I've posted here before and received good information on getting my 46 to run correctly. But now I have a new problem. And I would guess there's an easy answer. My problem is my 46 starts backwards each and every time I start it. It makes no difference if it's the first start of the day or the last it will start backwards. I would guess that it's an adjustment that's need to correct this but I wanted to make sure before I started twisting knobs and really screw things up.

Thanks for you help

Kris

The engine is probably flooded. Try closing the needle valve and once the engine fires, let it run dry, and then start all over again i.e . open the needle by 2 or 2.5 turns.
The other alternative is once the engine fires, backwards, open and close the throttle rapidly. Very often the engine corrects it self.
At times you can flick the propellor in the opposite direction.
Hope this helps.

When a model engine starts backwards, it always means that it's over-primed. Close the high-speed needle valve, remove the glow plug, and flip the engine briskly or spin it with the starter for a bit. You want to get the fuel out of the engine. Then replace the plug and open the high-speed needle about 2 to 2-1/2 turns out from closed. Don't prime it.

Open the throttle to about 1/4 to 1/3, apply the starter battery to the glow plug and crank the engine. It should fire right away, and in the correct direction. If it goes backwards, try flipping it backwards to see if it will kick in the correct direction.

Usually, you find this on larger engines and not so much on the smaller ones. Regardless, the effect you're seeing is the result of an over-primed engine. You can sometimes just open the throttle a bit more without having to close the needle and remove the plug and still get the engine cleaned up and running.

Thanks Bax for your tip.
I'll give it a try. One question, assuming the engine is tuned correctly now. When I make the adjustment to the high-speed needle to prevent it from starting backwards won't I have to re tune the engine for optimal performance? And when I do that won’t I end up with the same problem?

Kris

Once the high-speed needle's properly-set for best running, any problem of the engine starting backwards is a result of starting technique and not the needle setting. Basically, you'd have to over-prime the engine to get it to start up backwards. As the engine gets more running time, it will likely lose the tendency to start backwards.

[edit for typos]

Cool, that clears it up. I fly every other week end so I'll give your tips a try next time I'm at the field.

I appreciate your help.

Kris