Engine run problems, please help
06-26-2007 | 07:38 PM
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From: sherwood,
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Engine run problems, please help
Been flying less then a year. Got an alpha 40 as my next plane and put a brand new thunger tiger pro 46 in it. I broke it in at a varied half throttle through 2 tanks. I can get the engine to idle good and have actually gotten a few flights on it. Then it started. Last time I flew (3 flights) I could get it in the air and the engine seemed to die at about the same time in flight. only about 3 or 4 minutes each time. I think it is to lean. I did a ground run on it to were it is really making power and then went out 2 more clicks. Hope that fixes that. Now it will run but then it starts to cut out and die a few seconds after i get to full power and I can see air bubbles going through the fuel line right before it happens. Tank is full by the way. Seems to run fine at mid throttle and idle, and seems to transition pretty good through the whole throttle range. Do I need to change out the fuel line or should I be looking at a problem with the tank? Or for that matter some where else. Dealing with these engines makes me want to go electric now or just quit. Any help would be appreciated.
06-26-2007 | 07:43 PM
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RE: Engine run problems, please help
From your description of your problems I would say that you have issues with your fuel tank. I would pull the tank out and check to see if you have any air leaks in the tank. Also check that your fuel pickup line inside of the tank is intact and has no holes in it. Lastly, check your fuel line to the carb to make sure it doesn't have any pinholes in it as well.
Hope this helps
Ken
Hope this helps
Ken
06-26-2007 | 07:45 PM
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From: Rockwall TX
RE: Engine run problems, please help
Hi wildbill,
First thing I would like to say, do not give up, this hobby needs patience, perseverence, persistence, which I'm sure you have. My very short experience which I learned at the field and learned from senior people over here. Check your fuel lines, either it's taking air, check your fuel tank as well as inside line of fuel tank which is attached to the clunk. Also check whether your engine is running too lean, check on ground is must, ofcourse transition as well, do you check your plane by lifting it nose up? nearly 35 degrees, when you lift the nose up how engine reacts? does it tend to get slow, or runs with same rpm then slightly increases, if that so, then engine seems to be ok, and Im sure glow plug is new as well? Try to run pinch test on it too if you can. I hope your problem would be solved, as many experts would give you good advices about your problem, but never back yourself off and give up. There is always a solution and hope. Good Luck
Mody
First thing I would like to say, do not give up, this hobby needs patience, perseverence, persistence, which I'm sure you have. My very short experience which I learned at the field and learned from senior people over here. Check your fuel lines, either it's taking air, check your fuel tank as well as inside line of fuel tank which is attached to the clunk. Also check whether your engine is running too lean, check on ground is must, ofcourse transition as well, do you check your plane by lifting it nose up? nearly 35 degrees, when you lift the nose up how engine reacts? does it tend to get slow, or runs with same rpm then slightly increases, if that so, then engine seems to be ok, and Im sure glow plug is new as well? Try to run pinch test on it too if you can. I hope your problem would be solved, as many experts would give you good advices about your problem, but never back yourself off and give up. There is always a solution and hope. Good Luck
Mody
06-26-2007 | 07:49 PM
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From: Hamilton,
OH
RE: Engine run problems, please help
ORIGINAL: WildBillKelso
Been flying less then a year. Got an alpha 40 as my next plane and put a brand new thunger tiger pro 46 in it. I broke it in at a varied half throttle through 2 tanks. I can get the engine to idle good and have actually gotten a few flights on it. Then it started. Last time I flew (3 flights) I could get it in the air and the engine seemed to die at about the same time in flight. only about 3 or 4 minutes each time. I think it is to lean. I did a ground run on it to were it is really making power and then went out 2 more clicks. Hope that fixes that. Now it will run but then it starts to cut out and die a few seconds after i get to full power and I can see air bubbles going through the fuel line right before it happens. Tank is full by the way. Seems to run fine at mid throttle and idle, and seems to transition pretty good through the whole throttle range. Do I need to change out the fuel line or should I be looking at a problem with the tank? Or for that matter some where else. Dealing with these engines makes me want to go electric now or just quit. Any help would be appreciated.
Been flying less then a year. Got an alpha 40 as my next plane and put a brand new thunger tiger pro 46 in it. I broke it in at a varied half throttle through 2 tanks. I can get the engine to idle good and have actually gotten a few flights on it. Then it started. Last time I flew (3 flights) I could get it in the air and the engine seemed to die at about the same time in flight. only about 3 or 4 minutes each time. I think it is to lean. I did a ground run on it to were it is really making power and then went out 2 more clicks. Hope that fixes that. Now it will run but then it starts to cut out and die a few seconds after i get to full power and I can see air bubbles going through the fuel line right before it happens. Tank is full by the way. Seems to run fine at mid throttle and idle, and seems to transition pretty good through the whole throttle range. Do I need to change out the fuel line or should I be looking at a problem with the tank? Or for that matter some where else. Dealing with these engines makes me want to go electric now or just quit. Any help would be appreciated.
