DA100L Carb Bolt Leak

[WOODisGOOD]

RTK,
Your correct on the metering needle theory. However this is only the 3rd case that I have seen on the new 100L where fuel leaks from around the one mounting bolt on the carb. With close to 1000 units of the new 100L in service I dont have an explanation as to why these few engines have this minor problem.

Jmoesdad,
If you cant get it sealed give me a call back at DA ( I was the one that spoke to you earlier today) and I will send you out a whole new assembly that you can just bolt up to the engine and a call tag to have the other one returned to us.

Gotsky,
I can send you a new assembly as well. Just give me a call and let me know.

[gmorales83]

I bought my 100L new and had the leak problem. It SEEMED to be coming from the bolts but was really just following leak paths all over the carb. I called DA and they gave me the suggestion of slightly lifting up the little fork (metering valve lever) that grabs on the diaphragm. This did the trick of stopping the leak, but its a very delicate part and I used watchmaker's tools for it!

So if you don't have a steady hand send it in to DA, and give them a chance to fix it since you've spent so much on it already. After 40 flights I absolutely love this engine and I think you will too.

[RTK]

	Quote: Originally Posted by WOODisGOOD
	RTK, Your correct on the metering needle theory. However this is only the 3rd case that I have seen on the new 100L where fuel leaks from around the one mounting bolt on the carb. With close to 1000 units of the new 100L in service I dont have an explanation as to why these few engines have this minor problem.

Hmmm
The carb is sealed from the inlet fuel line to the metering needle. If this is happening there must be a hair line fracture or porosity from casting somewhere. As the first gentleman said, it will slowly keep dripping when sitting, that can't happen in a closed system unless there is a break, crack, leak somewhere.

[WOODisGOOD]

	Quote: Originally Posted by RTK
	Hmmm The carb is sealed from the inlet fuel line to the metering needle. If this is happening there must be a hair line fracture or porosity from casting somewhere. As the first gentleman said, it will slowly keep dripping when sitting, that can't happen in a closed system unless there is a break, crack, leak somewhere.

I agree and understand that, but what they described to me on the phone is that they can see it dripping from where the carb mounting bolt is exposed next to where the high and low needles are. It may be a metering needle issue but with them being new engines I doubt that the needle or seat is worn. The needle could have come unhooked from the fork, but thats pretty rare too.

[gotsky]

That is correct in my case . It only drips from the side that has the high and low speed screws. Mind you I do not store my tank full or with any fuel in it for that matter. So the drip will only last until the carb has drained itself. But that generally takes a week and then I'm out flying again. So far I have 1 3/4 gallons of Lawn boy mix run through it. My main complaint is that is makes one heck of a mess on the pipes the firewall and the underside of the plane just past the air flow cut out on the bottom of the cowl. I bought the DA100 as my 1st gas motor. I had always flown small to large glow motors for the past 20 years. Everyone at our filed loves their DA so I went that rout. But when everyone keeps asking why my motor leaks so bad and I tell them that I was told to apply the black gasket stuff. The first respones I get is why the heck would you need to do that to a brand new motor? Sorry to vent on here in a public setting but it just rubbed me the wrong way after spending the $ for what is said to be the best in the industry.

[gotsky]

	Quote: Originally Posted by WOODisGOOD
	Gotsky, I can send you a new assembly as well. Just give me a call and let me know.

I will give you a call in the morning after I run the kids to school. Thank you!!!!

[RTK]

DA's are very good engines and the company is well known for it's stellar service.
This is what I would do, but this it just me, I've rebuilt a few carbs in my life and I like finding solutions to problems.
Take the carb off and take it completely apart. Make sure all is well and there is no foreign debree any where. Set the fulcrum arm with a gauge, if no gauge is available roughly level with the case surrounding it. Check the pop off pressure while you are at it just for the heck of it. I once had a carb that dripped at idle. As it turned out the metering needle would un-seat with vibrations and a few other contributing factors.
When all else fails, follow what the DA tech's have said and/or return it for complementary service.

