The manual with this engine is pretty lacking in details, so I'm just trying to figure out what I need to do. Does a kill switch have to be wired in, or is it optional? I was trying to start the engine last night and was unable to do so. At first I couldn't get any fuel to the carb, even with it choked. Eventually I decided to actually cover the very small hole in the choke plate with my finger and turn the prop over and it then drew fuel. I never see others having to do this, is that normal? After I got fuel to the carb, I flipped the prop per the manual and per directions I found on several RCUniverse threads. I'm starting to think now there might be no spark, and I'm wondering how to verify anything I might have missed. I have no kill switch set up right now, so does that mean it will always produce a spark, or never produce a spark? I guess basically I'm asking if it defaults to "on" or "off" if that makes sense. From what I've read, grounding the coil to the engine shuts off the ignition, so with nothing done currently it should produce a spark. Right? :unsure:

Hi Mike,

You should probably check the needles to make sure that they are set right. Here is the standard settings:

Standard settings of each needle is as follows:
a. Low-Speed Needle: 1 1/8 plus/minus 1/4
b. High-Speed Needle: 1 3/8 plus/minus 1/4

Do you have a spring starter on the engine? If not, you have to give the engine a VERY good flip to get it to start. Mag engines require that the flywheel be turned further and at a high rate of speed to start unlike the electronic ignition engines. While against compression you should have the prop mounted in the 2 o clock position.

Start procedure:

Open throttle to 1/4-1/3
Close choke
Kill switch is on (if no switch then ignition is automatically on)
Flip prop until you hear a 'pop' like the engine is trying to start
Turn the choke off
Flip prop and start engine...
May have to rechoke if the engine doesn't start in 6-7 flips

If you have someone helping you, you can check the spark... take the spark plug out and hold it against the engine casing while hooked up to the ignition. Flip the prop over fast and try to watch for the spark. You probabaly wont see a very bright spark as it's a mag ignition. A darker area is better for checking..

If you want, bring it by and I'll help you start it.

Jon

Thanks Jon! Would you be available this evening to tinker with it? Or what may work better is if I just bring it out to the field Saturday and we could work on it then.

Also, did that make sense what I said about having to cover the opening in the choke plate with my finger to get it to draw fuel?

The diaphram might have been dry from setting so the additional vacume from putting your finger over the hole would probably have helped... It could also be that the low speed needle is set to lean..

If you want to come by today or just wait until saturday that would be fine. Either way.

Jon

Well obviously last night didn't happen. :D

I've got a lesson in Ocean Springs tomorrow at 10 so I should be at the field around 1. I'll have the Decathlon with me so we can maybe get it running. Depending on if I can finish installing the rest of the radio equipment today I should be ready to fly it tomorrow or Sunday. :thumbup: