mackey1

My Feedback: (24)

Hi,
What kind of lube do you use and how often do you lube a spring starter on a Quadra or Zenoah?

Bill

beepee

Bill,

If I remember correctly, my Quadra manual said put a drop of oil on it every 20 hours. Of course, that means you have to remove the engine from the airframe. Oh, well. Something to do on a rainy day. Bennett sold a grease for this purpose, but I don't have any anymore.

Bedford

mackey1

My Feedback: (24)

I have the Bennet "cup" mount and I'm considering drilling a 3/8" hole in it from the bottom. That would give me access to spray lube it or put some grease in it without having to remove the engine. Any thoughts anybody?

Bill

karolh

I usually remove mine once a year or so and re-grease the roller bearings inside.

Karol

captinjohn

Karol= best answer.

mackey1

My Feedback: (24)

Thanks guys! Jamaica...WOW!!!

Bill

Ed

I have both the fully open type, and the cup mount type. In both cases I have placed about a 3/16" ID piece of brass tubing directly over the coiled spring. I have a hole drilled on top of the cup mount, and another hole at the bottom/rear of the mount. The tubing is held to the mount by JB Weld, and I have a piece of black neoprene tubing feeding the brass tubing at the top, and exiting the side or top of my cowls. I insert my oil can into the neoprene tubing every couple of outings, and give it a shot of medium SAE motor oil. Treated this way, I have never had a spring starter fail.

ed

thepamster

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2891242

The Pamster
AMA 202345

ec121

My Feedback: (2)

I pull the bearing on my 40 off every once in a while and put wheel bearing grease in it. If it is good enough for cars to run years on, it ought work on a bearing that only works when the plane starts. The bearing on mine is more like a ratchet bearing. It only grabs the shaft when the prop is pulled backwards. Doesn't really rotate. I know because I had to press the old one out when the previous owner had pulled the prop back too far and broke the bearing. Only needs to move back about 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn to start a properly primed engine. The moving parts are sort of triangle shaped and rock out to grab the shaft when moved backwards. Then retract into the journal as the spring stops. BTW, Boca Bearing sells them.

beepee

Actually, ec, the bearing is NOT working during start because the starter is locked to the shaft. It IS working during engine ops as the starter is stationary while the shaft is rotating. It does need good lube, but it only takes a little attention to keep it from messing you and your plane up.

Bedford

karolh

Exactly so.

Karol