Hot Starts

[Harbi]

Hi Fella's,

I have a problem with "hot starts". I have a problem with the engine flooding whenever I try to resart the motor after she gets up to operating temp. I hate to start the plane with the throttle wide open, so I prop it backwards a BUNCH of times with the fuel and mags shut off. It takes a while, but it will start. With the throttle open it will start on the first pull. Works great if I have a tie down, but on a lake with skiis I get nervous ( the old watch the plane fly away into the sunset trick).
I have tried both auto and 100LL, but the results are the same. I have the Stromberg carb on the C-85 with the steele needle in the carb.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. A buddy is buying a 46 Funk, anyone ever had any experience with the Funk?

Thanks
Wade Harbison
N3KL BC-12D
Tok, Alaska

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Hot Starts

Wade,
Have you tried letting the engine idle for a couple of minutes before you shut it down the first time? Seems to work for me on the Lycoming. Easy restart also seems to depend on how long it sits and at what temp. on a warm day after sitting for up to a half hour the Lyc. doesn't need prime, just flip and go. That full throttle start works, but is scary. I only do it if there is a competent person in the plane on the brakes and ready to yank the throttle when she kicks over! Oh, and I'm doing the swing back your leg propping method so I'm running like crazy off to the side!!! howard

[TimHicks]

Re: Hot Starts

I have a very similar problem. For a hot start (meaning the engine has run anytime in the last 4 hours or so), what works for my engine and environment is propping off without any prepatory moving of the prop. Just make the mags hot and pull it through.

If it doesn't start on the first compression, then I'm sunk. I do as you do. Full throttle, mags off, pull prop backwards until my arms feel like they're about to fall off.

Then try again.

[jgerard]

Re: Hot Starts

Set idle to 1000 rpm, then open the throttle all the way as you turn off the mag switch durring shutdown. Follow this by turning off the main fuel valve. That should keep any raw fuel from sneaking past the needle and dripping in to the airbox.

Jason
N43643

[Robert Lees]

Re: Hot Starts

Wade: further to Jason's post:

if you shut her down with the mags, and apply full throttle after switching off, this empties the cylinders of unburnt fuel. Then turn the fuel off to prevent any leakage into the carb.

Then for your hot start, you then apply about 1/2 - 1 inch of throttle and go straight for it, no priming or pulling through.

You should never have to start with full throttle. All that is doing is preventing fuel from being sucked in...it would be better to clear the cylinders with the switches off if that is the case.
Rob

[Harbi]

Re: Hot Starts

Thanks for the info!

I will try these suggestions and see if it makes a difference.

Wade

[AlvinMcIver]

Re: Hot Starts

My 1946 BC12-D A65-8 has no starter and no impulse coupling in the mags. I was having problems with hot starts and my A&P indicated that it was the mags being too hot. So, he fabricated two aluminum "sticks" each with a quarter-turn at the bottom (to turn into the bottom half of the cowling) and a hole with a wire at the top (into which to turn the quarter-turn from the top wing of the cowling). When I stop anywhere, I lift up both sides of the cowling, secure them open with the sticks, and within 15-20 minutes the mags (as well as the rest of the engine, I suppose) have cooled to the point where it fires within the first three pulls (no priming).
Alan

[Joe Jessop]

Re: Hot Starts

I was having hot start problems on on my Tcraft . I overhauled the mags & put in new coils . Starts good hot or cold now. I have Bendix Sf mags with no impulse on mine.