 days later. Same floading issue. Take plug out and she tries to fire up on first flip, but does not run. Flips after that have no result. Take plug out again, same thing on first flip, nothing after.

Take carb apart, blow out with air. Notice some small black particle come out into cloth used to hold carb. Reassemble. She will start on first flip and run. Adjusted high and low needles. Shut off. Will not restart. Take plug out. Starts on first flip. Repeated for pattern. If first flip starts her fine, she runs. If not, she will not start and other flips do nothing.

Take carb off again. Blow out. Notice some of the gasket starting to flake off. Change diaphragm, gaskets, fuel hose, tank. Change fuel set up from 2 line system; vent and line to engine with “T” for filling. New system is 3 line system, vent, straight to engine and fill line. Change fuel in jug, and fueling hoses. Filter old fuel thru coffee filter and find particles. Filter new fuel through coffee filter and mix in oil.

Fuel jug has filter down stream from pump. Plane has fuel filter in fill line.

Reassemble. Engine starts on first flip and runs. Low end needed to be only about ½ turn out to get rid of gurgle except at idle. Ran well. At first was able to get her to restart if she did not start on first flip. But again had problems if not started within a few flips. Would need to take out plug, not wet, then start on first flip.

Head temps seem normal; around 200. 300 and change by muffler.

It seems the low needle is turned in a lot from factory settings. Run near sea level in 90 degree heat, with humidity near the temperature (Abaco Bahamas).


Any suggestions on what I could do? Perhaps soak carb in carb cleaner? Pass small wire thru jets? B Does this sound like a dirty fuel problem?

Any help would be appreciated.