| Symptom
|
Cause
|
Solution
|
| Engine fails to start
|
Sluggish prop rotation/flipping
|
Recharge the electric starter battery
|
| Discharged glow plug heater battery
|
Recharge the battery
|
| Glow plug element is burned out
|
Replace glow plug. Check that applied voltage is not too high (<1.5 V).
|
| Something wrong with the glow clip or leads.
|
Check the clip and cables with another glow plug
|
| Engine "flooded" due to excessive priming
|
Close needle-valve fully and remove glow plug, then flip propeller to pump out excess fuel. (Invert engine, if possible, while pumping out excess). Re-start engine. (Priming is not necessary at this time.)
|
| Insufficient priming
|
Repeat priming procedure
|
| Engine fires intermittently but does not run
|
Incorrect heating of glow plug
|
Voltage too high or too low. Check and adjust correctly.
|
| Over priming
|
Continue flipping propeller. If engine does not start after more than 10 flips, disconnect battery from glow plug and leave for a few minutes, then re-energize plug and flip prop again. If engine still does not start, remove glow plug and pump out excess fuel by flipping prop quickly.
|
| Sluggish prop rotation/flipping
|
More vigorous flipping required. Recharge the electric starter battery.
|
| Engine fires once or twice, then fails to fire
|
Glow plug heater battery discharged
|
Recharge the battery
|
| Insufficient priming
|
Repeat priming procedure
|
| Engine starts but revolutions decrease and engine eventually stops
|
Mixture too rich
|
Close needle-valve half turn (180˚) and wait for several minutes then re-start. (Priming is not necessary.)
|
| Engine starts, then revolutions increase and engine cuts out
|
Fuel not reaching the engine
|
Make sure that tank is filled with fuel. Check that there is not something wrong with the fuel line (kinked or split). Check that carburettor is not clogged with dirt.
|
| Engine stops when the glow plug heater is disconnected after starting
|
Mixture too rich
|
Close the needle-valve a little
|
| Mismatched glow plug and fuel
|
Change fuel or glow plug
|