Small engines big hassle

[bert baker]

So I built a plane for these little engines, the first one had a fuel pipe up to a Venturi like a normal glow pylon engine, that did work until the tank broke,

Having these other two as spare engines I thought just fit them and fly, but they won't run more than 2-5 seconds, have stripes down and cleaned them, I rather fancy because I only try to use them once a year this may be a problem,,,,,is there any special things I should be doing with them to maintain reliability

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Might help if you tell us what these engines are...make, fuel type etc?

Personally, I don't recall seeing any engines with stripes down them...

[Denis Watkins]

Bert, don't keep stripping them down, parts can be assembled wrongly, e.g piston backwards, and bits can be left off.

By the small size you suggest, they could be diesels, but the guys need fuel type and motor name.

The small metal fuel can is a clue, and is there a glow plug in the cylinder head

Or is the head one piece with an electrode

Or is there a bar to be screwed up and don't on the cylinder head

These guys can help you

[bert baker]

Oh yeah, must have been day dreaming when I did op,

I was suppossduto do pics but got side tracked

They are Cox 0.020 I think

[bert baker]

Stripped not striped only had backs off not touching piston or crank 

Edited By bert baker on 08/10/2017 11:59:46

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Ron Gray]

I used to run Cox engines, TeeDee 010, PeeWee 020, Babe Bee 049, Golden Bee 049 and the best of them all a Black Widow. All needed to be run off very high nitro content fuel (as you state in your post Percy) and the glow heads on the smaller ones just didn't last that long. The needle jets were also prone to gumming up and needed to be kept clean a symptom of this was that after priming through the ports, they would run for a few seconds then die.

All were screamers and extremely noisy (none of mine were silenced apart from the Golden Bee which had a ring muffler and killed the performance as well as the noise).

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[bert baker]

Have been trying 30% optifuel,

Tried a new head, using a 1.5 v batt I do have a good glow so that's not the issue for starting

[bert baker]

I have a few 049 ones and do not have problems with them

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[bert baker]

[bert baker]

Might have to get a new tank for this one,

[bert baker]

The old tank had a repair to pick up pipe before my ownership,,Ned problem will be where to get one

[onetenor]

All that has been said is true but no one mentioned that the reed valve can stick. You would have to find instructions for strip down but not sure where.Re the heads I converted one of mine to take a plug. Drift the insert out from inside then carefully tap using Model engineering tap .24TPI but can't recall diameter. but is dia of glow plug. Use first and second taps. Don't run them both right through. On second tap go in stages trying the plug for fit. I can look for taps if no one can tell us what size is.

 P.S. That plane would qualify for an ebenezer contest .

Edited By onetenor on 08/10/2017 13:02:57

[bert baker]

Valve is ok have checked that the standard size for. Glow plug thread is 1/4 x 32.

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

A.K.A. 1/4" UNEF

[bert baker]

Could try a new engine

[Piers Bowlan]

Yes that would do it Bert but I fear the model might rotate faster than the prop - but not for very long!

As you can see, the reed valve is held in place by a spring and is easily removed and cleaned in meths or similar. As has been said earlier, remove and clean the needle valve and spray carb-cleaner or meths down the orifice to get rid of congealed fuel/oil and foreign matter. There is not much to go wrong so if the fuel is at least 15% nitro, fresh and you have a decent glow from the plug it should start and continue to run. Hard to believe that such a small engine can make such a loud irritating noise! I spent a lot of my misspent youth playing with these great little engines.

[bert baker]

Many thanks for everyone's inputs,

Must admit to not actually taking valve out to clean it.

The one I have with a red rear tank looks to be rare have found a engine NIB , for 250 usd, what were two a penny in my youth is no longer,

Duno if any other manufacturer of similar engines are still about,

I think Testors was one make with a square white tank on back, it was probably a 249

Actually just had a thought, I could fit a free flight hopper tank and refit my original engine

 

Edited By bert baker on 08/10/2017 14:03:52

[Piers Bowlan]

If you want another engine perhaps Den's model supplies is the place to go here. I have bought a few parts from him although I don't know if he can do the 020 engines, just .049 I think? Hobbyking sell the .049s too.

[bert baker]

Thanks Piers,

I have had a look at that it may well be worth a phone call

[ken anderson.]

hello Bert,i've dealt with den recently..he is top notch and very helpful. He ordered me some bits for a Cox engine from America.....posted them to me and asked for the payment after I had received them from him...what more could you ask for...5* service..

ken Anderson...ne...1 three cheers for den dept.

[bert baker]

I have purchased a new cox quick start from him a few years ago, I shall ring next week to see if he can help. I need to order a plane from him anyway so shall seize the opportunity,just annoying I took time to build something different and no shortage a of engines can get it flying