Engine worked flawlessly last weekend. This Sat on first start attempt I got "ignition timeout" on first 3 attempts. 4th attempt the gas solenoid started clicking and sounded like the sparker from an old pulse jet. finally got a start on 4th attempt, but got long flame tail from butane.
I'm thinking solenoid is bad, but would like confirmation before replacing. Have you guys seen this before?

Thanks,

do the ECU test on it and see if it clicks, if it does then add a little start gas and see if you hear it hiss out when you test it.

Try a new plug (set to a hot voltage), I like a Novarossi and then run at maybe 2.75v. Decrease you starting gas percentage 10% and give it a try.

Regards,

Well, with Red Flag days and Navy business it's been a while since I've had a chance to work with this. Got it out this weekend and tried to start. As soon as the ignition kicks on the gas valve starts going click, click, click. Just keeps clicking on and off 2 - 3 times a second. Butane dumps and ignition times out. Unplugged the solenoid from the ECU and put 4.8V directly to the plug and solenoid just clicks one time to on, unplug the direct 4.8V source and solenoid clicks off. ECU battery is fully charged.
Am I seeing a solenoid problem or an ECU problem?

Hi Jerry,

Did you try a new plug?

Sounds like you are getting gas, so usually this means that you either have too rich a gas mixture or not enough glo plug power.

Let me know,

the clicking, that's exactly how the ECU controls gas flow, it's working like it's supposed to.

Check the plug, had [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8982371/tm.htm]similiar/same problem[/link] with mine and although it was glowing it wasn't igniting the gas, new plug solved it for me.

Did try a new plug (actually several), but they were cheapie, no name plugs I had left over. Let me try once more with a good plug.

Never heard it go click, click, click before it started with the ignition timeout problem, so not sure this is normal operation.

i assure you this is normal operation, the clicking is the ECU's way of regulating gas flow, the higher the gas flow percentage the faster the clicks.

I've had this happen twice. Everything appeared normal and it ran fine the last time out. The plug did glow but not like it did when new. I use the Rossi plug as recommended by Jetcat. Replacing the plug on both occasions got me up and running.

As KC stated, the clicking sound from the gas solenoid is normal.

Try a rossi or mccoy plug and ditch the no name plugs for your turbine.

BTW, you are modifying your plugs by pulling two coils out right?

I have to admit I was skeptical that this was the problem, but put a new Rossi plug in it last night and she started right up on the first try and ran like a top.
You guys Rock!