I am new to r/c and encountered a problem on my fourth solo flight, DEADSTICK. I made it down without too much damage. However, I wondered if you could provide some insight. I was coming around and practicing approaches (not at idle) and the engine just quit. I was at probably about 1/3 throttle. Has done this one other time on takeoff when I was with my instructor. He didn't really offer any suggestions as to why it might have done this. I am at the end of the first tank of fuel. No starting problems. I am still running fairly rich mixture to ensure it is broken in. Any other suggestions?

Don't want to DS again soon if I can help it!

LA MEANS @@@## LAZY.i never liked that line of enginesCheck idle on the engine maybe to low,check carb adjustment air bleed,check fuel lines and clunk in the tank maybe to long or short .retighten all screws on the engine or check for missing screws.Install fuel filter on lines and also fuel jug,Have a experienced flyer at your field assist

Many of the LA .40 engines bleed air hole is too small and causes the engine to run too rich at the low end and throttle settings below 1/2 throttle. Completely expose the bleed air hole, start her up, warm her up at full throttle, bring her back to about 1/4 throttle (fast idle) and do pinch test. If she speeds up more than 300 rpm when you pinch and take more than 2 seconds to die then your low end is still too rich and you may have to make the bleed air hole a little larger. Before you do that, try a hotter plug, like an OS 8.

Andy

Try a new glowplug. There's a chance some of the swarf or particles from the running process in have hit the plug element and damaged it. This is a good reason not to run in an engine by flying it.

The one our club has in a Kadet Senior did that during break in, after about one hour of running & a new FOX idle bar plug, hasn`t quit in flight now for about a year. Give it a little time.>>>big max 1935

Homebrewer;
The 40LA comes with a #A3 plug, which is hotter than a #8, so changing to #8 is not going to solve the problem if the plug is too cold. I'd try a new #A3.

The OS 8 is a longer plug which will effectively increase compression and have same effect.

Rule #1 and #2 in any engine problem is:

Replace glow plug with a new one

Use a fresh gallon of fuel.

What is a good rule of thumb as to how often to change the glow plug? Or, is it just as you have problems like i had (e.g. deadstick, poor idle, cutting off)

Thanks for the tips so far. I made sure everything was snug last night but I haven't changed the plug. I have one already so that will be a quick fix. Will the plug have a shorter life if I am still running on the rich side, or will this not affect plug life?