engine start tips
 

Masters,

Hope all these basic question don't bodder you guys, but here it comes.
I started my evolution 0.46 engine yesterday night for the first time and was not that quick as I expected.I had to use the starter for 10 times, each time about 3 seconds. Is that what supprose to be?
I used the glow heatting all time with 3 to 4 amps and also sticked my finger in the carb and turned the engine to feed gas 2 or 3 times.
Is there any tip about starting engines?

How you guys stop the engine?I had to remove the fuel tube!

Thanks,

Nilo

RE: engine start tips
 

Nilo,
First starting, (not being a smart a** here) read the instructions that came with the engine. THEN, if it won't go, finger over carb, or muffler (it will do the same thing), and watch for fuel to go through the line to the carb, 3-4 flips should do it. Give it a couple more without the finger, and without the glow igniter. Then open the throttle 'til you see a little opening in the carb, (1/8th of the total opening should do) hook up your heat, and hit it with the starter. It should go. I have one of these, and it's been a good engine.
If you are over priming, it will backfire, or kick, and if you are under priming, it will just grind for awhile, then catch.
Keep asking, that's what the begginers forum is for!!
As for stopping, two thing you can do, 1. cut the throttle, and trim all the wa- it should quit. 2. Pull the fuel line. 3. in case all else fails, throw a rag into the prop.

Jetts

RE: engine start tips
 

Thanks jetts,

I read the engine manual and followed it, but you know, practical tips are always valuable!
Thanks for yours!

Nilo

RE: engine start tips
 

Nilo,

Absolutely no problem, let me know what happens, and if need be I (we) can give you more.
Also, the engine will start easier after it has been run some. When you run the starter, try just putting it on the spinner, and hit the button, after it starts to turn, pull it off. If you have the throttle set low, it may want to start but the starter actually holds it back.

Jetts

RE: engine start tips
 

Please don't throw a rag, or anything else into a spinning prop. The prop can break throwing fragments all over the place, and if you happen to be in the wrong spot, at you. Even if it doesn't immediately break the prop, it's applying severe stress to it, which could cause it to fail at some other time.

If closing the throttle and throttle trim doesn't kill the engine, you need to re-adjust the linkage. Throttle all the way back, but trim forward should give you a decent idle. Pulling trim all the way back should close the carb.

Worst case, (carefully) squeeze the line to the carb closed and hold it. The engine will starve and quit within a few seconds.

Jetts' advice for starting is good. You haven't been playing with needle valves have you? Covering the carb (or muffler) to prime the engine normally shouldn't have to be done more than once per tank. If you're doing it repeatedly, you may be flooding the engine.

If it's starting, running for a couple seconds, then quitting; I'm inclined to think your throttle needs to be open a bit more.

RE: engine start tips
 

I know my engines are harder to start the first time when I go flying especially if it has been a week or more. But after they have been started then after that they fire up a lot easer the rest of the day. Also some new engines take a while before they are easy to start. Everyone has given' you some good advice, don't worry, like anything, sometimes it just takes time then it's easy.

Bill

RE: engine start tips
 

i have one of those same engines. it really is a screamer. as far as getting it started it took me some needle valve adjustments and than i have not had to adjust it since. as far as shutting down i just pinch the fuel line and advance throttle. it works for me

RE: engine start tips
 

Using a rag to stop an engine causes no problems either to the engine or the prop. This used to be quite a sport with CL models if the engine had a bad run, there's no other way to stop it short of crashing. Usually though the darn thing would run out of fuel before your aim got good enough :D

This of course was at full throttle and not even wood, plastic or nylon props ever broke. Although at first sight it seems like a bad idea, LONG experience at doing this shows it's quite safe. The main thing is that you let go of the rag before it gets to the prop :)

RE: engine start tips
 

Another way to stop the engine is to put your finger over the exhaust outlet (or use a rag over your finger if it's too hot. It floods the engine and kills it. Best done at idle. However, I think the fuel line methods are better for the engine.

Some engines like a "wetter" prime than others, where you cover the carb or muffler outlet and turn 4-5 times after fuel reaches the carb. Others seem to like just a little fuel, 1-2 turns. and it may change as the engine breaks in. So experiment with the amount of prime you give it.

Oh, when priming, set for full throttle, then cover the carb or exhaust and turn. Then back to a fast idle setting for starting.

If you find yourself using the starter a lot, for extended runs, you are usually under-primed. Though it's possible it's totally flooded. If you think it might be flooded, tipping the engine to allow fuel to run out of the muffler and carb works well. As does removing the fuel line and turning it over by hand or with the starter. Be careful with the starter if you think it's flooded, you can damage the engine. It's rare, but does happen. Sometimes if it's flooded, and you are cranking on the starter, you'll see raw fuel coming out the exhaust.

Some Evo engines are tighter than others, and will actually start easier by hand than with a starter. One of my students has an engine is like that. The engine backfires with the starter, or the starter slows the engine as mentioned above (and the prop comes off a lot with the electric because of the kicks). But the chicken stick gives it just the right push to get started.

RE: engine start tips
 

You know what? I'm already liking this RC world because it seems to be a very friendly enviroment and with all feedback we have, there are so many diferent points of view that we can combine all and come up with a very good conclusion.
Yesterday I called the local club here looking forward to became a member and to get trainning classes.I found that yesterday was the last trainning day of the year! I went to the field in a rush and the guys were very nice, tested my plane(brand new) and found few adjustments to be done.One guy, flew my plane and did all sort of things till the engine stops while flying, having to make a emergency landing!It was exciting and there was no damages to the plane when it landed outside the field track.
I couldn't fly, not even a bit, what made me a little frustrated, but will be trying to get some help from the guys next time.The same guy said the engine will have to burn a gallon before the breaking is done!
Oh, I forgot, there was so much food in the field that I figured out why so many members!LOL


Nilo

RE: engine start tips
 

May I add something on stopping an engine? (Assuming it's installed in an aircraft)make sure you can always stop it by closing the throttle on the tranny. I once had a Super Tigre .90 that refused to start on a first flight after a long winter. It even took so long that I -stupid- tried to make it start with receiver and tranny switched off, matter of saving batterypower. Suddenly it sprang into life with far too high RPM and the plane jumped the chocks, forward a few inches... the prop digging deep in my fingers. There I was, one hand bleeding like the niagara falls, holding the plane with my other hand, my Super Tigre screeming like mad,...and no way to stop the engine.