Hey everyone, another newbie question...I have a pt40 just about set up. Batteries are in, servos are responding etc; etc; I am now at the point where I would like to try and start the engine up to see how it is working. The compression still seems great, new glow plug and some fuel. My question is, I don't have a battery powered starter. I have a battery for the charger unit, but dont want to have to spend the money on it if I don't have to. How do I get it started without one? I have heard to try using dowel stick, but it doesn't seem to turn it over at all. I am also not sure if I am doing correctly...

Are there any tips or tutorials on this?

I'll let the engine experts handle this question, but for now, don't force the engine to turn over if it dosen't want to, you could break or bend the piston rod.

I'm sure there are good written instructions on someone's site, but I'll say a couple things.

You have a glow igniter, right? It connects to the glow plug and heats it so the engine will fire.

You don't have a starter, so you're probably going to get frustrated after a while. Unless you've run these engines, and have your's set correctly, hand starting can be a real pain in the butt.

If you haven't set the high speed needle, turn it all the way in, carefully! If you tighten it you can ruin it. Back it out counter-clockwise to somewhere between 1 & 1/2 to 2 & 1/2 turns. Every engine is different.

Now with the carb open, put a finger over the muffler outlet and turn the engine over (counter-clockwise from the front), and watch the fuel line leading to the carb. You should see the fuel come up the line and into the carb, or you'll hear a "wet" sound and might see a bit of fuel spit out the carb. Trun the engine a couple more times, but not more than a couple. Some people do this process with a finger over the carb, but I find the muffler easier.

With the throttle set at no more than 1/4, connect the glow igniter to the plug and flip the prop counter-clockwise (looking at it from the front). If you flip it over 10 or more times and it hasn't sputtered, you may need to reset the needle valve or prime it again. (Finger over the muffler.) If it "popped" a couple of times, then the needle is probably okay, but you may need another little prime.

You might get lucky and get it started within a half dozen flips. It could also take a hundred and six flips.

Also, too much priming can flood the engine and cause it to "lock up" (hydrolock). Basically too much fuel in the cylinder and it can not be compressed. Sometimes you can clear the excess fuel by tipping the plane so the muffler is pointed down, otherwise you must remove the glow plug and turn the engine over (flip the prop) to get the fuel to blow out the plug hole.

I'd highly recommend getting a starter. I've seen them go on eBay, or at auctions or flea markets for $20 or less, and I think you'll find one more than worth the price.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Dennis-

Thanks for the replies...I guess you might be right dennis, I will probably save myself alot of time and frustration by just getting an electric starter. I have had experience with a savage truck .25 glow engine, so I know a little bit about how they work, but I wasn't sure how one could start an airplane engine just by spinning the prop. Didn't seem like enough "help" to turn it over
THanks for the tips and I'll let ya know how it goes.

Turbine2, you can certainly try flipping the prop with a stick before going out and getting a starter. As Dennis said, all engines are different, but many of them will start easily with a flip of the prop.

I would like to say first I've never actually tried this and not sure how it would work. For stubborn engines, you could use ether. I use this stuff called Quick Start. Now, I've only ever used this on my old 67 mustang and a lawn mower. It works awesome though. Two problems I for see. One it only takes a small amount sprayed into the carburetor of a full size car. you'd have to get a small small amount in the planes carb. Second, not sure how the glow plug will react to it. It may burn the ether off before you can flip the prop. I don't have any stubborn engine right now, but I'll let you know if I ever try it.