I have never had a failure to start ! I always use full choke, partial throttle if air-starting or if it is the first start of the day ( cold motor, in short). After it starts, I run the motor at 1800 rpm with light loading under the guidance of wise VW mechanics ( albeit mere auto mechanics ) that the folksmotor was intended for use in northern German winters and designed for people who would jump in, turn key and drive off without delay. Indeed an aeromotive VW writer (Robert Hoover) suggests that idling your motor at cold temps may cause harm due to thick oil / low oil pressure. Kurt, if you are going to start in subzero temps ( F ), I'd recommend a hair dryer powered by a generator under the cowl for a quarter of an hour or so. Don't run your motor (takeoff or full power) at temps above 100degrees F or below your motor oil specs. Good to have you back Nigel. P.S. I live with constant anxiety about engine starts in the air but only because I am a pussy. Kristin is fearless. P.P.S. Michael, I wonder if poor compression on a new set of rings was the issue. I had a stuck ring on a chainsaw that defied all attempts to fire, or even cough, until i opened the top end, discovered the problem and replaced the ring. Started on the second pull as usual after this. Lesson learned = some compression isn't necessarily enough.
On Wed, Feb 8, 2023 at 5:21 PM Michael Stockhill <[email protected]> wrote: > I installed a new Limbach on a friend's Dimona. It wouldn't fire. I went > through every test and procedure and priming known to man to get it to > fire. Finally pulled a couple plugs and gave it a shot of starter fluid. > Got it started. It settled down in about a minute and has run fine since. > I remain clueless... > > In my case, I have always used 100LL AVGAS. > > Michael Stockhill > > On Wed, Feb 8, 2023, 1:26 PM Ian Mc Phee <[email protected]> wrote: > >> A short squert of"START YOU BARSTARD" will show up if fuel issue. >> >> Ian McPhee >> +61 428847642 >> >> >> On Tue, 7 Feb. 2023, 5:43 pm Rob Thompson, <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> Have you considered the fuels you are using? >>> In climates with big differences in temperature between summer and >>> winter the blends vary greatly. >>> Summer fuel with less volatiles will be very hard to start when the >>> weather gets cold. >>> If you get a late batch of summer fuel at the gas station which then >>> sits in your tank for a while as the weather gets colder it will be hard to >>> start. >>> regards >>> Rob >>> >>> Rob Thompson >>> 0429 493 828 >>> >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Feb 7, 2023 at 11:24 AM Michael Stockhill <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Well, Kurt, >>>> >>>> I winter in Mesquite. No more snow shoveling for me! >>>> >>>> One thing we learned about using synthetic oils with aircraft that sit >>>> idle for extended periods, is that it is not as tenacious as conventional >>>> oils at remaining on camshafts and such. I adapted semi- synthetics for >>>> that reason. >>>> >>>> I can't see how pulling it through a few blades could do any harm. >>>> >>>> On Mon, Feb 6, 2023, 3:04 PM Kurt Redinbaugh <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> All >>>>> Thank you for your input on my master switch. Let me stir the pot a >>>>> bit and ask about the wisdom of pulling the prop through 10 revolutions - >>>>> 20 blades before starting when the plane has sat for some time in cold- >>>>> weather. I have no facility to pre-heat the engine and it has been sitting >>>>> out at a temperature as low as -7f (-21c). The same question comes to mind >>>>> when the plane has been sitting in summer temperatures as high as 100+f >>>>> (38+c). >>>>> I know Mr. Stockhill is thinking our -7 is nothing when I have friends >>>>> that live near him that have seen -35f (-38c) so far this winter. And as >>>>> for Laurie...I have a bunk waiting for you when you can get up to Reno and >>>>> cool off from your summer swelter! >>>>> Thank You for your thoughts >>>>> Kurt >>>>> >>>>>
