dle 55 running issues

[rotccapt]

well i have ran into a very troubling time with my dle 55. i have ran about 3 gallons through it and i have had nothing but great times it started easily about 4-5 flips total about 2 choked and 3 unchoked. then about 3 weeks ago it dead sticked on me i was about to enter a harrer with it and i thought i had just got the idle too low, landed with almost no issues. i then brought it out again the next weekend and it would not fire i pulled the plug and it was flooded from being flipped so much. i let it dry out and installed a new plug fresh out of the package and still nothing. after some fiddling i decided to try a spare ignition from another engine of mine and it fired right up and it flew just like it always had. today i took it out and went to start it and it would fire just like always then i unchoked it and it would start run for a few seconds and die. i flipped it some more and i started again surged and died. then i finaly got it running and flew a normal flight with no issues. it then sat for about an hour and i went to start it again and it did the same thing as the first start of the day. got it running and took off and it did not seam to be running the same so i landed and found that the head bolts were loose. i tightened them up and went to re start and not even a fire pulled the plug it was a bit wet so i dried it off and put it back into the plug boot and tested it for spark and it tested good. put it back in and it would fire but not run. any ideas what could cause this?i just about flipped my arm out today with it. i am about to send it in to vally view to have it looked at unless you guys have some thoughts for me to try

[turbotom123]

sounds like the carb pump is not pumping fuel. I had a friend that had the same problem that u are describing. Rebuilt the carb and all was well after that. Strong running motor.

Tom

[JoeAirPort]

You could try taking the carb apart and cleaning it...and replace the pump membrane and metering diaphragm while it's apart. Be sure to look at the screen first though. I had all sorts of issues with mine getting clogged on my DL-50 and DLE-55. Turned out to be the neoprene clunk fuel line gumming up the screen. But it could be anything plugging up the screen. Check it out. Look at the screen with a light behind it. Mine were silted up with some stuff that was hard to get out. All is good now though. Gotta find the culprit. Jody did actually help me find it. I had totally cleaned the carb and it still did it. Sent it to him and he found the screen gummed up again. Basically it would have just kept gumming up the screen had I not found the real source. Once I got that neoprene crap out of the tank it fixed it for good.

[rotccapt]

well that might be i will have to see tomorrow. on a different note i think i figured out my original problem with the original ignition. i decided to try the ignition with a different magnet and pickup on my other engine and found that my cowling had chafed a hole into the plug wire and the spark was jumping to the wire shield instead of the spark plug. so i cut the old wire off at the chafed spot and re attached the boot. i tested the ignition and it tests good i also just tested the ignition that i had on it an it did not spark so i think i solved my problem. i will try to run it tomorrow

[f5air]

what battery are you using for the ignition?.

[rotccapt]

4.8 volt 2100mah nicad

[f5air]

well maybe bad luck and your ignition failed. When one engine doesnt start i check ignition, battery power, switch, and then start to see if is something else on the carb. Its easy to check the ignition, just need to flip the propeller with the cap off and see if there is a spark.

[imhooked]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rotccapt
	today i took it out and went to start it and it would fire just like always then i unchoked it and it would start run for a few seconds and die. i flipped it some more and i started again surged and died. then i finaly got it running and flew a normal flight with no issues. it then sat for about an hour and i went to start it again and it did the same thing as the first start of the day.

This is interesting because mine did the same thing yesterday. It would start and run, and then die out. I would have to choke it and it would restart and be fine as long as idle didn't get too low. It ran with no problems at 1/2 to full throttle. I had one dead stick that I attribute to this problem. The only thing that I have changed is, I did lean the bottom end out just a little bit more the other day trying to get rid of a little burble. The weather was warmer when I did the leaning than it was yesterday. So, I am thinking that maybe due to the cooler temps yesterday, it was too lean on the bottom and this is my problem. ??? Any thoughts?

[SportFlyer]

	Quote: Originally Posted by imhooked
	The weather was warmer when I did the leaning than it was yesterday. So, I am thinking that maybe due to the cooler temps yesterday, it was too lean on the bottom and this is my problem. ??? Any thoughts?

A dramatic change in temp will cause you to have to retune. Like say from 80° to 30°...I do know that from experience...The cooler weather will cause it to lean out. On a computer controlled fuel injected motor this is ok (actually you get a bump in power on a nice cold, dry day...) but for a carbie it is not, will have to re-adjust...Heat has the opposite effect...

[rotccapt]

well i did not get to test run it today had a long day at work and it is too late now maybe tomorrow i will be running it with the original ignition since i have repaired it and it seams to be fine.

[rotccapt]

yea!!!!! my extra is all better now. i got to test run the engine today and it fired on the first flip of the prop while choked and started within 4 flips just like always. i had to lean out the needles a bit i guess that the vibration from the head being loose caused them to richen a bit. i hope to fly it soon but it depends on weather.

[Fidelity101]

How common is a bad ignition out of the box? I've spent about 3 hours tonight trying to get a spark with no luck. I have a brand new CM-6 plug and I've tried two others, the ignition battery is 5.2v (4 cell NiMh pack) and the ignition box makes a slight humming sound when you give it power....but no spark???

I've pushed the plug in VERY tight a few times. I've read a few people talk about a "popping sound" but I've got it down as far as I think it can go and I didn't hear anything that sounded like a pop.

[Jedijody]

It's very rare but if an Rcexl ignition module (DLE and many others) makes a high pitched humming noise when powered up, it's dead.

[Fidelity101]

It's noticable if I put my ear next to it as I turn it on. Sometimes it takes about three seconds and sometimes it's instant...but you can hear a humming noise coming from it. I just thought it was the electromagnetic field it was creating, but I've never had an ignition engine before.

So you're saying that I shouldn't be able to hear a noise? OhioModelPlanes has asked me to verify that it's defective before returning it, so I'm going to try and find a spare and see if it's the pickup line or the ignition box. If the noise is a bad sign, I'm guessing it's the later.

[Sukhoikid]

mis read post!