This problem is not very big, being that I am still trying to hover, not fly, and I have not really fooled around with it a whole lot yet, so I could very well figure it out on my own, but would still like some tips. Generally I should probably have someone who knows what they are doing look at my engine, but just don't have the time to schedule an appointment right now being that I have started college and work is very busy. But when I first start my heli, it is running fine, but then when I start moving the throttle up it will lift off the ground and hover, but after a few hops of running for maybe 5 minutes, its like it loses power and at one point I had it to full throttle and it was barely lifting off the ground. I would play with the engine mixture valve and it is like that would fix it for a while but then lose power again. I try it rich and then I would try it lean. Should I adjust the speed valve more? I dont want to keep messing with the speed valve too much, but maybe I should still try something. Before it was not getting any power at all and even shutting off at full throttle until I adjusted the speed valve now it does not shut off at full throttle, but it loses power after a while as if the engine is getting too hot, but it does not appear to be hot. Could the type of fuel be a problem too. I have a Raptor .30 with an O.S. 32 engine and by a mistake got the 30% heli mix nitro wild cat fuel. Should I try 15%. Everyone else seems to be using 15% but just thought maybe I could keep using the 30% until I use it up. Let me know your thoughts.

hmm it does sound like its getting too hot,
you should probably go with the 15% fuel

Paris

Ok I will try the fuel type. I will go and get some new fuel today. Is there anything else you think it could be other than the fuel? Just incase that does not solve my problem? What is the 30% for anyway? For the bigger helis I suppose. It seems even some of the bigger copters some people still use 15% but the 30% says heli mix on it.

umm If u r overheating at 30percent, i dun think changing to 15 won;t solve it.. higher nitro content actually helps to cool the motor apparently. u can run it richer and obtain more power at that richer setting.

maybe your needles are out of whack

OK 15% means 15% nitro content it is less powerful than 30%. normally the higher the nitro the hotter then motor runs. I have run 15% in my hawk with an os .32 and now I am running 30% because I want more power out of it as I am doing some aerobatic moves. It is true that with higher nitro you can run richer and still have tons of power to fly, where as with lower nitro as in 15% you can't run too rich or you will loose power and won't be able to lift. It sounds as though you are running too lean, and maybe try changing the glow plug, I neede to after switching nitro content. Get a temp gun and check the temp of your motor when it loose power I run mine around 198 to 220 degrees at the base of the engine oppisite the muffler. I have NO problems with mine dying out and I can fly all day 1 tank after another and I fly hard. Hope this helps you. Alan

i have had engines running on 10 and 15 % then changed over to 20 and 30 % and its actually run cooler plenty cooler.. Tt engines are a good example.. many poeple finding that they run cooler on higher nitro..
i seriously doubt that changing an engien from 30 to 15 will do jack in the way of helping cooling issue's..

I had the same sorta thing happen with my os 32 and 50.The mixture seems to be off and could set it no matter what.The plug in the 32 lasted about 2 gallons, it was a A3 I think.I replaced it with a A8 and it has lasted a lot longer.My 50 lasted about 5 gallons on a A8.So now I change plugs after 4 gallons max.The plugs never quit completely, just lost power and couldn't seem to be able to set mix.

Vallon,
I had the same problem, NO TIME!!
I understand fully.
On that note I will include the following information.
Not sure how advance you are in the carb section, but in case nobody has told you or if you have not read it. When you make any adjustment to the carb you must do so when it is at full throttle. This will give it the proper operating mixes in hi and low. Let me make this a little clearer.... when engine is off place your throttle stick to full throttle, then do the adjustments. First adjust your needle valve to the reccomended specs.... which is good enough to run for now. Next start it with the heli strapped down and try hi low. your goal is to have it go from low to high with no hesitations... usually you will need to turn your main needle down alot from manufactures specs. but try it and see where you need to be. Next is your mixture control needle.... you want it rich enough so it keeps your engine running cool and strong but not too lean to get it over heated. Usualy when you loose power it is running to lean....... if you start off with no power right after you start it this means that you are to rich. I should warn you I am a newbie to this as well so maybe my advise is not the way to go.... but I have had to teach myself from day one without a sim or anyone to help me, Like you if I have a problem I post it and hope for the best advise. Anyways after you have adjusted the mixture control try the pinch test. Then go from there for further adjustmnents.

That is very interesting. I will try that. I did not think about adjusting at full throttle. I know one thing different that I tried today was adjusting the low end valve while the copter is runny. And I heard the engine go from a bad idle to a stronger one. There are so many different things I can try. I was reading a part of this book that was recamended for me to get which is Rays Authoritative Helicopter Manual, where he builds some kind of stand out of a ladder so he can do adjustments while the blades are even spinning as you said. I should lock it down and try different mixtures and adjustments. That way I can see how much power I am really getting. Thanks BLS! Thanks everyone too. I am not leaving anyone out. You guys have all helped greatly!