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United States, NC, Lexington
Joined Oct 2013
40 Posts
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Discussion
Help with DLE 35RA
So here's the background. Bought a 3DHS 74" Edge about a year ago. Got it put together and fired the engine for the first time in January 2014. Got the engine tuned and everything was perfect. Ran it on the ground several times making sure all was good. Started fine,idles well, ran excellent with great transition and all. Well, then life kind of happened and there has been no time for flying this year. I got the plane out a couple weeks ago to fire it up and test everything out again before taking it out for a maiden. Not sure what happened but it just will not run right no matter how much tuning it done on the needles. Can't get it to idle, the engine surges slightly up and down for a few seconds and dies. If you keep the RPM's over 2k it will run. WFO it will run ok but still can't tune it to run consistantly like it did before. So far I have cleaned the carb with no change and then installed a Walbro carb kit with no change. My set up is:
>DLE 35RA with reed block mod done right out of the box. >AR9110 Powersafe Rx on 2s Lipo >Tech Aero Ultra IBEC >Fourtitude 16oz fuel tank >NGK CM6 plug As said, I did the reed block mod before the engine was ever mounted as well as resurfacing all carb/spacer/reed block mating surfaces. These items have also been checked again since problem started. The carb has been cleaned and have also installed all new gaskets and diaphragms (the tan teflon pump diaphragm) with no change. I'm using fresh fuel mixed at same ratio with same oil as before. Fuel line from tank to carb has been changed and there are absolutely no bubbles in the line. Pump seems to be working perfectly as it will prime the fuel line quickly with choke on/full throttle and rocking the prop back and forth. Then inlet needle arm has not been adjusted since it ran perfect originally I feel that it should not have changed. I've tried 3 different new plugs gapped from .020" to .025" with no change. I have also checked timing with a degree wheel and it is in the factory 28 to 30 degree range. Spark looks good as it is a whiteish/blueish color so I don't think this is an ignition problem. I build motocross engines and back in the 80's and 90's I did tons of weedwhacker/blower/chain saws that use these Walbro carbs so these are definitely not new to me. I'm almost thinking maybe an intermittant air leak somewhere other than the intake tract or possibly something in the carb (stock DLE) has gone crazy? Nothing in the set up has changed other than hanging from the ceiling in the garage for months. Just looking for suggestions of things to check that maybe I'm overlooking. I'm at my wits end so any help would be greatly appreciated. |
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United States, NC, Lexington
Joined Oct 2013
40 Posts
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Unfortunately I don't have another ignition to try or that would have already been on the checked list. I have tested the lipos I was using and also tried another set so that problem has been eliminated. It doesn't seem like an ignition problem since there is no missing but that's still on the list. I'll probably order a gasket set and a Bowman ring. That way I can eliminate an air leak while doing an upgrade at the same time. I'm still leaning towards a carb issue so maybe a genuine Walbro to replace the stock carb? Thanks for the suggestions.
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From others threads I really think irregardless, changing to a Walbro will be an excellent choice. Some of the DLE carbs have been fine, but most have not. Swap it and don't be shocked if your problem is solved.
Good luck man |
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United States, NC, Lexington
Joined Oct 2013
40 Posts
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Ok. Thanks for th input. I know from dirt bikes the ignition can cause all sorts of weird problems. One thing I have noticed is even when leaning the needles to the point the engine exhibits definite lean symptoms it is still blowing a lot of black goo out of the exhaust which wasn't the case at all back when I initially did the tuning. Maybe I'm being too closed minded but typically sitting for 6 months won't cause ignition problems or an air leak so the carb is really the main suspect. Really frustrating as I only use non ethanol fuel in this plane and all of my lawn and garden equipment that may sit for any extended period of time. My weedwhacker sits from October to April with no issues.
Next question, I've searched and searched but found nothing on a Walbro replacement carb for the 35. Does anyone have a Walbro carb part number that is known to work with this engine? Surely someone here has already swapped out the stock carb. |
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Hmmm..
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I also have a DLE 35 and have been doing some reading on how to troubleshoot some of the problems, sound like you are going the air leak direction, I like to suggest to check for air leaks around the fuel nipple on the carburetor, someone reported that an air leak was found there.
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You mentioned that you leaned it but it was still spitting black junk. Perhaps the long sitting and the fuel/oil you used has dried up and stuck the ring just a bit allowing it more blow-by. Just a thought as you seemed to have covered most everything else. It might free itself up after a bit of running. Or mabey a broken ring?? These are just long shots based on what you've done already.
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United States, NC, Lexington
Joined Oct 2013
40 Posts
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United States, NC, Lexington
Joined Oct 2013
40 Posts
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Sealed up the fuel inlet nipple and verified there is no leaking with a vacuum pump. Put it all back together and still no luck. Choke on, half throttle and she pops after 3 flips. Choke off, tried various throttle positions from closed to half and it just pops. I did get it to fire up a few times but still will not idle. Low speed needle really doesn't make much difference anywhere from 1/2 turn to 2 turns out. Somewhere in there it should at least run for a while. I'll probably order a new ignition unit and a Walbro carb if I ever figure out which carb to get. I've Googled it over and over but no luck finding a carb number that has been used on a 35.
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Des Moines, Iowa USA
Joined Nov 2007
7,494 Posts
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United States, NC, Lexington
Joined Oct 2013
40 Posts
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Perfect! I'll give VVRC a call. |
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