Is anyone having problems with the da 85 shaking badly? I read on one post where the 85's are destroying airframes....

You'll find mixed threads on this problem, here and other sites. The main reason I did not buy one when I was shopping for a 80 class engine.

I have a DA85 in an Aeroworks 33% Extra 260 and it runs fine. No shaking. Have you tuned the engine? You may have done so, so please don't take this the wrong way. I thought I would ask since I recently met two people who had a DA85 and a FPE 5.8 and neither of them had tuned their engine at all. They both said they left the needles at the factory setting.... I usually don't butt into other people's business and let them do what they want with their engines, so I think I just mentioned that it is normal to tune these gas engines and they may want to look into it...


-Ed B.

I think that could be alot of people's problems. They don't tune the engine and it runs crappy and shakes.

Mine is running fine, I haven't noticed any shaking....I was reading on another post about the 85's shaking and destroying airframes...That could be the case though, just user error... I read it on the giant scale, 3d aerobatic, hanger 9 sukhoi and da 85 thread.

Seems like no one will admit it when their engine is not tuned properly. Guy at our local club has never landed under power since I remember being a member there. I offered to help tne his engine and he states that he already did that.....I and the rest of the club know what a proper running engine sounds like....his never sounds right.

Kevin

We have had 3 of these around our field, I would say 2 were in the shaker class and 1 was more than a twin but not all that bad. To my knowledge they were all tuned well, however I know one of the shaker's owners probably has it a hair rich knowing him.

Personally I am a big fan on a ZDZ Super 80, they are very smooth for a single and really come to life with a pipe. Not quite as much power as the 85 I dont think but good power for sure.

Sent mine in for updates. It got a new pistion and needed bearings? (I don't know why the bearings went out, started sounding funny, I sent it in, they fix it and send it back) I believe the new piston gives a slighlty lower compression ratio.
Maybe it helps in the shaky department. I bolted it on per DA recommendation, which is against solid wood, not stand offs. Mine may shake a little more noticably than my 50cc, but I think that is expected, no?

Plus, it only shakes on the ground at idle, once you give it some juice, all is good and smooth. It's a thumper, a beast, that's why I got it.

Hey Karmann,

I notice you posted this last year. After a year of running does the 85 still shake bad? I would think after it's worn in a little it'd smooth right out. Just got a used one, and it hasn't been updated yet, but I know it runs good, just haven't seen the vibration in person. Long of the short is, I want to use it for the rest of the season just wondering if it ever smoothed out. Thanks

This was the main reason why I opted for the MVVS80 rather than the DA85 for my 97" Zero.
There were several reports of people having to strenghten the airframe and buy better servos for the elevators if they used the DA85 and I also liked the lower RPM torque from the MVVS
I also used to have a ZDZ80 in an earlier plane some years ago. Very smooth running and strong engine.

I heard there was an upgrade or a modification available from DA for any 85 older than certain serial number to address the vibration problem?