OS32 power loss

[j42]

Hello I was hovering my heli last night and everything was ok the first five minuets then suddenly the engine lost a bit of power and increasing the throttle had no effect so I landed it checked the temp it was 72deg C so took off again and it was ok for the rest of the tank I don't think it is running lean as the engine seems cool or is 72C hot for a heli engine and there was plenty of smoke.
please can someone give me some advice as to what might have been the cause of the power loss.

Thank you
wayne

[hawkman]

72 degrees? where was this measured?

As a rule the backplate should be warm...but never hot....if its hot this could mean its running too lean.

Have you checked the fuel system....check for blocked pipes...including the muffler nipple and line....blow through these to check.

Do you have a fuel filter on the fuel line to the carb? if not then do fit one....its suprising how much gunk gets into the carb this way.

Remove the carb and check it out....DONT mess with the idle needle....this is the small screw inside the throttle barrel....just check the area where the fuel goes into the carb....a bit of grass or muck will easily ruin the fuel flow.

If the engine is new, I take it is, then run it rich.....ie when you land check that there is some oil on the skid below the exhaust pipe...smoke will tell you that all is ok as well...basically smoke and oil.

After you have run a couple of gallons through the engine, then you might retune it.

The glo plug MIGHT be faulty....they can fail....but usually they break....but you will know...the broken plug will still ignite the fuel mixture....its when you land and switch off and go to restart that a broken element will show up...the engine wont start!

Heres a good tip: before starting your engine....engage the starter shaft....and rotate the engine by hand....dont use the glo battery! you are checking the engine turns over and hasnt filled with fuel in hte crankcase or cylinder....starting an engine thats flooded can ruin the con rod and your bank balance.

Rob

[j42]

Originally Posted by hawkman

72 degrees? where was this measured?

As a rule the backplate should be warm...but never hot....if its hot this could mean its running too lean.

Have you checked the fuel system....check for blocked pipes...including the muffler nipple and line....blow through these to check.

Do you have a fuel filter on the fuel line to the carb? if not then do fit one....its suprising how much gunk gets into the carb this way.

Remove the carb and check it out....DONT mess with the idle needle....this is the small screw inside the throttle barrel....just check the area where the fuel goes into the carb....a bit of grass or muck will easily ruin the fuel flow.

If the engine is new, I take it is, then run it rich.....ie when you land check that there is some oil on the skid below the exhaust pipe...smoke will tell you that all is ok as well...basically smoke and oil.

After you have run a couple of gallons through the engine, then you might retune it.

The glo plug MIGHT be faulty....they can fail....but usually they break....but you will know...the broken plug will still ignite the fuel mixture....its when you land and switch off and go to restart that a broken element will show up...the engine wont start!

Heres a good tip: before starting your engine....engage the starter shaft....and rotate the engine by hand....dont use the glo battery! you are checking the engine turns over and hasnt filled with fuel in hte crankcase or cylinder....starting an engine thats flooded can ruin the con rod and your bank balance.

Rob

Hello I took the temperature from the back plate do you know what temp a heli engine should be as I am only used to rc cars and they get a lot hotter

I will run it a bit richer next time.how long does the fuel line inside the tank last before it starts to break down.

thank you