RE: 3W 55i problems
 

I suspect the same things you do. I have a new carb coming. I did take my carb apart and found some junk plus replaced the gaskets and pump and I still have the same things. The new carb should take care of the needle leaks but I'm not convinced I do not had a bad ignition.

If the carb does not solve the issues I'll send it off to Cactus instead

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

I have an update. The engine now runs. Here is what I did.

I had been putting off taking the ignition off my 80xi but since the last few days have been great for flying I seriously wanted to get this engine running. So I pulled the ignition off the 80xi in my Edge and wouldn't ya know it, it fired right up and ran like it used to.

So in all if you have an engine that only runs for a few seconds then shuts off, test the ignition. BTW, I got the carb I ordered but I installed it after the engine was running because I was still getting fuel drips. Now with the new carb and temp ignition she really purrs

You can bet that when AI gets back in I'll be having a talk with them since they said in an email and on the 15 minute phone call I had with them that everything was fine. I'll bet they used one of the bench ignitions and never tested mine.

At this point I'll be dealing with Bobby at Cactus from now on. I'd rather wait the extra time to ship across country and get great service than ship locally and get less than good service.

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Let us know, I'd be interested in what Gerhard has to say;)

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Let us know, I'd be interested in what Gerhard has to say;) I have bought 4 engines from him and would like to see his approach on this one.:)

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

I sure will. The info that has been sent to me so far is I'd be better off dealing with Cactus anyway.

Like you, considering where your location says you are at, I can understand why you went with AI. I did it because they are 100 miles from me and if I order anything by 3:00pm and they get it packed up that same day I get it overnight using ground shipping

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

bubba,

Glad you found the problem before it cost you a plane. :D I bet A.I. didn't run your ignition or they would have picked up the problem there. That's why you sent it in with the engine in the first place![:@] I purchased my 80XI from Bobby at Cactus, and also returned it there for service....It was repaired right the first time, so I have no complaints. I have how ever purchased a few things from Gehard because of the faster shipping from A.I. Three days regular USPS, and with Cactus it's like 7 or 8 with UPS. I wish some of these other companies would use USPS on engines, smaller items, etc. It's faster and cheaper than UPS. Anyways.......glad you got her running!

On a side note, how are you mounting your ignition? I broke the ears off my ignition module using the grommets & screws. After I got a new backplate, Bobby said just to put run a strip of velcro across the ends. That leaves enough air gap for cooling, and I think it absorbs the vibration better than the grommets/screws.....

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Frank,

As far as mounting the ignition this is on an Aeroworks Yak and they give you a 3 inch by one inch by 1/4 thick piece of silicon to use in mounting the canister. You only need a piece about 1/2 inch long so that leaves enough to place it under both sets of ears and it's plenty soft so soak up the vibrations. I did cut it down the middle to only make it a 1/2 inch wide strip. Heck dbl sides thick foam tape would work nicely as well. Just stack it if it's the thin stuff

I'd take a pic for you but I just came back on after reassembling the plane after testing it again.

I'll still buy certain things from AI because of the location but most likely I'll do engines from Bobby that way should there be a problem I purchased it from him and do not have to send him warranty work for something he did not sell.

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Bubba, glad your engine is nearing perfect health. 3W has had many ignition problems in the past from what I recall. I had a 3W24 and it was a perfect specimen.Ran great and strong. What kind of numbers are you getting with this 55? What prop? I know it is quite a margin heavier but looks robust and built well in exchange. I like talking to Bobby and his brother Lee. Not sure Lee still works there. Been a while since I've called. I hope Gerhard takes care of this situation. Seems you need an ignition.

Happy new year!

joe

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Joe,

I'll be retuning it tomorrow. When I installed the new carb I left the needles at factory settings and it is rich. On the pipe I think I was seeing close to 7000K on a 23X8 PT models prop and 6600K on a Vess 23C. I might be even better now that I have no fuel coming from the needles

Both props pulled like mad with the 23x8 better for 3D stuff and the Vess better for IMAC sequences.

I'm hitting th field early and since we are still in the 50 degree range here when it should be in the high 20's I'm gonna burn lots of fuel. I'll get better numbers then

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Hi Bubba, that is pretty good! Is the PT like a mejzlik? Please let me know where you get to. That is awesome your in the 50s tomorrow! Weird too, global warming, nahhhh!~). You should at least get more time on a tank without that leaking!
Have a great day tomorrow. I think we will be burning at the sepulveda basin as well.
70degree day forecast!~).

Joe

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Joe,

The PT prop is exactly like the Mezjlik. TBM sells them and they are nice and quiet and a few dollars less than a Mejzlik. I've been using the Vess props as well. The 23C does not work well for anything above IMAC and if Vess ever comes out with the 24 inch sizes I'll try a 24A. I think that would be "the prop". I did try a 23B and it was not enough prop, turned close to 7500K[X(]

Beyond what I have already mentioned, I've flown 3w 22x10, NX23x8, Menz23x8 and a MSC 22x10 on this plane but the PT seems to be the best at this point. Loads of pull, nice and quiet (Loadest measurement was 90Db at full throttle measured at four points 9 feet away with the pipe on grass) and decent downline braking

I think the Vess has better braking though and is just as quiet

Global warning is really helping with how long I can fly this year. We only started seeing freezing temps at night just before Christmas and usually by now I'm stuck in the shop assembling my next years fleet because the daily high temp is right at freezing.

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Ok guys just another update. I did speak to AI just a few minutes ago and he swears they ran it with my ignition and says they always do that. I'm having a real hard time with that since it had the exact same issue when returned to me so without any real proof I'll leave it at that

In any case he said he was going to ship out a brand new one tomorrow. I made it clear in the last email that I wanted a new one and was not going to pay for shipping since he charged me to ship the engine back to me and it was not fixed. We'll see on this one.

I also did retune the engine and for those that wanted to get rpm numbers here ya go

Vess 23a = 6800 even (plane goes straight up in a hurry but pullout from a hover is slow
PT Model 23x8 = 7000 even (Again the plane goes up in a hurry but it's even slower coming out of a hover)

Remember this plane weighs 19lbs so with anything in the 50 to 55cc range pullout is not going to be quick

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Thnx for the update...Nice to see he's going to stand by it..(hopefully with no shipping charges:D)

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Thanks for those numbers Bubba, what the MSC 22-10 good for 3D with your plane and setup? I hope AI sorts your issue.

Joe

RE: 3W 55i problems
 

Well,
I am at wits end with this motor; it still runs just the same regardless of what I do. Can I just get another carburetor?
RickP

Wont idle well
 

I know this is an old thread, but I just research this. My 3W 55i is nineteen years old, and when I first got it, it was perfect.
i decided to get that plane out after eighteen years and once started, it runs great .I've flown it nine times in the last month.
The problem is it's really hard to start, and I can't get an idle much below 1600 or 1700 and I got guys what their cheap DLEs are idling in 900 rpm?
very frustrating.
Any ideas? Was going to rebuid carb????