New Tower Trainer 46 and questions

[Landog]

1st, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Steve and I am new to the hobby.

I've been reading the threads for awhile, trying to soak up good info before I start flying. For all the great posts before, Thanks!

Upfront, I've been to our local flying field and met an instructor that will train me to fly once I've got the plane ready.

I purchased a Tower Trainer 40 with an O.S. 46 AX engine. I've got the plane mostly together and ran the engine for the 1st time today. Here's where my questions come in.

When I started it the 1st time, it started right up after a few twists with a chicken stick. I ran it for about 10 minutes. The manual says to take it down to idle, then go to full throttle rapidly to see if it coughs or hesitates. Well, when I did that, it hesitated, then when it caught on, the torque threw off a piece of the spinner backplate.

I immediately shut it down and went to my LHS to purchase another one. I checked carefully to make sure all was installed properly, but now I can't get the engine to start again.

Here are a couple of dumb questions:

1. The glow plug starter, how long does it last before it needs to be recharged? I charged it for a full 12 hrs before using on the plane the 1st time.

2. When the engine wouldn't start the 2nd time, the prop and engine turned over well, and fuel looked like it was flowing. Any suggestions? I did take the glow plug out to make sure it wasn't damaged.

I'm a bit stumped. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Steve

[Landog]

...

[Vanning]

Some things to check:

1. Glowplugs tend to live a very fleeting existence on a brand new engine. Ive heard two reasons, 1) the bits of microscopic metal flying around as the engine breaks in will 'sandblast' the platinum coating off the coil, and 2) running an engine rich for break-in (correctly) has a greater heat/quench/heat difference for each stroke - ruining the coil.
Dunno what the real case is, but replace the plug. Get a couple spares while your at it. I like Fox RC-long plugs myself.
Just because the coil glows when you apply the battery doesnt mean the coil works. Its all about the coating.

2. Remove the plug and check your glow battery. They really dont hold a charge very long at all. I carry THREE with me. Its also possible the coil failed.

3. Check the needles to see if they are in the factory position. Screw them all the way in, counting each revolution. Its rare, but possible they were incorrect from the factory, or they vibrated out.

[LostMyPlane]

I believe your plug is bad. new engines do run Through them fast as vanning stated before. Read your instructions well and break the motor in well. Most ABC motors do not like to be broken in rich, they need the extra heat to get a proper piston to sleeve fit. Running them rich on a break in can actually ruin the motor.

you can read some more about this at http://reckerclub.tripod.com/id10.html there is some basic information on this and more.

[Landog]

Thanks so much for the replies. I've got a spare glow and I'll give her a try. You've been a great help!

Steve

[Vanning]

hehe....not so fast pal. The engine still hasnt run yet. ;)

[Landog]

It was the Glow plug igniter. I let it charge for another night and everything started right up. ;)

Thanks,
Landog

[Vanning]

Happens to me CONSTANTLY. Now i have 2 rechargeables and one "d" drycell igniter. If all three go dead, i can run to 7-11 and pick up fresh batteries for the drycell and save the day.

Also, most glowplug wrenches have tapped holes in the middle part to keep spare plugs. I keep an old worn out one in there so its handy for testing the batteries.