Keep burning plugs.....need help!

[TCU 02xp]

I've got a YS engine and Align pipe. I have flown 2 gallons through this no problems. Today I ruined 3 plugs. I read the YS manual, returned everything to factory settings (main needle 1.5 out) I would run a full tank then the plug was shot. I would richen it up a click or two, same thing again. How can i tell if the plug was burnt because it was too lean or too rich? I am touching the backplate and it seems to be fine.

I''ve done nitro stuff for almost 3 years and haven't run into too many problems with tuning until today. I guess i could put my temp gun on the backplate, what should it be? BTW I running 0S #8 plugs

[capebob]

The temperature measured on the crankcase just below the head should be about 200F. I don't know what the backplate temp should be, but you should be able to keep your finger in contact with it for an extended period of time. The backplate temp will increase after shut down because there isn't any more fuel air mixture passing through to cool it. So, as a gestimate you should be able to hold your finger on the backplate for 10-15 seconds immediately after shutdown.

The bad news is that lean running isn't the only cause of early glow plug failure. Quite often when an engine starts to shed metal the fine metal bits will come in contact with the glow plug element an blow it immediately. I hope it's not that.

Bob

[baddraptor]

did you use RTV to seal the muffler to the engine, this is a common reason for fried plugs. Other than that, are you finding you have to keep richening the engine to keep it running without leaning out?

[TCU 02xp]

What is RTV? I used the two supplied gaskets, shouldn't that do it? I don't understand why it would run fine for the first couple of gallons with just the gaskets....but maybe so??

[capebob]

RTV stands for a type of silicone sealant. RTV stands for Room Temperature Vulcanization which means the silicone sealant will set-up at room temperature. It is used in place of the gaskets you used.

If your engine continues to blow plugs after you richen it up a little, you should tear it down far enough to inspect the rear bearing. Actually, I would do that now to help avoid a total engine failure such as broken connecting rod and the like.

Bob

[BarracudaHockey]

Yep, if you didn't use red goop to seal your muffler (you really dont need anything, those gaskets included) then its probably the rear bearing going south.

[malc1]

I have also had issues over the last couple of months with my YS50 taking loads of plugs out and regularly used a couple of plugs a week.
Luckily I only noticed the problem when restarting the engine for the next flight.

I was using OS no 8`s and then Enya 5`s and now I`m using the YS P0020 plug.

The YS seems to last a lot longer but you still have to make sure you don`t lean the mixture out too much when setting the engine up.
I haven`t used any sealant at all on this setup so that is not an issue here.

[TCU 02xp]

Well I just thought of one more possibility. I have a very minor crash a couple of weeks ago and I read a bunch of post here about their align mufflers making a weird noise. After my crash my pipe started to make this strange noise (sounds almost as if there are marbles in the pipe). I am wondering is something in there sheared off that small parts of metal somehow made it into the combustion chamber. I look at the top and side of the piston and all seems fine. Anyone else experience this with the align pipe?