Thanks guys. I tried squirting fuel in the carb. No joy. Just doesn’t want to fire. Probably flooded now. I will flush it out and then try to start with choke on and idle throttle. Wonder if it’s pulling too much fuel.

The fuel lines are a few years old. I might just rebuild the entire fuel system as a last resort.

Yeah fuel line I'd replace it every year and a half. Also while flood may needs to dry out the spark real good and then see if can raise up the throttle if it can pick up.

Originally Posted by falcon7a

Need some help guys. My DA-70 is refusing to start with choke on. I can see fuel in the carb with choke on and a few flips. In fact, there is fuel dripping from the carb when I turn choke off. However, the engine just won’t fire no matter the throttle setting with choke on. What is causing it not to fire despite fuel in the carb? Spark plugs work fine and I’ve tried multiple ignition modules. Thanks.

You say you tried different ignitions,did you try replacing the timing sensor?

Raw gas up the carb and no start to me means no spark.

Originally Posted by rmyers719

Raw gas up the carb and no start to me means no spark.

Or no air. I've seen this problem before when the engine cut off switch had the carb closed all the way. Just sayin. I agree, no spark would be my first guess but also make sure the throttle butterfly is moving properly.

Originally Posted by rmyers719

Raw gas up the carb and no start to me means no spark.

I too would tend to believe that it's no spark, the bad part is that there's no way to test a DA ignition module other than to replace it with a known good one.

Originally Posted by falcon7a

Need some help guys. My DA-70 is refusing to start with choke on. I can see fuel in the carb with choke on and a few flips. In fact, there is fuel dripping from the carb when I turn choke off. However, the engine just won’t fire no matter the throttle setting with choke on. What is causing it not to fire despite fuel in the carb? Spark plugs work fine and I’ve tried multiple ignition modules. Thanks.

Do you fly with anyone that has an electric starter? Da has a Safety feature built in to their ignition that requires a healthy strong flip of the prop in order to fire as a safety feature.....an electric starter wouldn't hurt to try.....just a suggestion.

I believe the OP said that he had tried multiple ignition modules and had confirmed that they were generating a spark,

Originally Posted by Zeeb

I too would tend to believe that it's no spark, the bad part is that there's no way to test a DA ignition module other than to replace it with a known good one.

Pull the plugs, insert them into the wiring caps and watch the gap in a dark room while you spin the prop.


The plug cap completes the circuit (unlike a car/lawnmower/etc that uses the engine block to ground) so if the module is good you will see the spark visually.

If you are sure you have spark and you can see it drawing fuel, please check your needle settings. If need be, reset to factory settings and try again. There is no black magic with these engines. A lean low end needle setting can cause an engine to be incredibly hard to start.

seeing the spark will tell you that the ignition is working, it does not indicate whether the plug is firing properly in the pressures of the cylinder. a bad cap could cause the charge to take a different path.

Originally Posted by FGNewbie

seeing the spark will tell you that the ignition is working, it does not indicate whether the plug is firing properly in the pressures of the cylinder. a bad cap could cause the charge to take a different path.

so true! good point.

Folks,

Wanted to provide an update on my DA70 that was refusing to start after being serviced by DA. It turns out that DA accidentally flipped one of the gaskets in the carb when they had installed new ones. This was blocking the need with the diaphragm and that was causing fuel to flow straight out of the carb instead of into the cylinders. I spoke to them over the phone and they walked me thru the right order of installing the gaskets. After I put it back together, it starts as easily as my other DA70s. Choke on -> Ignition on -> Flip 5-10 times. Done. Great service by DA to help me identify and resolve the issue!

Sucks that it happened, but good that it was an easy fix.

Doesn't DA run the engines after service?