This engine is new to me. When I first got it, it actually ran pretty good, but went downhill for somereason. Now, I can get it to start, but dies shortly after. It dies even with the glow starter on it. It acts like its too rich, in my opinion. I checked all my fuel lines, no problems there. I took out the glow plug, and it lights, but the fillament looks like it is a little deformed. Could this cause the problem? I wouldnt think so, but I dont know much either. Also, should this thing have a idle bar on the glow plug, or no? It has one on it now, but the one tower hobbies shows for it, has no idle bar. I honestly dont know what the purpose is. I'd appreciate any help guys. thanks!

trey

Also, I had seen a link posted here a while back about tuning an engine. Anyone happen to have that handy?

Annndddd... I searched on here, and found that engines run counter clockwise. After a long day of trying to start it, the prop nut came loose. I just wanted to check that I am indeed going the right way. If the threads are right hand, then it runs counter clockwise, and if they are left hand, clockwise, is this correct?

Wow, I have a lot to learn!

In my very limited experience, all my motors run counter- clockwise if you are facing the front of the motor.
They are all right hand threaded also, meaning, starting will tend to try to loosen the nut but once running motor torque will tend to try to tighten it.

Usually when an engine starts to misbehave there are two things to check. The first and easiest is to put in a new plug. Just because a plug glows with the battery doesn't mean it'll keep glowing without the battery and the way you said it seems to be running rich indicates the plug has gone bad and is acting like a very cold plug. It doesn't really matter if the plug has an idle bar or not so long as the heat range is OK. The second thing is to try some fresh fuel. Of course, if it's suddenly lost compression then it's a different ball game

All engines turn counter-clockwise from the front and all of them have a normal right hand thread for the prop nut. As Missileman said, the normal running torque of the engine tries to tighten the prop nut but when you use a starter then you're putting torque on to it in the other direction so the nut can come loose sometimes. A couple of times I've actually spun the prop loose when hand starting but that's because it was a wood prop and they compress a little bit when new and that loosens the nut.