every first start is a problem

[rfequity1]

Every time I go to start for the first flight of the day I can't seem to get the starter to turn the engine over. I end up taking the plug out and blowing out any fuel there might be in there. It seems like the engine needs lubed up or something.

After the last flight of the day I clamp the fuel line and start the engine until it burns off the remaining fuel in the engine. Then I plug the muffler tube and put away empty except for any fuel that may remain in the header tank.

What am I doing wrong. The engine is still new. I have put 2 and 1/2 gallons through it so far.

[R1R 7humbs]

The engine will turn over more easily if there's some fuel left in it, to coat the ring, walls, etc. Rather than trying to blow out any excess fuel after your final run, just pinch the line (this can also help with tuning the engine). Some people also suggest killing the engine by closing the carb (which is what I do most of the time).

[aussiemick]

You may be removing the fuel line clamp a bit early, thus allowing fuel to drain into the engine.
Try unclamping the line when you have the starter ready and in the heli and the glow plug ready to heatup. As soon as the line is unclamped then hit the glow and the starter.

Mick

[Bobbyk]

One of the quickest way to empty excess fuel from the carb is to tip the heli towards the muffler, this way you don't have the take the glow plug out (learned that from the pros of Helifreaks).

As Mick said only unclamp the fuel line as you are about to start the heli.

Happy flyin

Robert

[SonicJeff]

I had this problem. It seems to have gotten better as the more I run the engine. The other thing that seems to help is to crank it over a little bit before you remove the fuel clamp. That way if there is old fuel in there it doesn't have to push that out and deal with the new fuel/compresion at the same time. Then remove the clamp and start as normal.