Matronics Email Lists :: View topic

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

912 UL Hard to Start

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

jimmieblackwell(at)sbcglo
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 5:07 pm Post subject: 912 UL Hard to Start

My plane sat for a little over three weeks without being started.  I charged the battery overnight before even attempting to start it.  The engine would not start and eventually had to charge the battery a second time.  I vertified that fuel was flowing to the engine fuel pump.

   

  On the second day after a second recharge of the battery on a trickle charger the engine finally cranked after about 30 turns of the prop and ran fine.  Shut the engine down and restarted several times with no problem.

   

  I have been accustomed to my engine starting after turning only two or three blades, but this time it just turned and turned without even firing.

   

  I checked the plugs and they  look clean for the most part.  The lower plugs were a little wet, but not excessive.  Plugs have only 25 hous on them.

   

  Would appreciate any ideas as to why this happened.

   

  Jimmie

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Ceashman(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:48 am Post subject: 912 UL Hard to Start

Hi Jimmie.



Do you have a primer in your fuel line system? This really helps when 

starting, cold.

Do you hand prop about six to eight swings. Actually these are not swings 

they are rotating the crank a couple of times. (normal rotation direction and all 

electric off)? Do this with the fuel valve/s open, to draw fuel to the pump..

Do you have a glass/transparent fuel filter right before the mechanical pump? 

This way, when hand propping you can see if the fuel is on it's way to the 

mechanical pump.



With the 912, close the throttle and pull the choke. I understand if you use 

the throttle,the choke will not function.

Eric Ashman

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

fordm2003(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:39 am Post subject: 912 UL Hard to Start

Hi Jimmie, 



This sounds like what my 912 did before I started pre-heating it on cold days. (<40 F)



My problem was that the battery installed on tha plane was not able to turn the prop fast enough for the mags to fire the plugs.  Jumping the plane with a car battery did the trick.  



Since then I've been pre-heating the engine with a 10 heater on a stand from fleet farm.  That does the trick nicely!



With the engine pre-heated the plane battery is able to start the engine with ease.



If it was a cold day I highly recommend pre-heating.  It's easier on the engine, the frame, everything.  



I don't recommend pre-heating the engine at all times though, only a few hours before planned use.  I'm told that if you pre-heat all the time, then whole engine might not be the same temp and you can get moisture forming.



Hope that helps,

Mike





Jimmie Blackwell <jimmieblackwell(at)sbcglobal.net> wrote: 



My plane sat for a little over three weeks without being started.  I charged the battery overnight before even attempting to start it.  The engine would not start and eventually had to charge the battery a second time.  I vertified that fuel was flowing to the engine fuel pump.

   

  On the second day after a second recharge of the battery on a trickle charger the engine finally cranked after about 30 turns of the prop and ran fine.  Shut the engine down and restarted several times with no problem.

   

  I have been accustomed to my engine starting after turning only two or three blades, but this time it just turned and turned without even firing.

   

  I checked the plugs and they  look clean for the most part.  The lower plugs were a little wet, but not excessive.  Plugs have only 25 hous on them.

   

  Would appreciate any ideas as to why this happened.

   

  Jimmie



 

 

 



		

---------------------------------

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

neflyer48(at)cableone.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:59 am Post subject: 912 UL Hard to Start

It takes a fast starter RPM to start my 912. If I have a weak battery, I 

start it with my 10 amp charger connected. It always starts quickly this 

way, but after warming the engine for a minute, I need to shut down and 

disconnect the charger. My understanding is that when the starter doesn't 

turn fast enough, there is a slight kickback between compression strokes 

that is not visible and that will keep it from starting. Usually a new 

battery about every two years keeps it starting OK.



Starting by pulling the prop works good too. It's best to have it tied down 

or someone to hold the brakes. It will not usually start by pulling through 

just one compression stroke. Pull through two quick compression strokes 

(about 1/3 prop circle). Wear gloves, pulling the back edge of the prop is 

hard on the hands.



Jerry kohles

---

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

mike
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:46 am Post subject: Re: 912 UL Hard to Start

When starting my engine I always had trouble with the carb on the right side falling off.  Since I've gone to this way of starting, I haven't had no trouble with the carb and it starts with no troubles.  I agree with the engine heat, but I can start mine down to 25 degrees f.  Without any trouble.  what I do is first, turn the prop over at least once to make sure that it isn't hydrolic locked.  Second, make sure you have a choke hooked up for both carbs.  Now this is very important, keep the mags OFF, and crank the engine to a count of 11 if it's colder than 35, about a count of 8 if it's warmer than35, and normal starting in the summer a count of 4(the counts are about 1 second intervals). Also make sure the throttle is as closed off as possible, grab the control and pull on it to make sure, lock it in place.  Next, wait a few seconds and turn the mags on, push the throttle in slightly to have an Rpm of 2000 to 2200(questimate) Lock the throttle down good, and start the engine, be ready on the choke(that's why you lock down the throttle), if the engine is a little rough, quickly pull out the choke, as soon as it smooths out release the choke.



Also very important to have a good battery, mine is an oddesy.



Also make sure the carbs are good and clean and adjusted proper.

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

jimmieblackwell(at)sbcglo
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:15 am Post subject: 912 UL Hard to Start

Went to the hangar again yesterday with overnight charge on battery.  Engine turned ok, but maybe a little slow.  Would not start.

   

  Bought a new battery and BINGO engine starts every time.  

   

  I really appreciate all that replied and I learned once again that you gotta have a good battery in the Rotax. 

   

  Thanks again to all.

   

  Jimmie

kitfoxmike <kitfoxmike(at)yahoo.com> wrote:

  



When starting my engine I always had trouble with the carb on the right side falling off. Since I've gone to this way of starting, I haven't had no trouble with the carb and it starts with no troubles. I agree with the engine heat, but I can start mine down to 25 degrees f. Without any trouble. what I do is first, turn the prop over at least once to make sure that it isn't hydrolic locked. Second, make sure you have a choke hooked up for both carbs. Now this is very important, keep the mags OFF, and crank the engine to a count of 11 if it's colder than 35, about a count of 8 if it's warmer than35, and normal starting in the summer a count of 4(the counts are about 1 second intervals). Also make sure the throttle is as closed off as possible, grab the control and pull on it to make sure, lock it in place. Next, wait a few seconds and turn the mags on, push the throttle in slightly to have an Rpm of 2000 to 2200(questimate) Lock the throttle down good, and start the eng!

ine, be ready on the choke(that's why you lock down the throttle), if the engine is a little rough, quickly pull out the choke, as soon as it smooths out release the choke.



Also very important to have a good battery, mine is an oddesy.



Also make sure the carbs are good and clean and adjusted proper.



--------

kitfoxmike

kitfox4 1200 912ul speedster

http://www.frappr.com/kitfoxmike





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=27327#27327

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

mike
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:51 am Post subject: Re: 912 UL Hard to Start

And like I said on another thread, the Batterytender is real cool because you assured that the battery is fully charged.

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum