If using an electric starter to start the engine, make sure the starter is turning
counterclockwise. If your engine has a spinner on it, place the large opening of the
rubber adapter on your starter against the spinner. Turn the starter on and hold it
against the spinner until the engine starts. Because the engine is new, it may be tight.
You may need to turn the starter on first and bump the spinner with the rubber adapter
to get it started the first few times. If only a propeller nut is on the front of the propeller,
turn the rubber adapter on the starter around and center the small hole of the rubber
adapter over the nut. Turn the starter on and hold it against the propeller until the
engine starts. If the starter has difficulties turning the engine, the engine may be
flooded with fuel. Clear the engine of fuel as described above. Do not continue to try to
start a flooded engine. The connecting rod in the engine could be damaged.
10. After the engine starts allow it to warm up for 15-30 seconds before removing the
glow plug clip. Do not reach around the spinning propeller to remove it, as this is how
many accidents happen. Instead, reposition yourself behind the propeller before
removing the glow plug clip or adjusting the needle valve.
Engine “Break-in”
Have an assistant hold the airplane securely. Start engine and advance to full throttle.
Slowly, by turning “clockwise,” lean the needle valve. As you do this, you will hear the
engine pick up speed, with the exhaust sound becoming higher in pitch. At the same
time, you will also hear that the engine will start running smoother. At some point, the
sound of the exhaust will start trying to change from a low pitch to a higher pitch
sound. It will alternate back and forth as you adjust the needle. Continue to slowly lean
the needle valve.
Eventually, the engine will be running mainly at the higher-pitch sound with an
occasional misfire or momentary change to the lower-pitch sound. “Richen” the needle
5-6 clicks from this point, and allow the engine to run at this setting for at least five
minutes.
If, at some time during the break-in process, the engine runs the tank out of fuel, don’t
change the needle valve setting. Just refill the fuel tank, set the throttle at 1/4 open,
connect the glow plug clip, and start the engine. Since it’s been running, it should start
easily. If it doesn’t start right away, remove the glow plug clip, and prime the engine as
described above. Once you’ve restarted the engine, advance the throttle to full and
continue the process.
After five minutes, give the fuel
line a quick pinch. You should
hear the engine increase speed
then return to normal. If, when
you pinch the fuel line, the
engine does not change speed,
or if it slows down, immediately
richen the needle valve at least
1/4 turn. Try pinching the fuel
line again.The engine MUST
increase speed when the fuel
line is pinched.
If, when you pinch the fuel line,
you do get an increase in engine
speed, repeat the pinch five
times at 30-second intervals, but
do not adjust the needle valve
between pinches.
Now lean the needle valve about 1/8 turn (clockwise). The engine should increase
speed slightly. Allow the engine to run at this setting for a minute or two and then
repeat the pinching process like before (five pinches at 30-second intervals). Did the
engine jump in speed? If so, then lean the needle another 1/8 turn (clockwise).
Continue this process until a quick pinch will result in no change in engine speed.
If, at any point, the engine starts to slow down while you are leaning the needle valve,
or when you pinch the fuel line, immediately stop and turn the needle valve back at
least 1/4 turn (counterclockwise). This means that you have turned the needle valve
too far. If this happens when you first start adjusting the needle valve, run the engine
longer at the first setting, it hasn’t run long enough to accept the new setting.
Eventually, you will get to the point where a quick pinch will not cause the engine to
speed up. You will either hear no change, or the engine will slow down a bit. Richen
the needle valve so that you can hear the engine speed up when you give the fuel line
a pinch. Allow the engine to run at this setting for a full tank of fuel.
While the engine is running at this setting, pinch the fuel line occasionally to make sure
you get a speed increase. As the fuel level in the tank lowers, most engines will tend to
lean a bit, so make sure the needle valve setting allows for this. If the engine will run at
this setting for an entire tank of fuel, it’s time to set the idle speed and mixture.
Adjusting the Idle
Slowly close the throttle. The engine will begin to slow down. You will also hear it start
to misfire and run a bit rough. This is normal. The carburetor opening should be about
1/16” open when the engine is idling.
If the engine will not idle smoothly, or tries to stop, the air-bleed screw will need to be
adjusted. With the engine running, close the throttle to a point just short of where the
engine stops. Pinch the fuel line. If the engine speeds up a bit, the mixture is rich.
Stop the engine and turn the air-bleed screw counterclockwise 1/4 turn. Restart the
engine and repeat the process until no change occurs. Note that the airbleed screw is
adjusted exactly in reverse of the needle valve (for the airbleed screw, “in” (turning
clockwise) is rich, and “out” (turning counterclockwise) is lean).
If the engine slows down when you pinch the fuel line, the mixture is lean. Richen the
airbleed screw 1/4 turn clockwise. Repeat the process until you get no change in
engine speed when you pinch the fuel line.
Since the engine is running slowly, a very quick pinch may not have much effect. You
may have to pinch the fuel line for a few seconds. Don’t pinch off the fuel line long
enough to stop the engine.
Another way to check your idle setting is to throttle down the engine and then let it idle.
If it gradually slows down and then quits, lean the airbleed screw. If it speeds up just
before it quits, richen the airbleed screw.
Once you have the air bleed screw adjusted and the engine idles smoothly, move the
throttle from idle to full speed. There may be a slight hesitation as the throttle is
advanced, but this is normal. The engine should not be sluggish going from idle to full
speed. There should also be a smooth transition when the throttle is reduced from full
speed to idle. The engine should be idling the same as in the beginning of this step.
Your engine is now ready to fly.
Stopping and Restarting the Engine:
To stop the engine before it runs out of fuel, we suggest that the radio be set up so
that when the throttle and throttle trim are moved to the low-speed position, the
carburetor can be completely closed. If your throttle was not set up this way, pinch the
fuel line from the fuel tank to the carburetor to stop the engine.
Restarting the Engine:
If the engine is still warm, try to start the engine without priming it first. If the engine
has cooled down it may need to be primed.
If the engine does not start after priming, the engine may be flooded. Clear the excess
fuel from the engine as described before. Attach the glow plug clip to the glow plug
and check that it glows bright orange. If it does, re-install it in the engine. If it does not,
replace the glow plug with a new one. Try to restart the engine without priming it.
Turn with
electric starter
Rotate the
needle valve
counter
clockwise to
"richen" the
engine
Rotate the
needle valve
clockwise to
"lean" the
engine
Do not adjust screws while engine is running