I have a really sticky propane valve. Its a projet solenoid valve. Last week I logged about 14 flights on my jet and all but one had an automatic start. The valve froze and I had to do manual propane injection. Needless to say, I got good practice in manual starts, but its something I would rather live without.

I know sticky valves are kinda common. How do you guys unstick these? I have shot in silicon lube, but no luck yet.

I toss mine out completely and use offboard propane for my starts. A lot smoother and no carrying of propane along for the ride.

If something goes wrong with a start, my hand is on the fuel source and one click/ no more fuel source.

GNM sells a green coleman valve with 4mm propane end. around 17 bucks. Dreamworks will have one as well like now or soon.

Todd, do you have the item Sean is talking about?

i never use silicon when i have a sticki propane valve i always use a few drops of turbine fuel that i use for flying its got the turbine oil mixed in it thats the lubricant for unsticking the valve

One shot of WD40 with the little red hose has worked for me.. If that doesn't work, throw it in the trash...

I use a shot of liquid silicone once or twice a month as a preventative measure. I like the sound of the WD-40 idea though as well, might try that too.

Ron

One thing to watch with WD40 is that if it dries out, it leaves a sticky/waxy brown residue that does a *great* job of gumming things up.

WD40 is a water-displacer first and a very poor lubricant second.

thanks for the info....liquid silicone it is then....Ron

WD-40 literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed WD-40 back in 1953. The chemist, Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion -- a task which is done by displacing water. Norm's persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try.
Now don't you feel better knowing that?

every 2-3 flying session, i put some drops of oil on the festo connector were i fill gas..
no problems so far...
the propane is a well know degreaser, so the reason of sticky solenoids...

Are all your other guy’s using the Projet gas-valve as well??
Cause I did, and it sticked like hell, and needed to be lubricated a lot to work. And I finally dumped it. I had it dis-assambled some times, and I as was surprised that it ever could work: There were practically no power in the electro-magnet! Only a tiny movement, with close to no force.. I was tempted to rewind the electromagnet, but as I have external gas I saw no point in risking to overload the Projet ECU-controller by pulling more amps.

If it works wiht silicone oil, I'll might give it a try, but i doubt it..

I think the projet valves are kinda more prone to problems. I have a jetcat, NO PROBELMS ever.

Valves are in stock, just waiting for the festo fittings to arrive to complete the assembly...

Ya, in my opinion that product right there is the best way to start a turbine on propane. It's so simple and especially if you're running an engine on the stand, boo koo good starts.

Hi Sean

We've got them in stock and ready to go. Mention this post and we'll ship one out for $14.50, shipping included.

Sincerely,
Ed

Ya Ed, I got mine from you guys. I love it.

Hope all is getting better for you guys up there.

I know it was a rough year.

Sean

Hi Sean

Everything is going much better now. Thank you for asking. Looking forward to a much better year next year.

How's your brother doing, I haven't heard much lately?

Best of the Season,
Ed

Todd,
What is this valve? From this pic I cannot make out how and where this will be used. Could you please explain its use? Is it attached at the neck of the main propane/butane gas tank? If so, I am not sure if it will fit the tanks we have in india. [&:]

Ed, brother is litterally just like the movie "50 First Dates", but a little worse. He is litterally living within about a 20 minute window of memory. Couple weeks ago, I spent 6 hours with him chatting it up, hanging out together, he can have remarkable conversations.

I went out and had a sandwhich, came back and he looked at me and said "Hey bro, I haven't seen you in weeks". Trouble is, he wasn't being his old sarcastic self.

He requires 24 hour care and family has been the only available to provide that. Incredibly my brother and I are the only two brothers I know of that live exactly three doors down from each other on the same side of the street, so since he's been back at his house from the hospital, a combination of me, my cousin Jill, and Ryan's 19 year old girlfriend who lived with him before, and incredibly has stuck by his side and remarkably has provided most of Ryan's one on one care.

Physically he is nearing 100 %. His balance has gone from complete immobility to probably 90% of the time he creates his own as he walks. The other 10% of the time the person standing next to him steadies him. Even three weeks ago that number was 50%.

We are four months and two weeks out from the accident today. And he is showing signs of improvement in every way that are apparent every day. We have a lot to be thankful for, and a lot to be hopeful for.

As do you guys.

Thanks for asking, and Merry Christmas!

Sean

Ragz, the valve goes on those little 1lb green coleman bottles. Like in the picture