EDIT
On second thought, go for the complete new assembly, you can't go wrong with that. See I told you they had stellar service

[WOODisGOOD]

	Quote: Originally Posted by gotsky
	That is correct in my case . It only drips from the side that has the high and low speed screws. Mind you I do not store my tank full or with any fuel in it for that matter. So the drip will only last until the carb has drained itself. But that generally takes a week and then I'm out flying again. So far I have 1 3/4 gallons of Lawn boy mix run through it. My main complaint is that is makes one heck of a mess on the pipes the firewall and the underside of the plane just past the air flow cut out on the bottom of the cowl. I bought the DA100 as my 1st gas motor. I had always flown small to large glow motors for the past 20 years. Everyone at our filed loves their DA so I went that rout. But when everyone keeps asking why my motor leaks so bad and I tell them that I was told to apply the black gasket stuff. The first respones I get is why the heck would you need to do that to a brand new motor? Sorry to vent on here in a public setting but it just rubbed me the wrong way after spending the $ for what is said to be the best in the industry.

No problem. These things can happen to any engine from time to time. Most people do not want to send there engine in for service and loose flying time so we try to offer solutions for customers that will get them back in the air quickly and then when they have some down time they can send the engine in for service and we can take care of it. I will be out of the office by 2pm tomorrow so try and call me in the morning or you can email me at tony@desertaircraft.com and I will have your parts to you by friday.

[gotsky]

Tony
Got the new set up on Friday. Bolted it up and problem solved!!!!!
I left it at factory setting and the motor ran great. Thank you for taking care of this and making it so simple. . I will send the old one back on Monday...
Thank you
John

[Pcbang]

Im glad it got sorted out very quickly...
We have similar service here in australia (Thanks Howie ) I only own a da 50 and a da 150 , But whenever i have small problem to a big problem i know help is only a phone call away and at this time with recession and other country factors knowing we still got great service is a Big tick in my book!! GO DA!!!!!

[Skippykix]

Well here is another DA-100L that’s leaking. Already have it boxed up and ready to go back to DA so they can fix my brand new engine. This thing leaks so bad it's hard to figure out where it's coming from. It never actually ran but I did get it to pop once, my fingers are purple from flipping and the wife is pissed over the large fuel stain now on our drive way. This is my third DA-100 (first "L" model) and the other two run like Swiss watches, never ever a problem. Maybe they should have left perfection alone; I can live with a couple of ounces of weight. I know I know it's a DA and they have great customer service and they will fix it but I'm just very frustrated over this new airplane. After going back and forth THREE times to get the correct parts for the plane now this. Makes me wonder if I built "CHRISTINE" and I'm destined to spend over a $100 in shipping sending parts back and forth just so I can get this thing flying. Thanks for letting me vent guy's, hope to have some pics posted one day of my new plane.

[gareth.ky]

I think I have the same issue. The motor rung great but its leaking raw fuel all inside the cowl. Its spraying onto the muffler next to the needles. I'm not sure if its making it out to the end of the bolt though, that would be too low down for the spray pattern i am seeing.

There is a hole that's drilled and tapped into the carb block that intersects with the carb bolt hole. This hole was seeping raw fuel. I pulled the carb mounting bolt out and took some photos. There is some piece of plastic in there too, I'm not sure what this is fore. Maybe this is a defect in the carb? In any case I will call DA tomorrow and see if there is anything I can do before the IMAC contest this weekend.

If I get a resolution I will post some details. Its nice to have a support forum because 1.) it can have pictures, 2.) its open at midnight when I'm tearing down my airplane and 3.) maybe you don't have to answer every question that gets asked.

[gareth.ky]

I talked with DA today and they knew what I was talking about as soon as i made it clear that it was a DA-100L and not the old style. They re sending some parts my way to fix it. The leak, apparently originates somewhere in the spacer between the carb and the reed block.

The mystery hole is where the idle stop would go. To tide me over toll the parts get here I got the OK to plug that hole with a short screw. The hole takes an M4 bolt.

I'll post more when the parts get here next week.

[gareth.ky]

As promised here are the pics. I had the flu so I kinds got side tracked with that. The replacement part has a little depression to allow for an o-ring to seal the leak. Install the first gasket, then the o-ring, then build up the rest of the stack as normal. Put a drop of blue locktite on the bolts and snug them in place (20 inch-pounds).

[gapple12]

Haven't heard any results in here with the O ring??? I have one on the way to fix same issue. DA rocks!!!