O-200 Won't start, pop, cough, anything... - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-28T22:56:42Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/o-200-won-t-start-pop-cough-anything?feed=yes&xn_auth=noGreat to hear! Good work!tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-04:2606393:Comment:8632512022-03-04T00:34:58.966ZClint L Goschhttps://zenith.aero/profile/ClintLGosch
<p>Great to hear! Good work!</p>
<p>Great to hear! Good work!</p> Strong, Don. Only ran a few s…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-04:2606393:Comment:8632492022-03-04T00:20:26.432ZCarl Ortonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/CarlOrton
<p>Strong, Don. Only ran a few secs as only used the gas in the fuel bowl. </p>
<p>Strong, Don. Only ran a few secs as only used the gas in the fuel bowl. </p> Hurrah!!!! Always something,…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-04:2606393:Comment:8631772022-03-04T00:15:20.910ZDon Morriseyhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DonaldMorrisey
<p>Hurrah!!!! Always something, now you know. How did it sound?</p>
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<p>Hurrah!!!! Always something, now you know. How did it sound?</p>
<p></p> Solved and fixed. It Runs!
E…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-03:2606393:Comment:8632482022-03-03T23:36:54.736ZCarl Ortonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/CarlOrton
<p>Solved and fixed. It Runs!</p>
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<p>Evidently I installed the mags with the prop flange timing marks 180 degrees out. I KNOW, and KNEW that the timing marks align with the bottom crankcase seam, but enough time transpired between crankcase assy and mag installation, that that's the only logical explanation I have. Both mags were timed together, but things were just firing 80 deg out of normal firing order.</p>
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<p>Pulled mags, reinserted timing pin, reinstsalled mags, tweaked…</p>
<p>Solved and fixed. It Runs!</p>
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<p>Evidently I installed the mags with the prop flange timing marks 180 degrees out. I KNOW, and KNEW that the timing marks align with the bottom crankcase seam, but enough time transpired between crankcase assy and mag installation, that that's the only logical explanation I have. Both mags were timed together, but things were just firing 80 deg out of normal firing order.</p>
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<p>Pulled mags, reinserted timing pin, reinstsalled mags, tweaked with the mag sync tweeter, and it fired right up.</p> Did some checking this AM jus…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-01:2606393:Comment:8626342022-03-01T19:11:49.564ZCarl Ortonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/CarlOrton
<p>Did some checking this AM just to make sure. When I saw the spark on #4 last night, I wasn't sure about where the engine was in its cycle. Turns out if I set everything so that #1 had compression (thumb over plug hole) with timing marks lined up, #2 plugs (both) fired when the impulse coupler popped. To me, that says something is 180 out, since the firing order is 1-3-2-4, so #2 is halfway, or 180 deg, out of the entire 4 cylinder sequence.</p>
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<p>Don't know what to do. Yes, I could…</p>
<p>Did some checking this AM just to make sure. When I saw the spark on #4 last night, I wasn't sure about where the engine was in its cycle. Turns out if I set everything so that #1 had compression (thumb over plug hole) with timing marks lined up, #2 plugs (both) fired when the impulse coupler popped. To me, that says something is 180 out, since the firing order is 1-3-2-4, so #2 is halfway, or 180 deg, out of the entire 4 cylinder sequence.</p>
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<p>Don't know what to do. Yes, I could pull the mags and retime them MAKING SURE the timing pin is in the LEFT hole (L stamped on each data plate), then retime. But, being lazy, I really don't want to do that until I *know* that's probably the problem. I would bet a dinner that I put it in the L hole to start with....</p> Cool! Always better to have…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-01:2606393:Comment:8627892022-03-01T13:17:29.893ZClint L Goschhttps://zenith.aero/profile/ClintLGosch
<p>Cool! Always better to have something to investigate instead of scratching a head. I think you are close! Keep me posted! </p>
<p>Cool! Always better to have something to investigate instead of scratching a head. I think you are close! Keep me posted! </p> Update: well I mentioned tha…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-01:2606393:Comment:8629542022-03-01T04:42:14.644ZCarl Ortonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/CarlOrton
<p>Update: well I mentioned that with ether I get pops etc, but nothing consistent. Pop, crank some more, a half hearted pop, sigh, etc so I thought I had spark. Tonight as our son was leaving after the game I decided to see if I could see a spark. With crank set for #1 tdc I pulled the prop until impulse coupler popped. No spark. Was low light so thought I might see something. Kept prop in same position and tried #3. Nothing. Tried #4. Wow, STRONG spark at #4. Firing order is 1-3-2-4, so I’m…</p>
