Ok, 30% = HUGE DIFFERENCE (problem with glowplugs)

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I tried 30% fuel in my 600 tody, wow what a difference. I was running coolpower 15% before, and all the little problems i was having were fixed by switching fuels. The engine is much more forgiving in its mixture settings, it actually holds a consistent rpm in a hover, and returns to that rpm not 200 high or low. And the power, WOW! its like a new heli now.

The only problem is that i did burn up 4 glowplugs today, and im kinda scratching my head as to why. i think its because i had the mixture too lean. They all happened at the end of the tank when the mixture i had dialed in might have been a little lean.

any ideas?

[george0079]

just out of curiousity, did you check the temp on the head?

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no, i dont have a temp gun. I tried the finger-on-the-backplate technique before that, but there was 3/4 of a tank left and i could hold my finger for more than 5 seconds.

[matrix1171]

which plugs?

[Finless]

Use good plugs. A few things that burn up glow plugs.
1) Not pinching off the fuel line while the tank is full and the heli si sitting. This is allowing the engine to load up and then trying to start it can cause damage to the coil in the glow plug.
2) Running too lean
3) Too much voltage to the glow pug at start up! If your using a power panel make sure your not over driving it.
4) Pinching off the fuel line to kill the engine... LOTS of people use this procedure but it is hard on a glow plug. If you must do something like that block off the exhaust to kill the engine. I prefer a kill switch to close the carb.

Bob

[Forced_Induction]

Thanks for the replies guys.

1) the first and last time i left the fuel line open while the heli was sitting, i came back to find 1/4 of the tank laying on the table under the head, lesson learned.
2)Lean mixture is a good possibility.
3)I am using the align 2-in-1, so i dont think voltage is a problem.
4)i usually use my transmitter.

All the glowplugs burned up when the engine quit on me. twice during an auto. How lean do you have to run in order to burn up plugs? the 15% i was using before would just run like crap, not take out the glowplug.

Im usung OS #8 plugs.