DLE55 Dying

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30 Jan 2023 15:32 - 30 Jan 2023 15:45 #26405 by Phil Ford
Replied by Phil Ford on topic DLE55 Dying
Well today I got it started again, easy. Whilst trying to pull the plug lead off I managed to pull the whole panel off the firewall.  Now I am really p**sed off.  So, three hours later I have re-secured the panel and made it detachable (fixing screws rather than glue) so now it is easier to access the ign module without having to pull all the tank out again to gain access, assuming I "might " have to swap the IGN unit at a later date.
Anyways, engine running again but dies at the transition point where the main jet comes in with low jets, ie; about 2/3rds throttle.  So, I may pop over to Kevin's for his RCEXel tester to eliminate the possibility of it not coping with high rpm. If that says all is well then it is back to the carb again.

Brian, fuel lines have been replaced.

Found this on Canadian RC forum.  Now I just wonder if..... because this is exactly my issues
If the engine starts a runs for awhile, even a couple flights, and the problem returns, then you've got "DLE sealant" in the hi/low passages.

"John said he had this with a couple DLE carbs. I started watching Walbro service videos. One video made/produced by walbro talked about the old walbro practice of sealing the welch plugs with nail polish being abandoned. They no longer recommend sealing the welch plugs. The ethanol in modern fuel attacked the sealants and the crap (inside the screens) gets into the passages and blocks at the needles.

I couldn't flush this stuff out after many attempts. This happened on two DLE61s in my case.

At the suggestion of a friend, i used brake cleaner on all the passages of the carb block after removing everything, covers, gaskets and needles.  I shoot the cleaner thru every opening till is ejected out the a mating exit, 3 times over a day. After the last, i blew it out with air (note walbro warns against hi pressure).

I reassembled at the original needle settings and all the engines ran mint since and have never acted up again.

If you do some searches, you see DLE still uses sealant on their carbs in contrast to walbro. A new walbro carb will work great. But i think about 90% of the DLE carb issues are probably solvable with a $2 dose of brake cleaner!  Its a simple and repeatable test. And a simple solution if the engine runs normally after the test, but the reoccurs with a couple flights.
"
 
Last edit: 30 Jan 2023 15:45 by Phil Ford.

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01 Feb 2023 08:55 - 01 Feb 2023 08:57 #26406 by Phil Ford
Replied by Phil Ford on topic DLE55 Dying
As planned took the carb over Kevins. Stripped completely out.  Comparing it other similar Walbro carbs it appears that this one, a DLE has extra jet. Anyway we found corrosion on the jets, odd as I cleaned them not long ago.  I decided that the carb is scrap and I had spare Walbro (ex, Dave B) that I had re-kitted but was short of a fuel screen so I used the one out of the scrapper.  Thought it would be straight swap but no. I have had to re-configure the throttle lever and control rod which also entailed drilling a new hole in the firewall.  Today, Wednesday I've got a bit more to do and then get it started hopefully later today - watch this space.

We could not test the Ignition as Kevin had a tidy up recently and could not remember where he put it.  Late yesterday it turned up - Murphy's Law!
Last edit: 01 Feb 2023 08:57 by Phil Ford. Reason: After thought

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01 Feb 2023 14:19 #26407 by Phil Ford
Replied by Phil Ford on topic DLE55 Dying
After also having to make up a new choke rod it was time to fire it up. after quite a few flips to pull up fuel it started and runs.  Full throttle seems okay now but unable to tune it properly at home.  Idle is nice too.
I took this opportunity to reset the throttle linkage mechanism as there seemed to be of a bit of "dead area". In other words the servo movement did not accurately correspond with the throttle arm movement.

Now I can get on with checking over my other models ready for the Spring.

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26 May 2023 15:36 #26508 by Phil Ford
Replied by Phil Ford on topic DLE55 Dying
A short while ago during all these carb problems I went over to Kevins and we stripped the carb right out. 
The jets appeared to have corrosion/rust on them.  Only a little time ago I had these out and they were fine.  Blame E10.

Today after a carb rebuild on the CAP 232 a few months ago and waiting on fine tuning, I thought I might just take it outside on my grass and get it running.  Fire up, run a split second and backfire die.  Not back to fuel starvation again/blocked jets?  Anyway after checking the carb in situ I thought I might as well check the plug.  Corroded and the oily rust had virtually short circuited the electrodes.  Water in fuel    Ruddy E10.  Be glad when the last of it used up in the mower.  Gotta be VPower or BP Supreme next time round,

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28 May 2023 09:06 #26511 by JRI
Replied by JRI on topic DLE55 Dying
I always use Stihl Ultra 2-stroke oil as it has lots of additives for corrosion resistance and anti-coking. It is very expensive at £20/liter but my pistons always look like new with no gum down the sides and my bearings seem to last well too. I also use a shot of Redex in the fuel every so often and my carbs seem to appreciate it.

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28 May 2023 10:41 #26512 by Phil Ford
Replied by Phil Ford on topic DLE55 Dying
I may also change my oil brand later. Funny you mentioned about Redex because I was thinking the same thing.  I have nearly used up all my E10 and have "splashed out" on Shell VPower 99 (it is relatively cheap again now). It might not need it but maybe 10 ml of Redex in 4.5 ltrs might help too avoid this gunge stuff from BioFuel.

Recently GWR diesels have been breaking down since they started using a higher ratio of Biodiesel,  Clogging up the fuel filters and those filter are BIG.

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