TROUBLESHOOTING CHECK LIST

If you have difficulty starting and obtaining a smooth transition from idle to full power, here are some common items to check off your troubleshooting list.

● Does your engine fire up, burn off the prime and then die?

Check your fuel draw. Make sure the fuel lines are not pinched, kinked, blocked or have any pinholes. Make sure your engine is properly set up. Is your fuel tank installed upside-down? It happens to the best of us. When you flip the prop (with the choke closed), the carburetor should draw fuel and you should be able to see it move in the fuel lines toward the carburetor.

● The carburetor doesn’t draw fuel.

Check the needle valves for proper settings. Make sure the carburetor is tightly fastened to the engine and is not leaking air. Check the carburetor’s internal fuel intake screen filter and make sure it is clean. It is under the carburetor’s top cap (the one held in place with a single screw). If it’s dirty, remove it and flush it with fresh gas or replace it. Finally, check that the engine head/cylinder case is tightly fastened to the engine case and that the gasket is undamaged. Even a small air leak here can affect compression and prevent the engine from starting.

● There’s no spark.

Make sure your kill (grounding) switch is in the correct (run) position. If you are using an electronic ignition, make sure the battery is fully charged and the wiring to the timing sensor is properly connected.

● An engine that has been running well loses compression.

Check for a stuck or broken piston ring. If this happens during flight, perform an emergency landing as soon as you can.

Don’t turn the engine over by hand as this can easily score or gouge the piston sleeve. Carefully check for internal damage. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, send the engine out for inspection and repair.