<p>Update: well I mentioned that with ether I get pops etc, but nothing consistent. Pop, crank some more, a half hearted pop, sigh, etc so I thought I had spark. Tonight as our son was leaving after the game I decided to see if I could see a spark. With crank set for #1 tdc I pulled the prop until impulse coupler popped. No spark. Was low light so thought I might see something. Kept prop in same position and tried #3. Nothing. Tried #4. Wow, STRONG spark at #4. Firing order is 1-3-2-4, so I’m 90 deg premature in my firing. I THOUGHT the plug wire harness cap would only install in one orientation. The engine was static with cam n crank timing marks aligned when I installed the mags with the Slick timing pin in each mag, so I don’t THINK the mags are installed wrong. But at least I have something to investigate. </p> Hmm, bummer... now that I t…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-01:2606393:Comment:8629522022-03-01T04:13:33.321ZClint L Goschhttps://zenith.aero/profile/ClintLGosch
<p>Hmm, bummer... now that I think about it, even if the float level is off it should still start and idle. Odd that neither the idle circuit or the main jet seem to be feeding fuel enough to run even at idle. Seems like you were able to confirm spark with the starting fluid, so it sure does seem to be a fuel delivery issue. You might try removing the carb again and blast some sea foam fogging oil down into the main jet while moving the mixture lever. Keep the bowl drain removed and see…</p>
<p>Hmm, bummer... now that I think about it, even if the float level is off it should still start and idle. Odd that neither the idle circuit or the main jet seem to be feeding fuel enough to run even at idle. Seems like you were able to confirm spark with the starting fluid, so it sure does seem to be a fuel delivery issue. You might try removing the carb again and blast some sea foam fogging oil down into the main jet while moving the mixture lever. Keep the bowl drain removed and see what kind of (if any) gunk flushes out. If anything flushes out, might as well send the carb out for an overhaul, who knows what else might be in there. Do the same for the tiny holes in the throttle body near the butterfly. Might be good enough to get something to light off. I guess I'm wondering if the previous owner used auto fuel, if they did its possible some of the small passages got gummed up during storage... maybe... I recommend fogging oil opposed to anything with strong solvents. I'm kind of paranoid about the gaskets in these old carbs, but maybe someone with more experience can chime in. Hope this helps!</p> Hi, Clint; good to hear from…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-01:2606393:Comment:8626212022-03-01T03:00:59.545ZCarl Ortonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/CarlOrton
<p>Hi, Clint; good to hear from you.</p>
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<p>I guess it's possible the fuel level is off; I drained the fuel bowl from the bottom drain, but didn't catch what came out, so no idea how many ounces came out. I'm aware of using the sight tube to ascertain fuel level. When I bench-tested the accelerator pump, I did fill it thru a hose/fitting to the normal fuel inlet port, so it's not stuck.</p>
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<p>The engine came out of a 150 that had a prop strike. Carb was on that engine. Was…</p>
<p>Hi, Clint; good to hear from you.</p>
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<p>I guess it's possible the fuel level is off; I drained the fuel bowl from the bottom drain, but didn't catch what came out, so no idea how many ounces came out. I'm aware of using the sight tube to ascertain fuel level. When I bench-tested the accelerator pump, I did fill it thru a hose/fitting to the normal fuel inlet port, so it's not stuck.</p>
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<p>The engine came out of a 150 that had a prop strike. Carb was on that engine. Was running just fine up to the point of stoppage.</p>
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<p>I've tried pumping the throttle and cranking while it was cracked, 1/2 way, and full throttle. Nothin'....</p> Hi Carl, It does sound fuel…tag:zenith.aero,2022-03-01:2606393:Comment:8628722022-03-01T01:42:40.840ZClint L Goschhttps://zenith.aero/profile/ClintLGosch
<p>Hi Carl, It does sound fuel related but I can honestly say you can see the spark, but even more so you can FEEL it if not careful! :) You mentioned the accelerator pump worked on the bench, were you able to fill the bowl through the normal inlet? Just wondering if the float is stuck? Or maybe the fuel level in the bowl is not correct, since it's a used carb it's hard to safely assume anything. The float level can be checked by attaching a short piece of clear tubing to the carb…</p>
<p>Hi Carl, It does sound fuel related but I can honestly say you can see the spark, but even more so you can FEEL it if not careful! :) You mentioned the accelerator pump worked on the bench, were you able to fill the bowl through the normal inlet? Just wondering if the float is stuck? Or maybe the fuel level in the bowl is not correct, since it's a used carb it's hard to safely assume anything. The float level can be checked by attaching a short piece of clear tubing to the carb drain. Also, while cranking do you have the throttle approximately 1/4" open? </p>