DA 85 Won't Start

[McFlymaster]

Brand New DA-85.

Spark is good.
Choke flutter screw tight.
2 line fuel tank, lines correct.

Turned prop over about a hundred times, choke and no choke. Not even a hint of a start.

A bubble is in the fuel line leading to the carb and simply doesn't move, suggesting to me that the engine is not getting fuel, or the carb is not pumping fuel.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Dan

[raptobob]

Make sure your choke is closing all the way. If its not completely shut you will be flipping and flipping and flipping.

[Whipper]

What I have found is that the diaphram dries out and wont pump. This usually happens to me after the motor has sat all winter. Try getting some fuel in the carb itself as this will get some fuel to the diaphram as well. Usually this works for me. I know the 85's carb is inside the plane so this might not be an option for you. After I get it primed ill try to start it as i would normally first time with choke, motor should pop with the fuel you put into it and then start normally afterwards.
Hope this helps.

Mike

[BOSSIER_ROB]

I've seen this with several brand new motors. It's a pain to get them to pull fuel for the first time. Just like the other post stated, the diaphram dries and doesn't seal. I started a few by plugging the vent line and pressurising the tank through the fill line and plug it with your fuel dot immediately so it holds pressure. Choke it and flip it until the fuel moves into the carb. Once it gets wet, it will start to pull fuel on it's own. It might pull fuel quickly and it can sometimes take a great effort. Once it pulls gas, it'll be much easier to start after that. I would get a big syringe to stick into you fill line to pressurise it. Just pull the plunger back to fill it with air, stick it into the fill line and push it in. I wouldn't recommend blowing into it with your mouth, unless you love the taste of Chevron Textron. Ask me how I know this! This will help force gas into the carb as you flip it with the choke on. Should get you going.

[sarawnty]

Check the low-speed needle. You may have to richen the low-speed needle slightly. Steve

[McFlymaster]

Thanks for the tips. I'm suspecting that this DA-85 was sitting on the shelf for a while before I bought it as part of a package deal, including a Hangar-9 Sukhoi and Futaba servos from Chief AC.

I am betting that if I pressurize the tank this might do it.

I'll let you know. Thanks for all the quick feedback.

dan

[sprice50]

Mine did this also when new. Only happens until it is primed for the first time.

To make it easy, remove the plug and spin the prop as you pressurize the tank. Fuel will get to the head in a heart beat. Put the plug back in. Choke on, ignition on and she'll start. Set your hi needle at 1.5 and the low at 1 turn (low is very rich from the factory)

[Show871]

Mine did that too, I pulled the four screws on the metal plate of the carb....got the diafram wet with a squirt of gas, plate back on and got the suction to pull the gas and fire the motor. 871

[Highlights]

Very simple. Remove the plug. Rotate the prop until piston is at the top of it's stroke. Replace the sparkplug. She'll pump now. It is just a compression lock.

Helped Sprice prime his 85 with the same affliction.

[DATech]

When each engine is test ran at the factory for the first time (new dry carbs), the engines are flipped by hand with "authority" about 10 to 20 times to get the fuel through the carb. If it's slow to draw fuel, a thumb over the carb inlet can help totally seal it off for max fuel draw.
Double check to make sure the choke plate is closing 100% and double check the fuel lines. You mentioned 2 fuel lines. Are you disconnecting the carb line to fill the tank, or do you have some type of in line filler valve?

[gareth.ky]

I had a similar issue and talked with DA on the phone. The factory low end needle position is 1 1/2 turns out (so is the high end). I haven't gotten mine to go much leaner than that and still start easily. At 1 turn out it wouldn't start at all, even with a massive electric starter! Others have gotten theirs to start much leaner but mine is not that way.

[bosshoss]

If the compression lock test does not work....it is rare, do the "put it together wet " routine above...I have done it many times with an engine that sat. You will have success.

the little flappers on the pump gasket (single screw side of the carb) sometimes curl up when they dry out, one squirt of gas on them ,re-assemble. blowing into the gas inlet is a no-no. 'cus if you can do it , the metering needle (float needle), is leaking and you have bigger problems.

you will know right away, just by bumping the prop vigorously, you can draw fuel.