RB RTR .21 Engine won't pull-start

[Sasha Zee]

Hi guys. I mounted the engine and tried to start it. Closed exhaust pipe with my finger and pulled the starter. However, fuel doesn't go to engine. I've read, that 4-5 pulls should be enough, but I've been pulling far more than that and nothing happens. Also, when I pull, the thread goes not smoothly, but a bit hard. When pulling slowly, some millimeters go smooth, then it kinda stops and more force needs to be applied to make it move again. Then smooth again, and stuck again, and so on.

What could be wrong? What should I look for to fix the issue?

 

[cbaker65]

Hi guys. I mounted the engine and tried to start it. Closed exhaust pipe with my finger and pulled the starter. However, fuel doesn't go to engine. I've read, that 4-5 pulls should be enough, but I've been pulling far more than that and nothing happens. Also, when I pull, the thread goes not smoothly, but a bit hard. When pulling slowly, some millimeters go smooth, then it kinda stops and more force needs to be applied to make it move again. Then smooth again, and stuck again, and so on.

What could be wrong? What should I look for to fix the issue?

Is this a new engine ? If so ,they are hard to pull on because of the tight pinch & high compression!

Also ,you can pull the fuel line from the muffler an blow in to it to see if the fuel will reach the carb!

My secret on a new engine ,is to crack open the glow-plug to relieve some of the pressure ,an
then once started ,pull the igniter while its running an tighten the plug up!...

 

[Sasha Zee]

Thanks for the tip about the pressure! I tried blowing the fuel, it worked. But it seemed I blew too much, so the pull started refused to move at all. Had to remove the plug and excessive fuel. Couldn't start the engine today, though. I guess I have poopy glow igniter and battery. Only found some NiCd 1.2V 1500 mA battery. The plug glows with orange color with it. Not very bright. Tomorrow I'll try another igniter. Hope it'll work better.

 

[cbaker65]

Thanks for the tip about the pressure! I tried blowing the fuel, it worked. But it seemed I blew too much, so the pull started refused to move at all. Had to remove the plug and excessive fuel. Couldn't start the engine today, though. I guess I have poopy glow igniter and battery. Only found some NiCd 1.2V 1500 mA battery. The plug glows with orange color with it. Not very bright. Tomorrow I'll try another igniter. Hope it'll work better.

Another trick that I do on a new engine ,is to lean the HSN needle setting in about a half turn because its factory set
on a very rich setting for break-in ,once you get it started ,richen it back up while the engine is still running!

An best done on a block of wood or something with wheels off the ground!

You also may need to finger the throttle in intervals to keep it running an the engine from loading up with fuel
an die....

 

[Sasha Zee]

So I loosen the glow plug a bit to reduce pressure, turned HSN 1,5 turns CCW, heated the engine a bit with hair dryer (to 32 Celsius)... and it insta-started from the first pull!! Yeah! Oh that sweet sound of a working engine!!! Like music to ears

 

[olds97_lss]

It's surprising how a little warmth really helps them start. All my LRP's do not like to start when below 50F. Even in the summer I make it a habit to put them on the floor of my car as I drive to the bash area with the heat on high so they get nice and toasty. It's a requirement to do that in the early spring and fall months when the temp drops below 60F outside. This is even after they are fully broken in. To get them running for break-in, they have to be warm or it's just pointless.