I've got a 116 with the Vmax-6 on it. I bought used and got the crutch all fixed up, a couple of the glue joints had popped loose. Re-painted all. I tached the rotor blades and they were doing 2100 rpm. This seems to be plenty high. Seems like the first time I start it up there is pretty good power, but successive runs seem pretty weak power wise. I am still in the learning stage and hovering in my driveway. But after scooting around the ground for a few minutes I try to take it up and at full power it won't seem to get off the ground much over a foot. I've run many 1/2A engines, and have tried both a little rich and a little lean with no real success. I'm running with 1 head gasket.

I had one flight where it went up roughly 12 feet and I cut the throttle back, of course it started coming down fast, so I went to full throttle, but not quick enough, it came down pretty hard. boom strike.
It has the blade grips with the 4 dots on them. I just ordered new blades for it and got the new 10x5's instead of the 10x2's. Could it be that the blades just don't have enough pitch to them to get it in the air? I've read about guys taking off at less than 1/2 throttle, but I have to be a 3/4 to full to even lift off at all.

I need to replace the mainshaft as there is some wobble to it.

Any ideas from the experts?

Thanks

Hi gws1, what fuel are you using? Try something with 25-30% nitro.....Omega or maybe Norvel. If that doesn't help.... you probably have the vmax6 blues. They are notorious for failing to produce enough power for good lift especially in warm-hot weather. They will always run good at first..... when they are cold..... but once they reach operating temp. they loose power. Now there are guys that have good vmax6s and they swear by them...but here is some advice.....if the drive train is plenty free, if there are no air leaks (head, backplate, fuel line, ect.), the glow plug is good, and the higher nitro fuel still doesn't help.......then upgrade to the vmax7. It flies great no matter how hot the weather......plenty of power! But beware that there has been a manufacturer's defect that shows up in the the vmax7 at a fairly high interval.....causing connecting rod failure. Do a search on vmax7 in this forum and you can read all about it. But all things considered.....the vmax7 is still your best move. I hope this helps,
Mark

If youre running your engine with one copper ring under the glow plug, it sounds like your engine may be worn. Normally you run the engine with about three washers. 15% to 25% nitro should be good enough. With one washer under the head and high nitro and still no lift could mean several things. Not enough compression is developed in the cylinder(piston and sleeve needs to be replaced). Could be to much compression which could mean not enough air in the mixture and a delayed firing(add washers and or bump up nitro content). Engine can be just plain ole worn out. Replace it or better yet upgrade to the Vmax7. The Vmax6 is extremely fustrating to tune in alot of cases. I have had some pretty good sucess with tuning the Vmax6. Once you find that "sweet spot" leave it be and dont touch it. The Vmax 7 is much better engine alot more power, not to finiky. Can even fly the heli running on the rich side somewhat. personally, I think it is a much much better engine. I would like to see an engine with just a little bit more power

Sorry about that. I'm running 25% nitro. Same stuff I use on my Norvel airplane motors, and they run great with it. The first thing I did when I got it was to remove the motor from the heli and I put on an airplane thrust plate and ran a prop on it to make sure it was good. It turned a 5 1/2 x 3 over 20K, it was plenty strong. I'll try adding a couple more washers and see if that helps. The rotor RPM's seem to be pretty high, I'll try to get the tach on it next week.

Is anyone running the new 10x5 rotor blades? I'm hoping that will help things also.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll see if this helps or if I need to move up to the Vmax7.....

I'm running the old style blades.....2-4 degree grips with no problems.....but the series 2 blades might help you. I do know this.....flying a rc helicopter is great fun and Lite Machines has a design tough enough for the beginner. Every crash doesn't "break the bank". But it is no fun sliding around on the ground trying to get in the air. If your rotor speed is high enough you will lift off. If it is too slow....then you won't. Are there any vibrations? Blade balancing and tracking are important....especially with a vmax6. Don't get discouraged!
Mark

Hi, I have the same problem with liftoff. The first run is great and the heli will lift off no problem. Then after that it is downhill with no lift at all. It is cold and I was thinking that it may be the problem. I have only had this helicopter since December and broke the engine in exactly as it stated in the manual. I would appreciate any other light that can be shed on the problem. I am so glad that I found this website!!!!
Thanks.... Ally katz

I had the very same problem, at first when hovering everything was fine, good power and so on. But after a while the power droped.
The thing was that I was running my engine to lean, just had to give it a notch or to on the needle to get the power back.

I'm using Cooper 30/30 fuel and 4 washers under the head and 4 dot blade grips,works fine

Hi,
make sure you fuel is not synthetic. Buy the Synthetic/Castor blend. I Blue Thunder car fuel at 20% and its awesome. With the Castor blended with synthetic, it prevents break down at high temps.

I have the same problem with my LMH 100+ . First hovering ok but losing power. like what Dot RCU suggested. i richen it back about 1/4 turns , let the engine cools down and all is OK back! luckily i read this thread beforehand as i would have even lean it out if i havent got such info here.

credit to all u guys.

Lawrence

do they still make the norvel .06 plugs for the LMH 116
jason

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