Everytime I go to the field someone has a “faulty” engine – one that won’t start, or that dies in flight or on takeoff for some reason. Or at least they think they do. Fact is, it’s hardly ever the engine. People say the wildest things: “The whole setup is gone” (meaning cylinder and piston) “the bearings are busted”, “this damned engine is just crap”, “I heard [any brand engine]s are just crap”, “the engine was full of metal shavings when I opened it up for inspection” yada yada yada…
Hear this:
- 8 times out of 10 it’s the fuel. Too much, too little or just not the right kind
- 1 time out of 10 it’s the plug. (Which means it’s not an O.S. plug, or it’s a very old and worn O.S. plug)
- 1 time out of 10 it’s the pilot (That would be you)
That’s 10 out of 10. My guess is, about 1 time in a hundred, something in the engine itself might actually be broken. In 20+ years of glow engine flying, that’s happened to me just once.
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Published: December 29, 2009 – 22:59
A tuned pipe can increase engine power dramatically while at the same time reducing noise. Sounds too good to be true, but it requires a good setup and a pipe that matches your engine. You’ll also have to take into account that fuel consumption will be a lot higher.
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Published: December 2, 2009 – 13:01
I’m rebuilding the YS 170 in the new Integral with the CDi and low-oil conversion kit. The CDi consists of a new backplate, ignition box, wiring and cable protectors, head and plug. Low oil parts are just the new crank and cam gear, all other parts will be reused. Getting the engine apart was not really that much work, putting it back together is. The crank ring in particular is very delicate.
Published: November 21, 2009 – 18:00
Published: November 20, 2009 – 20:28
This is a series of general advice on engines describing my experiences. These posts are intended for those who still think about engines as a complete mystery -things I wish someone had told me before I had to spend the time to find out for myself. (YS mechanics and engine doctors already know this.)
I thought I knew everything there was to know about glow engines, and then I got my hands on a pumped O.S. Hanno Special and a Webra .80 LS with pumps. My experiences with these engines helped me a lot when I installed perry pumps on my bigger pattern engines later.
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Published: November 15, 2009 – 19:14
New plane in da house! I’ve bought a brand new, ready built ZN Line Integral. Masterly built and painted by Rune Gjelsnes who is now well on his way to financing the switch to electric F3A. It has a used Ys 170 for power but will be rebuilt with CDi conversion kit before I fly it. It has an anhedral stab and removeable canalizer. More pictures here
Published: November 12, 2009 – 16:30
I’ve gotten to a point where I feel comfortable giving general advice on engines so I’ll write a series of posts describing my experiences. This series is intended for those who still think about engines as a complete mystery. These are my experiences and they are all things I wish someone had told me before I had to spend the time to find out for myself. (YS mechanics and engine doctors already know this.)
Part one is about bog-standard two strokes: un-pumped and uncomplicated. Read More »
Published: November 10, 2009 – 12:11
Carbonfun
We had a chance to look at Hennings new weapons for the coming season. One Delro Addiction and a Naruke hobby Aries kit were inspected. There was sausages, Carbon fiber and great fun.
Pictures
Published: October 28, 2009 – 20:06