Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
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By jodella
#814104
At what point to do *you* give up when your engine refuses to start? :D

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By Vince C
#814107
It initially fired up quite quickly, then would not start. Did they re-prime it after that 'start'? When it did eventually 'go' there were a fair few flames from the exhaust, indicating a weak mixture... so one does wonder about the priming.

Was it a Gipsy? If so, the technique should be - prime, and pull. Providing the impulse mag is not stuck (listen for its click) it should start. If it fires but then stops, re-prime it before going for another start. If you think it may be flooded, open the throttle fully, mags off, and pull it through backwards. If it is flooded, you will smell the fuel as the over-rich mixture comes out the inlet. Then re-prime and go for a start. If you don't get a strong smell of fuel, it wasn't flooded.

In very cold conditions, only the back cyclinder will get a rich enough mixture as the priming fuel in the intake manifold won't vapourise enough to reach the other 3. In that case, you need to raise the tail so the engine is level, and go for a start. In extremis on a very cold morning I've had one engineer holding up the tail, one pumping the fuel pump to pump in priming fuel, and one swinging the prop. Only then would it fire!

Normally, these engines should start on the first or second swing.

But do Austers usually go night flying?
By Auster wobbler
#814109
:oops:
jodella wrote:At what point to do *you* give up when your engine refuses to start? :D




Bin there, dun that, got the sweaty t shirt ! :D " goes with the territory owning an Auster with no starter"
its even better when they are hot !

Austerwobbler :lol: