any ideas? start shaft not turning?

[Mbuemi]

had a problem around november last year, the last time i went out to fly before it was too cold (actually was too cold then probably)

when getting ready to start the heli, had the electric starter in the start shaft, and when i went to crank it, it wouldnt turn, just locked up the clutch and pinion gear so tightly, the only way to fix it, was to drop the engine out, and remove the top starter coupling, and when the tension was off the starter shaft it freed up.

I just broke the heli down, tightened engine bolts, checked clutch, starter shaft, coupling, main gear, pinion gear to the best of my knowledge.

But just went out back to try and start it up again, and same thing happened.

Anyone had this happen and know what could be wrong?

Im still a beginner, flown it about 12 times since i built it.

thanks in advance

[Tom Fiddler]

What brand of heli/engine?

[RTHanley]

fan came unscrewed off the crank and now is binding up the clutch

happened to me when i flew raptors with the screw on fans

[Mbuemi]

oops sorry its a Raptor 50 v2.

[Mbuemi]

fan came unscrewed off the crank and now is binding up the clutch

happened to me when i flew raptors with the screw on fans

dropped the engine out again, there is no play up or down, i removed the clutch, and dont see any screws on the fan assembly, not even sure how to remove the fan from the engine? do i have to unscrew the 4 bottom screws on the engine? will posta pic after work, thanks for the help.

[capebob]

Mbuemi,

While you're at it make sure that there is no washer between the front bearing and the fan. This is a major cause of clutch bell failure.

Bob

[DavidH]

there is no play up or down, i removed the clutch, and dont see any screws on the fan assembly, not even sure how to remove the fan from the engine? do i have to unscrew the 4 bottom screws on the engine? will posta pic after work, thanks for the help.

Sounds like someone that purchased the ARF version and has no idea how everything goes together. Or either purchased a second hand machine that was ready to fly.

David

[WillJames]

The crank shaft nut is under the clutch. Remove the clutch from the fan (2 screws) then you will see the crank nut that holds the fan on. I to have had that nut come loose and the fan unscrew upwards and it jams against the clutch bell and makes hte start shaft impossible to turn. When you put it back together use a little locktite on the crank nut.

[Mbuemi]

there is no play up or down, i removed the clutch, and dont see any screws on the fan assembly, not even sure how to remove the fan from the engine? do i have to unscrew the 4 bottom screws on the engine? will posta pic after work, thanks for the help.

Sounds like someone that purchased the ARF version and has no idea how everything goes together. Or either purchased a second hand machine that was ready to fly.

David

no i built it, the fan was mounted on the engine when it came. I had tightened and locktite the nut underneath the clutch yesterday.

I tried to wiggle the fan when i had that nut off, and it seemed like it didnt want to move, and fragile as it felt, i didnt try much else.

It turns fine, a little resistance when the piston is fully extended.

I will try the others advice. Thanks again.

[DavidH]

no i built it, the fan was mounted on the engine when it came. I had tightened and locktite the nut underneath the clutch yesterday.

I tried to wiggle the fan when i had that nut off, and it seemed like it didnt want to move, and fragile as it felt, i didnt try much else.

Ok I didn't know the fan came mounted on engines in the kits. I thought the fan had to be installed on the engine when the kit was built. Did the engine also come in the kit? What brand of engine?

The fan is threaded onto the crankshaft of the engine. That is why the fan would not wiggle when you took the nut off the crankshaft of the engine. The nut is just there to help lock the fan to the crankshaft and keep it from spinning off.

David

[Gary O]

Please don't take this the wrong way as we have all had to start at some point. Save yourself a lot of grief, and get with someone that is familiar with all the ins and outs of your heli. It doesn't take much to have a problem on one of these things that van cause serious damage to you or someone else. This has nothing to do with somone's mechanical ability. It's just that these machines are very technical to get right. I came into this from a lifetime of racing various things and it's overwhelming at first. Once you've been through one a couple of times you'll have it down after that.

[Mbuemi]

Please don't take this the wrong way as we have all had to start at some point. Save yourself a lot of grief, and get with someone that is familiar with all the ins and outs of your heli. It doesn't take much to have a problem on one of these things that van cause serious damage to you or someone else. This has nothing to do with somone's mechanical ability. It's just that these machines are very technical to get right. I came into this from a lifetime of racing various things and it's overwhelming at first. Once you've been through one a couple of times you'll have it down after that.

thanks for the kind words gary.

I do have someone in columbus, just hate to bother him with problems if I cannot figure it out in a day or two myself Ill give him a call. Hes already gone above and beyond helping me with my first flight and various questions thereafter.

Ive read and reread the manuals, David it is a TT PRO-50H, i think the fan may be damaged. I removed the crank nut, and try to remove the fan, but it wont budge. There is a bout 2mm of play up and down with the nut tight, should it be flush (the bottom of the fan and the bearing holding crank shaft)?

going to try to remove and replace the fan, try it again, if it doesnt work Ill call Chris :P

[DavidH]

If I am not mistaken the fan on the Raptor 50 screws onto the crank shaft of the engine. So you will need to hold the crank shaft by using a crank lock tool or inserting a tooth brush into the carb opening after removing the carb. You should then be able to unscrew the fan off the crankshaft.
With a fan that screws onto the crankshaft, there is some verical play in the crankshaft. I would think 2mm or less is about normal for the play in the front and rear bearings.

If the fan is not loose on the crank shaft. I would just put the nut back on the crankshaft and look for your problem elsewhere. It is obvious the fan is not the problem from what you have mentioned so far. There is a thread here on Helifreak that has some great tips about how to mount the engine and line it up so the start shaft turns freely.

Here is one that might help
http://www.helifreak.com/about11327.html


David

[Mbuemi]

yea, i just rebuilt the fan assembly its rock solid, everything else seems just the way i built it. reading that post now. thanks so much everyone.