I went to the field yesterday to fly for a few hours due to bright, sunny skies and no wind. I cranked up the TT .46 pro and tuned the high end for the heat (~92 and humid). However, I did notice that when I first start the engine and remove the glow plug the idle goes down significantly. It doesn't die but goes down a fair amount (you can definitely hear it). I believe it's the low end needle tuned slightly off but I'm not sure exactly how to fix it. (turn the screw to adjust.... I know) but I'd rather ask and educate myself here than mess around for too long out there.

Thanks!

John

The glow igniter test is actually a good way to get the low speed needle in the right ball park. If the idle slows considerably when you remove the glow igniter, the low speed mixture is too rich. I usually adjust mine so it slows a tiny bit when I remove the igniter. Once that's done I check for a nice long idle and good transition after that.

Got it, thanks alot!

John

G'day Mate,
Also check your Glow Plug, as they begin to wear out, a decrease in revs when the glow clip is removed, can be a sign that the plug is nearing it's use by date. check to see if the element is white instead of nice & shiney, if it is white, replace it.
Good Flyin Mate.
Allan.

Also, make sure you run the engine up to full throttle for a few seconds before you remove the glow igniter. Excess fuel can build up in the exhaust system during starting. This fuel must be cleared out, or it can be drawn back into the engine during the down stroke. This may give an appearance of a rich low end when you remove the glow starter.

Brad

Allan,
Thanks for the advice, but I replaced the glow plug the last time I was out flying. I attached the glow clip, almost got her going and then it just quit (the clip, I mean). Usually I can hear a high pitched buzz when the ignitor is lit but that stopped and the motor would not start. I fiddled for about 15 minutes before I thought to check the glow plug.... black and burned out so I replaced it and she fired up like brand new. Thanks for the tip though!

Brad,
I didn't know about that, I'll make sure and run the motor up next time before removing the clip. I usually start it up, let it idle for about 20 seconds to make sure its going well and then remove the clip. Then I start powering up and down to check tuning.

Thanks for the tips guys!

John

One thing that can burn out a plug is over-driving it with the power panel (you mentioned the buzz so I presume you use a power panel). Over-driving them makes them glow much hotter which is better suited to running at idle and gives a drop in revs when you turn off the power so this may explain both the burnt out plug and the drop in revs. Try to set the power to the minimum needed for a fast start.