As Ken said but alos with the concern of the airbubbles.... do you have the fuel tank wrapped in foam to prevent vibration, which creates bubbles. Just had a guy with the same issue you are talking about on his Spitfire and he just spent tons of money on other items such as glow drivers and blah blah blah blah, but the problem was the same and come to find out he forgot to pad up the fuel tank. Tons of air bubble into the line. Just my another thought.
06-26-2007 | 07:54 PM
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From: sherwood,
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RE: Engine run problems, please help
This arrow 40 kit seems to have a tight fit with the fuel tank in the plane. So I dont think it would be vibration. But if I can not find any thing with the tank will give the foam a try. thanks
06-26-2007 | 08:00 PM
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From: Hamilton,
OH
RE: Engine run problems, please help
ORIGINAL: WildBillKelso
This arrow 40 kit seems to have a tight fit with the fuel tank in the plane. So I dont think it would be vibration. But if I can not find any thing with the tank will give the foam a try. thanks
This arrow 40 kit seems to have a tight fit with the fuel tank in the plane. So I dont think it would be vibration. But if I can not find any thing with the tank will give the foam a try. thanks
06-26-2007 | 09:57 PM
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RE: Engine run problems, please help
A lot of planes have their tanks firmly wedged in place by their bulkheads. While not ideal they seem to work fine. Best bet is to replace the feed lines inside and outside the tank. Does that engine have a remote needle? Check it for air leaks.
06-27-2007 | 07:02 AM
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RE: Engine run problems, please help
One thing that I noticed is that the fuel says it has a "non-foaming" additive. I don't know how much of that is marketing babble or if it actually makes a difference. Comments?
06-27-2007 | 07:25 AM
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From: Mississauga,
ON, CANADA
RE: Engine run problems, please help
ORIGINAL: WildBillKelso
Been flying less then a year. Got an alpha 40 as my next plane and put a brand new thunger tiger pro 46 in it. I broke it in at a varied half throttle through 2 tanks. I can get the engine to idle good and have actually gotten a few flights on it. Then it started. Last time I flew (3 flights) I could get it in the air and the engine seemed to die at about the same time in flight. only about 3 or 4 minutes each time. I think it is to lean. I did a ground run on it to were it is really making power and then went out 2 more clicks. Hope that fixes that. Now it will run but then it starts to cut out and die a few seconds after i get to full power and I can see air bubbles going through the fuel line right before it happens. Tank is full by the way. Seems to run fine at mid throttle and idle, and seems to transition pretty good through the whole throttle range. Do I need to change out the fuel line or should I be looking at a problem with the tank? Or for that matter some where else. Dealing with these engines makes me want to go electric now or just quit. Any help would be appreciated.
Been flying less then a year. Got an alpha 40 as my next plane and put a brand new thunger tiger pro 46 in it. I broke it in at a varied half throttle through 2 tanks. I can get the engine to idle good and have actually gotten a few flights on it. Then it started. Last time I flew (3 flights) I could get it in the air and the engine seemed to die at about the same time in flight. only about 3 or 4 minutes each time. I think it is to lean. I did a ground run on it to were it is really making power and then went out 2 more clicks. Hope that fixes that. Now it will run but then it starts to cut out and die a few seconds after i get to full power and I can see air bubbles going through the fuel line right before it happens. Tank is full by the way. Seems to run fine at mid throttle and idle, and seems to transition pretty good through the whole throttle range. Do I need to change out the fuel line or should I be looking at a problem with the tank? Or for that matter some where else. Dealing with these engines makes me want to go electric now or just quit. Any help would be appreciated.
The problem was with the fuel lines. I would make sure that they are clean with out any obstructions. If you are using a filter, make sure that there is not a hairball in the filter that is starving the engine for fuel. (That was what my problem was.).
Try removing the needle then blow into the back pressure line (the one attached to the muffler) you should get a good spray of fuel with little effort. If you have trouble getting fuel out, or it take a hard blow to get it out , you may have a blockage in the lines.
Good luck
06-27-2007 | 11:38 AM
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From: miami, FL
RE: Engine run problems, please help
its your remote needle. it leaks all the time on TT pro 46 engines. What i do is put a piece of fuel tubing over the needle to prevent air from leaking. My TT pro 46 runs great!
06-28-2007 | 09:42 AM
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From: Jonesboro, GA
RE: Engine run problems, please help
I know this may be WAAAAAY too simple, but I had the exact same problem with an Alpha 40 running the kit included Evo engine. I replaced the glo plug, pulled the tank, checked all my fuel lines, clunk, blah, blah, blah. How old is your fuel? Methanol attracts moisture. If your fuel has any age on it, especially if you are getting close to the bottom of a gallon and it has been exposed to heat, say at the field, moisture droplets will condense inside the fuel container and literally water down your go juice. If you haven't found a fix yet, try a new gallon of fuel.
I'm very new to the sport, but just something that I have picked up so far. Hope it helps!
I'm very new to the sport, but just something that I have picked up so far. Hope it helps!
