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boilermaker13

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I’ve spent over 2 hours trying to start my SS (stock .25 engine) but could only get the engine to turn over once for about 1 second. I have installed the header tank and tried starting it using the header tank and just using the main tank. I’ve sealed the back plate and carb. I'm using an OS #8 plug. I started with the HSN at 4.5 and the LSN flush with the carb body. The idle gap is about 1.5mm. I have the carb at about ¼ open. I'm using 20% O'Donnell and am pre-heating the engine to 150-170F.

I tried just about everything, loosened the glow plug 1/4-1/2 turn, tried adjusting the HSN between 1 turn and 6 turns. Did not touch the LSN. Nothing worked. I'm pretty sure my glow plug igniter is fully charged. The coil was bright orange. Should the entire coil burn orange - the coiled part and the straight part at the very end of the coil or just the coiled part? I’m thinking that my glow plug battery doesn’t recharge fully anymore. It’s a 1.2V at 1300 maH.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Actually, you want the coil to be more close to a bright yellow or white for the best starts.

With the recent install of the header tank, did you return to factory presets for the engine and try starting from there? Are you certain fuel is reaching the carb? Is this a brand new engine that has not been broken in yet?
 
This is a brand new engine. I started the HSN at 4.5 and the LSN flush with the carb body. I had installed an OFNA primer/fuel filter between the main tank and the header tank to fill the header tank. When I would squeeze the primer, fuel would definately get to the carb. When it still wouldn't start, I switched to just using the main tank and tried to prime it by blocking the exhaust. It's possible that fuel wasn't getting to the engine at this point because it was getting dark. I also tried putting a small amount of fuel directly into the carb itself.
 
Brand new engines are notoriously difficult to get going. There is a break in process that should be followed. Is this the first start?

Your two methods of priming are two of three available, and should move fuel to the carb without any problem.

You may want to check to make certain fuel is actually entering the carb. Always use a fuel filter unless there is one in the tank you are using, and even then consider using it.

How do you check or ensure fuel is getting into the carb? I usually use the third method of priming. That method is to pull the pressure line off the pipe and blow into it. You should see the fuel move and hear the carb gurgle a bit when the fuel enters it.

Aside from that, you should make certain you have a good charge on your glo-ignitor or new batteries in it. White = hot, red = cool when looking at the coil of the glo-plug. If it is closer to red, then charge the batteries or get new ones. White hot is a good thing.
 
Thanks for the input. My glow plug is definately not white so that may be the problem. I've got new batteries on order.
 
Out of curiousity, why are the batteries on order? No LHS? Have you ever considered getting something along the lines of a 1.5V battery? I only ask because it might be that your 1.2V set up is not strong enough for the task at hand.

Good luck with it, and let us know how it turns out.
 
My LHS is 40 minutes away. So during the work week it is easier to just order on-line from Tower or Hobby People. You mentioned using a 1.5V battery. Where do you get ignitors that use those? I've only seen the 1.2V kind.
 
If you do not want to use rechargeables, any alkaline/dry cell set up is 1.5V.

I'll see if I can find a rechargeable 1.5V, but that might be my imagination speaking.
 
LHS, but you can buy that Hobbico battery or its equivalent at most hardware stores. The glo-ignitor portion can be found on line at a few places.

Here is a previous post I made on this particular set-up and info for finding it on Tower Hobbies (you can order it :D )

Originally posted by SkyMaxx
It cost me about the same as a regular glo-ignitor. A few bucks for the glo-plug portion and a few bucks for the battery. I'll see what I can find for you at TowerHobbies.

Here's the battery:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL368&P=0

The ignitor:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXD696&P=7

Grand total: $18.00
Click to expand...
 
Make sure you engine is not flooded

Remove the glow plug and turn the engine and let some of the fuel spurt out. Clean up and put back your glow plug. One of my buddies had this problem too, this fixed it.
 
I had this seem exact problem with my sirio. On the glow plug try using two gold washers instead of one. That should fix thing right up.:yes:
 
Glow Plug Might not be long enough

One other possibility is that the glow plug is not long enough-you may need to try another glow plug.
 
Re: Glow Plug Might not be long enough

Originally posted by Ericke1
One other possibility is that the glow plug is not long enough-you may need to try another glow plug.
Click to expand...
Doubtful. He stated earlier it's an OS #8. While OS is not above making mistakes it's highly unlikely that their glow plug would be too short when a vast majority of RC people in the world use their plugs.

Here's something you can try, try screwing in your glow plug until it's finger tight then back it off a 1/4 of a turn. This will decrease the compression of a new engine and as soon as she fires up remofe the ghlow igniter and tighten the glow plug all the way.
 
RE Glow Plug

Actually if you look at most OFNA manuals, they say dont use the OS 8 glowplug. I called OFNA about this and they gave this very reason, the glowplug isnt long enough. Just a thought.
 
he said it only turned over once.. sounds like the one way could be out? when u try to start it, does the engine turn over or is there no compression?
 
Re: RE Glow Plug

Originally posted by Ericke1
Actually if you look at most OFNA manuals, they say dont use the OS 8 glowplug. I called OFNA about this and they gave this very reason, the glowplug isnt long enough. Just a thought.
Click to expand...
That's a new one on me. I've been using them for awhile and have had zero problems with them. Actually they seem to last nearly forever even at extremely lean settings. (I only know one that fouled prematurely but that was during a break in so I don't really count it.
 
I run os .8 in all my cars (only 2) and they have worked fine for me in the past
 
The discussion of glo-plug length is nice, but I think you guys are on two different sheets of music. Some engine manufacturers (OFNA is one) recommend using the long plugs in their big block engines.
 
The one-way bearing is fine...the piston moves up and down when I pull the cord. The engine only flooded once and I got rid of the excess fuel the usual way. I suspect it might be my glow plug igniter not having a strong enough charge. I'm getting a new battery and will try again this weekend.
 

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