Hi all,
I just got the new OS engine .46AX. I tried starting it with the TorqueMaster 90 and there doesn't seem to be enough torque to turn the engine over past the tight area at the top of the stroke. The engine manual states the the tightness is normal, since the gaps are optimized at operating temperature. I can turn it over by hand, but the starter just can't do it.

Has anyone had this problem before? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
JJ

I have that starter and that engine and it works fine for me.

When you get ready to start, turn the prop clockwise until you hit the tight area. Then use your starter. The first 1/4 turn without any resistance should give your starter enough of a resistance free turn to get it fired up.

Make sure it's not flooded, is the starter battery full charged?

Sounds like your starter motor battery needs charged.

Try taking the glow plug out and turn the engine over some with the starter, then put the plug back in and try it again paying attention to what was said before about checking for flooding. ENJOY !!! RED

If this is your first attempt at glow engines you might ask some hands on assistance by a club member.
These engines are quite powerfull and can bite you in a heartbeat.
With the assumption you're totally new to this, I write these pointers... Please don't be offended, I don't think you're stupid, but someimes a few basic advice can be good.

-Make sure the engine is bolted securly onto something rigid. If installed in a plane, teather the plane to something with a rope.
-A common mistake is to reach "through" the prop arc attempting to reach the needle setup.
-If you get the engine to crank, get behind it before revving it up and stay behind the prop, not infront of it.
-If the prop hits your hand, it wont take off your finger, but cut in to the bone and most likely give you a bad taste for glow engines.
-Use safety glasses. I once got a prop in my face and after that I always use 3M safety glasses when starting and adjusting engines.

As long as it's not flooded, start spinning the starter then put it on the spinner. I had to do that with my Evo 46 the first start of its life and it worked just fine.

here is a trick that is fairly common on rc car/truck engines (those things are REALLY tight before breakin, and if you are pulling with a pull starter the oneway will just slip) anyway, loosen the glowplug just enough to serve as a compression release. doesn't take much, and as soon as it is running you can tighten it back up.

I wouldn't recommend loosening the glow plug. It's too dangerous trying to re-tighten the plug just a couple of inches away from the spinning prop.

First things first. Make sure that your battery for your starter is fully charged. With a full charge you should be able to turn the motor over with no problems. If not, do as stated above and turn the motor clockwise until you get to the compression, then place the started motor on the spinner and try to start it.

If you are having this much problem turning it over it's a good chance that you have flooded the engine. It's important to prime the motor before starting, but too much fuel will make the motor hard to turn over (exactly what you are experiencing). A good technique for priming the motor is this. WITHOUT THE GLOW DRIVER ON THE MOTOR open the throttle completely open. Place your thumb over the air intake of the carburetor and turn over the motor by hand. Keep turning it over and watch as fuel is pulled up your fuel line. When the fuel reaches the carburetor give it 2 more turns, no more. Then take your thumb off the air intake and give it 3 more turns, no more. Bring the throttle back to idle, place the glow driver on the glow plug, and try to start the motor. It should turn over and start right away. BTW, I use this technique to prime my motors and they start almost immediately by hand flipping the motor with a chicken stick. I have an electric starter in my box and I almost never use it, except for cold flying days. I prefer to start my motors with a chicken stick.

Hope this helps

Ken