Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Hello guys,

My buddy has a RAM 500 which was sitting in storage for a few months, and when we started it 2 days ago, it was working well in idle and full, but poofing and cutting in the mid range.
We talked to Carlos from RTI (great guy and a real expert of his work!) and he advised we probably have a clogged needle or 2.

Since we wanted to fix this quickly, we took the engine apart ourselves and sure enough - 2 clogged needles were found, and cleaned - now working well.

When we put it back together, the CC was slightly off its position when viewing through the glow plug hole. we didnt notice this initially and tightened the glow plug anyway, which shorted and burned of course.
After pulling it apart, we found the problem with the CC being off position, took it back apart and re adjusted the CC - and now the engine doesnt want to pop the gas no matter what we do.

Spoke to Carlos, he advised moving the gas stick one stick to the right when viewing from the back of the CC (overall 2 sticks right from the glow plg stick) - did that - still no joy.

Since we thought about a possible ECU problem, we tried with 2 different glow igniter independant fromt he ECU a- and still no pop. we can only start the engine by igniting the gas from the tail cone with a torch.

Now, we are looking for ideas as to why it doesnt pop - we tried several OS 8 glow plus (all with pulled coils) and no joy. we also tried a Forgeus Research spark ignition system - still no pop !

Two things i did notice:
1. the CC might have been slightly "dented" inwards around the glow plug hole from the first mis alignment / plug tightening. this creates a garp of air between the glow plug sleeve and the CC.
2. the sleeve in the case which holds the plug rotates slightly when we tighten the plug - it is slightly loose.

Any ideas guys ?
Some pics attached .....

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Try this settup. The closer the gas line is to the glow plug the harder it is to start.

P.s Also dont forget the 0 ring.

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Just curious,

How did you clear the obstructions in the two clogged nozzels ?????

Danno

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Have heard it helps to have the turbine turned so the glow plug is at the bottom for easier starting

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Well, it used to start perfect - and we still havent figured out what exactly has changed.

About the clogged lines, we estimated they were clogged with oil, and indeed - heating them up cleared the lines.

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Which O ring ?

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Could be block by the 0 ring

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

what could be blocked by which O ring ?

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

I would like to use this thread to thank lior (I3DM) for all his help.
the RAM500 in mine and, as lior said, used to worked perfectly.
after a few month of sitting on the shelve, i decided its time to put it back into action.
the turbine started perfectly but didnt worked that great, although it did idle fine, it had problems reaching the maximum RPM and puffed through the entire mid-range.

talking to Carlos, we decided to take the turbine apart and found two blocked needles.
warming them up and burning the dried up oil that clogged them solved the problem.
as for now, the turbine works good throughout the entire range of operation idle-mid-full, but it just wont start with the glow plug nor spark plug.

I would like to thank Lior for all the time he spent in my workshop so far.
it sure is a good thing to have such a good mind, good hands and a great friend for help.
Lior - thank you my friend.

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

I have had trouble getting a good seal of the Gas line and the fuel line where they go into the diffuser plate after I disassembled my RAM 500. I solved it by using a second "O" ring on top of the first one. If it leaks the Gas doesn't get to the plug properly.

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Apperantly it all comes down to a wrong plug value and a weak plug. starts and runs like a champ now ! :)

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Hi there,

I have a noob question.
How come that glow plug isn't glowing (tested with 1,5V battery, seemed ok) when connected and Auto Started?

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RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Glow plug on the ram only work for a second or two during startup. So to see if the plug is working ok connect the glow plug outside the engine then try startup again. It should pulse on the second run.

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

But it doesn't glow not for a second. I also did set the glow plug parameter in ECU from 40 to 50, no difference.

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Ok the lower the low plug parameter # the higher the voltage, Yea RAM got it backward :) .

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Nope. Lowered the parameter to 10, no results. Could it be problem with ECU?

RE: Starting problems with RAM 500
 

Well it looks like a bad MOSFET. Here is a circuit printout to locate this part or just track the glow plug wire. Hard part is getting the transistor but its easy to change it.

Part # FDD6676

http://www.datasheet4u.com/share_sea...&sWord=fdd6676