Does Old Fuel Work? Because my NEW .49 with spring start won't start.

davidll1984 wrote:Did you try to put a drop of fuel in the exhaust port? Check if the glow plug lights up Did you follow all the directions for starting Check the intake valve To check it remove the glow plug then quickly spin the propeller you should hear a pop if Not the valve Has a problem remains open Possible that he remains stuck shut as well Is it possible to try with different fuel to test?

Yes I always pour fuel in the exhaust vents. The top of the glow plug gets a little hot, which I assume means it's working. It is a new engine after all. I think I'm just going to go ahead and order new fuel.

The fuel is as old as the copter so it could easily be the culprit. Also if it took forever to start and the next time it was dead, then the battery is suspect too.

It is possible to refresh it if the gas has taken moisture from the air. Mix wit new fuel It won't do great gas but should do the job Can be added Methyl hydrate or pure alcool can help old fuel

There have been a few posts on running "old" fuel. I have done it, Roddie had a great video of him running 35 YO fuel. FAI runs them with no nitro. SO it does raise the question.....Why won't it start?? My first step in a no start is...Is there Glow, or in this case Is there a BRIGHT GLO of the coil? can you see reflected light off the top of the piston? The head getting warm is just draining the batteries. Fresh batteries are a must. the fuel shoud sizzle when primed into open port. Second step, is Fuel.
If it is a heli with the round white exposed tank you can see the fuel level, but that don't mean it is getting to the spraybar/needlevalve or even past them to the reedvalve if it is stuck with old dried castor, assuming the PO had filled the tank and couldn't get it started either, and left the fuel to evaporate and clog the port or reed. IF your heli came with intructions follow the trouble shooting guide, I tried the link in our instructions, but all the links from Bernies old web pages are not on his new web site??
Third step is Compression, is the Cylinder tight against the crankcase? Is the Glow Head tight and copper gasket(s) in place? Do ya get a nice POP of compression flipping the prop? If you have a good POP, have Good Glow, and prime sizzle, wind the prop starter spring 3/4 turn (no more than 1) and let it loose....it should start, it SHOULD start..maybe. Don't forget to open the needle valve , you did clean the needle and port right?

Hi,

Lots of the things could be the cause or even maybe several. To me, the quick simple one, assuming you have a hobby shop nearby is to go purchase a quantity of new fuel suitable for the engine. You will need the fuel once you get the engine running even if it is not the fuel. Methanol doesn't store well if not stored correctly, in dirt speedway we store methanol in high quality metal drums on top of wood and usually a foot or so above the ground. Make sure the seal on the lid is very good each time we use it. And I guess the other thing is we go through it very quickly do we tend to be getting it fresh regularly (if its from a good race fuel supplier).

Nitro does not like sunlight, but that wont cause the problems you have. But fuel with Nitro shouldnt be stored long term exposed to sunlight. Different container types either protect or dont against this. Out at the field I place a rag over my field fuel container but that might be my mental problems

I have been able to run engines on what we call methylated spirits from the hardware store over here, although they dont run great. but if you close of the needle valve and ensure no fuel is left in the engine and prime it through the port with even methylated spirit, is should fire and should as you turn the prop slowly by hand bump as it fires as you turn in slowly manually holding the prop.

With all of these things you need to cut the problem in half, then half again, etc. till you get to the cause. Sometimes you can by experience just jump to the cause. Fuel, Air, Spark are the basics of an engine running. I have seen glow plugs that are orange when tested outside the engine not work when in the engine, I assume the compression and such is just enough to make a not very good plug, not work in the engine. Batteries do go flat very fast when you are frustrated and an engine wont start and you forget how long they have been connected.

I hope the very good pointers people are giving help you sort the problem. By the way, very old fuel can definitely still run very well. Old fuel does not always equal bad fuel. i had an engine do this to me, and I just couldnt sort it easily, so I pulled it completely to pieces, cleaned every single part, needle, spray bar, new gaskets, etc. I just washed it all out in metho, cleaned and dried with a rag, oiled the parts, re-assembled, good fuel, good batteries, good glow plug and it ran like a daemon. Sometimes that can be quicker than all the stuffing around.

Good luck I understand the frustration.

Yabby

Here are the instructions and trouble schooting if you don't have them >> https://2e76ee21-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/freefilesdownloads/Skycopter%20Manual.PDF?attachauth=ANoY7cprKl-KGLftNBXP5C8OO1pFlJbTWAbfrq-Qq2fXBclV23ptxgmgKdYbHyUewJ7L_JAxCtDYQntfV6EILGXfUYBEXcNAKlv8WfQc46wNpYPZ7NhZH1Dc6JTEV1PoIkpSZYr-KhB5bYYPI-6B6kEefYL4kMXF6fUfzqD_DLtpOV2grHGx4xLc_rpALm7TrlWSW1dwHd05q1Wjww93orwHB08ZlEH7lPE41G9mhD-CnhP3KJ73vss%3D&attredirects=0

Many times it's the battery and probably more than most seeing that your not getting a pop right away. If using a Cox glow plug clip, that's problem number one. The wiring size is too small and while it may work, it will readily taxi even a new battery due to the resistance. Using wire such as speaker cable or lamp cord will assist. You didn't mention your power source but if it's a Ni-cad, your also down on power because they're only 1.2 volts. If your using dry cell batteries, you must use a minimum of two ( I use 4) and they're not wired to offer 6 volts as that will directly blow out your plug. Follow everyone else's recommendations and you should be off and running.