How long should a glow plug last?
03-18-2007 | 05:50 PM
#27
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From: Burlington,
OK
RE: How long should a glow plug last?
How long should a glow plug last?
Well as far as Im concerened they should last forever. But they don't. Ive had some last for a season or two, Ive had some last a flight or two, Ive had some last a minute or two, I think it all depends if the GloPlug fairy likes you or not.
Well as far as Im concerened they should last forever. But they don't. Ive had some last for a season or two, Ive had some last a flight or two, Ive had some last a minute or two, I think it all depends if the GloPlug fairy likes you or not.
03-18-2007 | 05:56 PM
#28
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From: Corona, CA
RE: How long should a glow plug last?
ORIGINAL: 191557
I think it all depends if the GloPlug fairy likes you or not.
I think it all depends if the GloPlug fairy likes you or not.
We have one of these guys at our field too. I think he is a little feminine for a guy, but I wouldn't call him THAT...well, not to his face anyway. He might hit me with his purse.
Yay Vicodin!!
03-19-2007 | 12:07 PM
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From: Gatineau, QC, CANADA
RE: How long should a glow plug last?
ORIGINAL: piper_chuck
Running an engine too lean is probably the most common cause of early plug failure. Another cause could be having bits of metal in the engine. And yet another is turning the power panel glow driver knob too high. Follow these instructions to ensure you don't have your engine too lean:
Tuning – High speed needle
The following method is designed for sport flying where one wants reliable engine performance (minimum deadsticks) and long engine life (part of which comes from avoiding lean runs).
I’ll start off with a reminder that all needle adjustments should be done from behind the engine and that the plane should be firmly anchored or held. Never attempt to adjust the needle while holding the plane in the air. A small engine blip or wind gust could result in fingers in the prop.
Begin by gradually leaning the engine until you find the peak RPM. Once you find this, turn it several clicks rich. Once you’ve found this slightly rich setting, with a firm two handed grip on the plane, point the nose straight up. While you are doing this, remember to keep the propeller arc out of anyone’s face. When you raise the plane’s nose, one of three things will happen to the engine RPMs.
If the engine speeds up slightly and holds that speed for 10 to 15 seconds, pat yourself on the back (after you put the plane down), you’ve got the needle set pretty well.
If the engine slows down, or does not speed up a bit, it’s too lean. Lower it immediately, turn it a few clicks richer and try again.
If the engine speeds up significantly, it could probably be a bit leaner. Put it back down, set it a bit richer and try again.
That’s it, no magic…
Running an engine too lean is probably the most common cause of early plug failure. Another cause could be having bits of metal in the engine. And yet another is turning the power panel glow driver knob too high. Follow these instructions to ensure you don't have your engine too lean:
Tuning – High speed needle
The following method is designed for sport flying where one wants reliable engine performance (minimum deadsticks) and long engine life (part of which comes from avoiding lean runs).
I’ll start off with a reminder that all needle adjustments should be done from behind the engine and that the plane should be firmly anchored or held. Never attempt to adjust the needle while holding the plane in the air. A small engine blip or wind gust could result in fingers in the prop.
Begin by gradually leaning the engine until you find the peak RPM. Once you find this, turn it several clicks rich. Once you’ve found this slightly rich setting, with a firm two handed grip on the plane, point the nose straight up. While you are doing this, remember to keep the propeller arc out of anyone’s face. When you raise the plane’s nose, one of three things will happen to the engine RPMs.
If the engine speeds up slightly and holds that speed for 10 to 15 seconds, pat yourself on the back (after you put the plane down), you’ve got the needle set pretty well.
If the engine slows down, or does not speed up a bit, it’s too lean. Lower it immediately, turn it a few clicks richer and try again.
If the engine speeds up significantly, it could probably be a bit leaner. Put it back down, set it a bit richer and try again.
That’s it, no magic…
When you talk about leaning the engine or making it rich how would you accomplish this? I mean, which one hapens when I open the needle valve? Also, when doing the adjustments like that, at what speeds should I do it? Full throtle?
Thanks
Lydo
03-19-2007 | 04:41 PM
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From: Bloomington,
MN
RE: How long should a glow plug last?
ORIGINAL: lydo
When you talk about leaning the engine or making it rich how would you accomplish this? I mean, which one hapens when I open the needle valve? Also, when doing the adjustments like that, at what speeds should I do it? Full throtle?
Thanks
Lydo
When you talk about leaning the engine or making it rich how would you accomplish this? I mean, which one hapens when I open the needle valve? Also, when doing the adjustments like that, at what speeds should I do it? Full throtle?
Thanks
Lydo
The high-end needle is the big one. Most all of our carbs have high-end needles. As the name suggests, it controls the mixture at the high-end of the throttle settings. About the top 1/3. The rest is controlled by the low-end needle valve, or air-bleed valve on engines that don't have a low-end needle valve.
When you adjust your high-end needle, do it with the throttle all the way open. Start with the needle setting that your engine instructions specify. This is usually a rich setting. You make small adjustments to the needle, one or two clicks at a time. By click, I mean the clicking feeling that the ratchet on the needle provides.
Being too lean is very bad for the engine. Our glow engines get their lubricant with their fuel, so when you don't have much fuel you naturally don't have much lubricant. Being too rich isn't good either, as the engine may not reach it's designed operating temperatures.
The best way to get a feel for what all this really means is to apply it hands-on. Have your instructor go over the terms and then show you how to properly adjust an engine. Get some tips from other sources, too, and find out what works best in your own experience. A properly tuned engine is usually very reliable, and that makes the whole hobby less frustrating and more fun.
