DA 150 Starting!

[8wheels]

Da 150 is a pain to start when cold. After approx 30-40 or more flips it will eventually fire up. If it is warm it will fire right up and run great. I assume it must be carb related,or maybe ignition?
Anybody else run across this? The reeds appear good but the back of the carb is wet with gas.
Thanks! Ken W

[Dan767]

Before you wear out your arm, try this. When you get ready to start the engine, open the throttle between one quarter to one half, choke on. Rock the prop back and forth about 15-20 times. Turn on the ignition, and flip. Probably 5 or 6 flips and it should pop.

[NCFR "Lucky"]

If you flood it, try this. Choke off. Turn the ignition OFF. Full throttle. Flip prop BACKWARDS 4 or 5 times. Throttle back to IDLE. Turn the ignition on. Flip normal and it should fire on the first one.


Also, remember you need to adjust the mixture slighly for cold weather vs hot summer weather.

[The Dirt Doctor]

My DA 150 likes at least 6.0 volts to the ignition. Also, it is very easy to flood! Throttle about 1/4 open, choke on, ignition on and flip about 5-6 times. It should pop. Then choke off and flip until it starts. DA Tech said that the low speed idle mix is very sensitive and should be 5/8" out and the most. Be sure and watch the fuel go up to the carb if you can. I discovered that I was flooding the engine when I was going to check the throttle response and had the cowl off. The diaphragm is very strong in the DA 150 carb!

Bobby aka TDD

[airbusmech]

Just a bit of backround. Ken I hope you don't mind.. Ken has had lots of DA's and knows how to start them .He was out with us this weekend and it was acting up. He would flip for ever and nothing and then somone else would try and get it on the second or third flip.We did see fuel wetness on the choke plate but not even a pop until some one else would try.The plugs were changed even though they looked dry and the carb was removed disassembled and cleaned.Just to note that at any time the motor was started it ran & flew fine. We were leaning towards perhaps a weak magnet or ignition.We checked the ignition Voltage coming out of the reg to the ignition to be at 5.5 volts. This would repeat iteself if the airlpane was left to cool down for 20 mins or more but would start normally after landing and shutting down and re-starting.Still scratching our collective heads.

[Al Lewis]

Well that settles it then. Ken needs flipping lessons! LOL Sorry, couldn't resist. Been there with a few engines and know how you feel Ken. Hope you get it sorted out buddy.

[The Dirt Doctor]

	Quote: Originally Posted by airbusmech
	Just a bit of backround. Ken I hope you don't mind.. Ken has had lots of DA's and knows how to start them .He was out with us this weekend and it was acting up. He would flip for ever and nothing and then somone else would try and get it on the second or third flip.We did see fuel wetness on the choke plate but not even a pop until some one else would try.The plugs were changed even though they looked dry and the carb was removed disassembled and cleaned.Just to note that at any time the motor was started it ran & flew fine. We were leaning towards perhaps a weak magnet or ignition.We checked the ignition Voltage coming out of the reg to the ignition to be at 5.5 volts. This would repeat iteself if the airlpane was left to cool down for 20 mins or more but would start normally after landing and shutting down and re-starting.Still scratching our collective heads.

I still maintain that the DA 150 ignition really prefers at least 6.0 volts regulated.

Bobby aka TDD

[8wheels]

The ignition batt is a Lith ion regulated with a Duralite digi switch.I have another 150 collecting dust that I will borrow the carb from.With both carbs on the bench it seams the needles are set totally different. The light bulb is going on, the settings should have been fairly close.I will swap them and see whats up.
PS! For those who don't now me,I use a wheelchair so I may not get as much power behind the flip as your average person!
Thanks guys!

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

I'm not DA savy, I'll say that right off the bat. I know that they are known for being user friendly, great service, etc.....

It could be possible that you have a really small air leak somewhere between the carb and the reed cage....... One of our 3W 157's would do the same thing. Start hard, but run like a BEAST. Start warm, pretty normal........ About 6 flips total....... We ended up having a cracked carb mount block.

I'm not saying that this is your problem, but what we found with a different manuf. engine.

Look things over, and check things for straightness. I was going to suggest cleaning the carb, but looks like that has already been done..... When the carb was cleaned, were both needles taken out, and compressed air or a quick burst of air was used on the carb??

[8wheels]

UPDATE! I swapped carbs and the reed block and it did the trick. I flip it two or three time with the choke on until it fires, a couple more with the choke off and we are off to the races.Now I have to figure out what is wrong with the original carb or reed block.
Thanks Guy's
Ken W

[goneflyin2002]

Good job Ken,
wish I could have stayed to help on Saturday.
Don