Engine Starting Trouble?
 

Hello, I have a OS LA 40 in my avistar and the last week it has been running GREAT, yesterday I take it out to fly and it starts up but wont idle and now I cant get it to even start, I change the plug with a A3 reset the needles and still wont budge, another weird thing is my electric starter wont turn the prop but I can easily turn it by hand? WTH?? Any help would be great, where should I start again to try and get it to run? I was so Pd off as I was just about to take it up again. Perfect, it was around 30 degrees which is warm for us here in chicago and nice packed snow for the skis. ALso can someone point me to some nice floats that will fit my alpha 40? I will be using them for snow? Thanks for your help everyone.

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

Are you getting fuel to the carburetor? I'd look for a bad line or something either in or outside the tank if you aren't.

You'll also need to prime it good and possibly adjust the needle a little rich on a cold day.

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

Sometimes the plugin of my starter does not make good contact not letting enough amps to the starter. Someone to push on the leads can help. With it cold like it is you might get a plug with a little more heat like an 8. Butane lighter fluid works good for helping cold starts.

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

Also remimber that cold weather is ruff on batteries. Make sure the battery for you starter and igniter have a good charge.

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

Although 30° isn't really cold, I often put 2-3 drops of lighter fluid in the carb when the weather is cold. They'll start up just fine then. If you can turn the prop by hand, but the starter won't turn it over, I'd suspect a low or dead starter battery. Do you use a power panel? Is your glow igniter fully charged?
Here's some really nice floats http://www.valleyviewrc.com/ . Go about 1/2 way down the page. They'll work OK on fresh soft snow, but don't use them on old hard snow that is crusty, it'll tear the crap out of the 'em.

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

i had that problem. fixed it with a good prime, put your finger over the carb (without a glove) and flip the prop a few times by hand (with glow starter out). then attack it with a starter, it should start up in 5-10 sec. it works for me.

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

Thank you all fellas, that was very helpfull, yes the battery 12v from H9 was charged a good 10 hours and the glow plug is fully chaged and in the green when connected, I checked the lines just now and they are perfect. I will go tinker with it a bit mroe, I am just debating on just putting in a OS 46 because this engine was used and I dont know how hard. And for my alpha engine not being able to turn over it was a locked piston and Evo is sending me a bran new one no questions asked. I will let you know how it goes in a hew hours after I get it running. Oh btw here are a few of my p-51 pics, just gotta put on rest of decals and spinner, do you know what is weird, the spinner that came with the plane does not fit the saito 100, the hobby shop said we can drill out the hole a bit or get a new spinner size, but then I wont have that nice yellow and red detailed spinner. I could aways go with an aluminum one but what would you do?

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

If the hole in the spinner back plate is too small, just ream it out.

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

Ok thanks Chuck, that is what I made my mind up to do rather than bu an expensive tru spin spinner. then I can use the same spinner, also does anyone know who sells a spare set of deal sheets for the p-51 I messed the bottom air force wing sticker using a not so sharp exacto knief.? Thank you all.

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

I used these, they're easy to work with. http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...rodID=MAJ143PS Best I can do without knowing who made your plane.

RE: Engine Starting Trouble?
 

you also have the decal on the wrong wing...the picture puts it on the right ..should be left side....neither here or there.....
don't be one of those guys that are constantly adjusting their engines....you see 'em every weekend....lots of time over adjusting the high end..and very little time flying with some colorful words in between.....
If the engine was running ok the last time you had it out, the engine should at least fire. If you can easily turn the engine by hand..but the starter won't turn it, there's the first problem....Also try to warm the engine in the car before a start....
Do you fly at a club? those guys will know all the tips to get a engine running in the cold.....