DA 85 Won't Start

[McFlymaster]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't have enough experience to comment on things like "with authority", however, given the amount of lactic acid which seems to have built up in my arm and back I think I am turning with authority.

I have tried to pressurize the tank, and it does look like fuel is making it to the carb, but still no joy. I put a hemostat on the vent line and then used my manual fuel pump to keep pumping in via the fuel dot. This did get the bubbles out of the feed into the back of the carb.

Regarding two fuel lines I have mis-spoken. I have a two line system, one fuel to the carb and one vent.

A number of people have mentioned the carb hole and covering it with one's finger to get the draw going. Is this possible / safe on a DA 85 when also turning the prop?

I'm away now for a couple of weeks in Europe, however, I will try some of the other suggested tactics when I get back.

I will start with the easier tactics first like removing plug and setting cylinder at top, and then move on to others....

I am definitely looking forward to hearing that first pop! I was flying giant electric but I am moving to gas for two reasons:
- I want real smoke
- If / when you crash you don't loose 1500 dollars worth of batteries....


regards,
dan

[sprice50]

You'll get it going for sure.

[tony-amps]

sounds like your plunger connected to the fork of the diaphram pump is stuck. Using a small screwdriver insert it in the hole in the front of the carb being careful to only push on the rivet. this will open the plunger and allow fuel into the carb. Sometimes they stick real good when engines are new or have not run in a while.

Tony Fandino

[dbcaster]

Did you take the carb off when you setup the engine? Could you have possibly put all the pieces back together with the pulse hole in the reed block not lining up? Also, if you have a two line setup, is there a T in the line with a plug that could be leaking air?

[DATech]

"Regarding two fuel lines I have mis-spoken. I have a two line system, one fuel to the carb and one vent."


If you don't have a dedicated fill line, do you use a fuel filler valve or "T" that may be leaking air?

"A number of people have mentioned the carb hole and covering it with one's finger to get the draw going. Is this possible / safe on a DA 85 when also turning the prop? "

Not by yourself. You might have someone do it while another flips the prop with the ignition off to see if the bubble you mentioned moves.

[BOSSIER_ROB]

I would try sticking my finger over the carb before tearing it apart. You can shoot a little gas into the carb with your pump and immediately have someones finger handy to cover the intake. Flip it a few times to see if gas starts to move through the line. It may take 20 flips to get gas moving and it could take 50. I helped out on one that I didn't think was ever going to pull fuel. It just took pressure in the tank, a finger over the intake, and all the flipping I could stand, then some, but once it started to move a small air bubble throught the line, we turned the ignition on and it popped. After that, it took about five flips to start. Once it ran, you could choke it with the ignition off, flip three times, turn choke off, ignition on and it would fire up within two flips everytime. Some times they are just a pain in the ass to get them to take that first drink after they have sat following the first factory run. It'll come alive for you.

[khedge]

mine had the same problem. I the choke servo I had was not closing the carb all the way. So the motor was not getting primed. Once that choke closes it fired right up. Well you will get that 85 running. Da got the best customer service around and they will fix you up if there is a problem with the motor

[McFlymaster]

	Quote: Originally Posted by dbcaster
	Did you take the carb off when you setup the engine? Could you have possibly put all the pieces back together with the pulse hole in the reed block not lining up? Also, if you have a two line setup, is there a T in the line with a plug that could be leaking air?

Nope. Didn't take anything apart. Also have a fairly standard setup with a fuel dot on the fuel line. Also using a wire tie tool to get the fuel lines on solidly. I think the lines are solid because I can blow into the vent line (*yuk*) with the fuel dot in place and it is basically impossible to blow into the line, you'd need lungs of steel. When the dot is out I can blow and squirt fuel out through the dot...

I was also considering using an air compressor on a very low setting to put some back pressure into the fuel tank through the vent line, but am a little worried this would pop the tank stopper....I suppose if I pop the fuel dot then I know I have plenty of tank pressure to push fuel into the carb...

[sprice50]

Just take out the plug and spin the prop quickly with the choke on and full throttle. It worked right away for highlights and me. If this doesn't work have someone add some pressure to the vent line with your fule pump and spin the prop at the same time.

Then put the plug back in and voila. She'll fire and draw fuel where it is needed.

It's just dry. Once you get fuel in the carb and the head it'll be perfect.

[DATech]

So you are using a fuel valve of some type?

[McFlymaster]

	Quote: Originally Posted by DATech
	So you are using a fuel valve of some type?

I am using a hanger 9 fuel dot and a tee into the fuel line. I bought a DA fuel dot but it looked a little too big for this model. I'll save the DA fuel dot for my 40% sukhoi from air wild that is sitting in a box in my workshop.

I attach a picture of where the DA-85 is going.

[PSF]

I have the same fuel line set-up as you descibe. It works excellent. My Da85 floods instantly if I use my choke at all and you could flip it till your arm breaks. On your engine I would choke it for 8 flips, then take the spark plug out and see if it is wet or dry. If it is wet you flooded it. Dry plug off. reinstall and dont use the choke. If the spark plug comes out dry you have a fuel problem. You could then stand the plane on its nose, squirt half a teaspoon of fuel in the spark plug hole install spark plug, set plane back on its wheels and start it.