getting an old engine to run
09-07-2011 | 08:04 PM
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From: College Station, TX
getting an old engine to run
* Update - put a new glow plug in and she fired right up and is running fine. Thanks for all your help.
I've got an engine that has been sitting for years that I can't get started. It's an os .46, hardly broke in. Should I get a new glow plug? I built the plane years ago and gave it to my younger step brother because I was starting a family and had to prioritize my time. Well, now I have time but I can't get the thing to start. I'm a beginner in the hobby and need some help. - Chas
I've got an engine that has been sitting for years that I can't get started. It's an os .46, hardly broke in. Should I get a new glow plug? I built the plane years ago and gave it to my younger step brother because I was starting a family and had to prioritize my time. Well, now I have time but I can't get the thing to start. I'm a beginner in the hobby and need some help. - Chas
09-07-2011 | 08:41 PM
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From: OZark,
MO
RE: getting an old engine to run
Aggie94,
Well there are a FEW things to do.
NEw tank lines IN and OUT and a new rubber plug.
Pull the back plate off the engine and inspect for rust on the crank and around the bearings. IF ANY rust on the bearings replace em before running.( you can run em rusty but its HARD on the hole engine) the crank can be cleaned up.
New o rings under the carb and needle valve. flush fuel thru the needle valve by blowing in the exhaust line while the needle valve is out.
Reassemble, USE FRESH FUEL and good luck.
This is basically the same procedure for reviving one thats been lost post crash for prolonged period of time. Redid a brand spankin new one after a student lost it while "taxiing".
We were not watching and he got spunky and went for it. No one saw where he crashed and he quit trying to fly it once it was out of site. someone found it while looking for a different plane, two years later. It worked fine.
Well there are a FEW things to do.
NEw tank lines IN and OUT and a new rubber plug.
Pull the back plate off the engine and inspect for rust on the crank and around the bearings. IF ANY rust on the bearings replace em before running.( you can run em rusty but its HARD on the hole engine) the crank can be cleaned up.
New o rings under the carb and needle valve. flush fuel thru the needle valve by blowing in the exhaust line while the needle valve is out.
Reassemble, USE FRESH FUEL and good luck.
This is basically the same procedure for reviving one thats been lost post crash for prolonged period of time. Redid a brand spankin new one after a student lost it while "taxiing".
We were not watching and he got spunky and went for it. No one saw where he crashed and he quit trying to fly it once it was out of site. someone found it while looking for a different plane, two years later. It worked fine.
09-08-2011 | 03:37 AM
#3
RE: getting an old engine to run
You have a nice club in your area. Go check them out. I've been by there a few times when my son was going to A&M. Someone there will be able to give you pointers on care and feeding of glow engines and flight instruction.
Edwin
Edwin
09-08-2011 | 04:02 AM
#4
RE: getting an old engine to run
Does it turn over all-right?
To run it needs fuel and a well glowing glowplug. Even "poor" plugs usually work while the power is on, but will shut down when the power is removed (assuming it isn't broken but just lost its catalytic ability). The new battery driven glowdrivers have to be absolutely fully charged to provide enough juice to fire up an engine that is flooded.
You can prime the side of the piston with the muffler off, and no fuel connected, just to see that you get it to fire. Then repeat with the tank hooked up (you can use an external fresh one if needed) and it should keep running.
To run it needs fuel and a well glowing glowplug. Even "poor" plugs usually work while the power is on, but will shut down when the power is removed (assuming it isn't broken but just lost its catalytic ability). The new battery driven glowdrivers have to be absolutely fully charged to provide enough juice to fire up an engine that is flooded.
You can prime the side of the piston with the muffler off, and no fuel connected, just to see that you get it to fire. Then repeat with the tank hooked up (you can use an external fresh one if needed) and it should keep running.
09-08-2011 | 06:04 AM
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From: College Station, TX
RE: getting an old engine to run
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll give them a try and let you know how it goes. Edwin - I will start getting to the club again soon, I wanted to have things running by then. Great that your son went to A&M too. Fantastic school. Gig 'em
09-08-2011 | 08:42 AM
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From: Poolesville, MD
RE: getting an old engine to run
Actually if you see what appears to be rust in the bearing area, do NOT assume you have to replace them.
I find that a good healthy amount of "Dawn Power Dissolver" squirted into the engine works wonders.
Remove the carb, muffler, glow plug and backplate and squirt Dissolver into the engine
Let it sit for about 8 minutes then flush the engine with water.
Repeat, and take a small epoxy brush with some more Dissolver to try to loosen any remaining reddish areas you may see inside the engine.
Flush again with hot water, shake out all the water you can, then flush the water out with WD40, followed by glow fuel.
Then turn the engine over without the plug in place.
Then if you feel any "grittiness" replace the bearings. If the engine seems to turn over very smoothly without any hint of grittiness, crank it over with a starter for a bit and check again. If it still feels good, then put it back together and start it up.
I've now taken well over 10 engines that people have tossed out, and run them through the above.
They have all been flying nicely, donated to club trainers and newbies just getting into the hobby.
I just did an old OS FP60 this way three weeks ago and I already have 8 flights on the trainer it now sits in.
I find that a good healthy amount of "Dawn Power Dissolver" squirted into the engine works wonders.
Remove the carb, muffler, glow plug and backplate and squirt Dissolver into the engine
Let it sit for about 8 minutes then flush the engine with water.
Repeat, and take a small epoxy brush with some more Dissolver to try to loosen any remaining reddish areas you may see inside the engine.
Flush again with hot water, shake out all the water you can, then flush the water out with WD40, followed by glow fuel.
Then turn the engine over without the plug in place.
Then if you feel any "grittiness" replace the bearings. If the engine seems to turn over very smoothly without any hint of grittiness, crank it over with a starter for a bit and check again. If it still feels good, then put it back together and start it up.
I've now taken well over 10 engines that people have tossed out, and run them through the above.
They have all been flying nicely, donated to club trainers and newbies just getting into the hobby.
I just did an old OS FP60 this way three weeks ago and I already have 8 flights on the trainer it now sits in.
09-08-2011 | 09:55 AM
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From: OZark,
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RE: getting an old engine to run
ORIGINAL: opjose
Actually if you see what appears to be rust in the bearing area, do NOT assume you have to replace them.
I find that a good healthy amount of ''Dawn Power Dissolver'' squirted into the engine works wonders.
Remove the carb, muffler, glow plug and backplate and squirt Dissolver into the engine
Let it sit for about 8 minutes then flush the engine with water.
Repeat, and take a small epoxy brush with some more Dissolver to try to loosen any remaining reddish areas you may see inside the engine.
Flush again with hot water, shake out all the water you can, then flush the water out with WD40, followed by glow fuel.
Then turn the engine over without the plug in place.
Then if you feel any ''grittiness'' replace the bearings. If the engine seems to turn over very smoothly without any hint of grittiness, crank it over with a starter for a bit and check again. If it still feels good, then put it back together and start it up.
I've now taken well over 10 engines that people have tossed out, and run them through the above.
They have all been flying nicely, donated to club trainers and newbies just getting into the hobby.
I just did an old OS FP60 this way three weeks ago and I already have 8 flights on the trainer it now sits in.
Actually if you see what appears to be rust in the bearing area, do NOT assume you have to replace them.
I find that a good healthy amount of ''Dawn Power Dissolver'' squirted into the engine works wonders.
Remove the carb, muffler, glow plug and backplate and squirt Dissolver into the engine
Let it sit for about 8 minutes then flush the engine with water.
Repeat, and take a small epoxy brush with some more Dissolver to try to loosen any remaining reddish areas you may see inside the engine.
Flush again with hot water, shake out all the water you can, then flush the water out with WD40, followed by glow fuel.
Then turn the engine over without the plug in place.
Then if you feel any ''grittiness'' replace the bearings. If the engine seems to turn over very smoothly without any hint of grittiness, crank it over with a starter for a bit and check again. If it still feels good, then put it back together and start it up.
I've now taken well over 10 engines that people have tossed out, and run them through the above.
They have all been flying nicely, donated to club trainers and newbies just getting into the hobby.
I just did an old OS FP60 this way three weeks ago and I already have 8 flights on the trainer it now sits in.
09-08-2011 | 10:26 AM
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From: Poolesville, MD
RE: getting an old engine to run
Sometimes the engines will develop a very light rusty looking film.
Power Dissolver pretty much eliminates it, removing the light rust.
To make sure there is no scoring of the raceways or ball bearings, you should turn the engine over after the process, and listen/feel for any grittiness. If there is any, the bearings should be changed as they are indeed too rusted and likely scored and pitted by the rust.
However if everything feels smooth, there is no need to. Just carefully check the engine movement.
At worst you'll loose the time spent doing this, but you may just find your engine runs fine without having to do more.
I have a few engines that have been running fine for years now after doing the above, even though I thought the bearings were going to be too rusted to work...
I've been afraid to try Naval Jelly as it is so aggressive attacking rust...
Power Dissolver pretty much eliminates it, removing the light rust.
To make sure there is no scoring of the raceways or ball bearings, you should turn the engine over after the process, and listen/feel for any grittiness. If there is any, the bearings should be changed as they are indeed too rusted and likely scored and pitted by the rust.
However if everything feels smooth, there is no need to. Just carefully check the engine movement.
At worst you'll loose the time spent doing this, but you may just find your engine runs fine without having to do more.
I have a few engines that have been running fine for years now after doing the above, even though I thought the bearings were going to be too rusted to work...
I've been afraid to try Naval Jelly as it is so aggressive attacking rust...
