Restarting a .21 engine

Restarting a .21 engine

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Alex@POD

Original Poster:

6,285 posts

220 months

Saturday 3rd June 2006
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I have a 1/8 car with a Thunder Tiger .21 engine that hasn't run for about a year, and back then it wasn't the best. I got it to run again today but it runs way too rich I think (loads of fuel out of the exhaust), and if I adjust it it's not getting enough fuel. I can get it to idle fast but as soon as I open the throttle it dies.
Does anyone have any tips I could try?

Also note that the exhaust has been a bit bent in the past, still is a bit, and that I have not used the car much in the last 3 years...

sosidge

691 posts

220 months

Tuesday 6th June 2006
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As you say it sounds like it is running too rich at the bottom end. Make small adjustments on the needes (1/8th turn at a time) to lean it out.

A thorough clean of the carburettor needles may help if fuel flow is an issue.

Mikey G

4,755 posts

245 months

Tuesday 6th June 2006
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How many adjustment needles does your carb have?
you could have up to 3 adjustments to cope with.

Alex@POD

Original Poster:

6,285 posts

220 months

Thursday 8th June 2006
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There is one screw just by the fuel pipe, one on the main body, and the idle one.I can try different settings, however I don't really have a reference to compare it to, and I'm not totally sure about what those needles exactly affect it... I'm much more confident with real-size carbs...

Thanks for the advice by the way, I'll keep tinkering!

Mikey G

4,755 posts

245 months

Thursday 8th June 2006
quotequote all
OK so you know the idle screw but do you have a 3rd screw that tends to be hidden on the sliding part of the carb?
The screw on the fuel inlet is the high speed adjustment, gently close this up and then open it around 2 1/2 turns to start with then leave alone.
You should have another screw in the carb body pointing straight into the direction of the carb slide, this will be your low speed screw or idle mixture. Hold the slide shut and turn this in, then back it out about 1 1/2 turns. Be carefull with these screws as they are brass and can damage if you turn them in too much.
When trying to start it if it wont start try turning the LOW speed screw out a little at a time, once running adjust to suit tickover with a little smoke on the exhaust.
Try reving the engine, if it cuts out immedeatly turn the HIGH speed screw out a little, if it revs but bogs down and smokes turn the screw in a little until it revs cleanly with a little blue smoke.
From then on you need to be keeping an eye on temps, the spit test is good, a little water on the head should just gently boil off and dissapear. If it just fizzles very quickly it is too hot and you need to turn your screws out a little to richen. If the water just sits there and slowly evaporates its too cold and needs to be weakened.

Good luck.

Edited by Mikey G on Thursday 8th June 21:37

Alex@POD

Original Poster:

6,285 posts

220 months

Friday 9th June 2006
quotequote all
OK that sounds good, I'll give it a shot tomorrow and keep you posted