Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #45972
From: William Wilson <fluffysheap@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Initial Engine (not) starting with EC2 - suggestions appreciated!
Date: Mon, 4 May 2009 00:24:43 -0700
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Blue smoke is typically oil, fuel smoke is usually more of a gray color, not really blue.  If engine has way too much fuel and does not start, it will be flooded, you will be able to smell the gas.

I suspect timing... and also make sure you have got your ignition wires hooked up to the right cylinders.

If all else fails remove engine and replace with a rotary

On Sun, May 3, 2009 at 9:26 PM, James Maher <delta11xd@att.net> wrote:
Mike,
First off great choice of engines.
If is has to be a piston engine the Geo 1.3L is a very good reliable choice.
I completely agree with Ed's analysis of your engine's condition and probable issue.
According to my Geo Metro manual the timing should be 10 deg.BTDC at 700-800 RPM.
The firing order for the 1.3L is 1 3 4 2. Be sure that you have that correct as well.
Blue smoke could also be the result of any oil that may have found it way into the cylinders.
Let us know about your progress.
 
Jim

--- On Sun, 5/3/09, Ed Anderson <eanderson@carolina.rr.com> wrote:
From: Ed Anderson <eanderson@carolina.rr.com>
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Initial Engine (not) starting with EC2 - suggestions appreciated!
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2009, 7:01 PM


Hi Mike,

 

As I understand your situation, you had the engine running for an hour previously until the ignitor/coil combination burned out.  You then redesigned your electrical system using Bob K’s Z19 diagram.  Now you can not get the engine to start and all test’s appear OK.

 

The first axiom of trouble shooting is if things worked before a change and no longer work after a change suspect some problem with what you changed, which sounds like the entire electrical system. 

 

Your injectors are clicking and your spark is sparking if I understand your injector and coil test.  So you should have fuel and fire.  That would lead me to suspect that either you are getting too much fuel or perhaps your ignition timing is not adjusted properly.

 

 I presume you have checked your static timing mark and that is also OK?  I don’t know what it should be for the GEO but for the rotary its set around 30Deg BTDC.  But blue smoke sounds like too much fuel to me – that could be from too much being injected or perhaps more likely - an accumulation of fuel due to failed starts.  My experience is “coughs” as contrasted with “pops” tends to indicate a rich mixture while “Pops’ a lean mixture. 

 

Assuming that your fuel map and EC2 settings are the same before and after wiring change, then I would assume you are getting correct fuel – that would tend then to leave ignition or timing.  Since you are getting spark (Coil test – OK), I would suspect ignition timing.

 

My recommendation is to ensure that your static timing for your ignition is what it should be.

 

I will take a look at Z19, but it would be helpful if you have a copy of your wiring diagram as it is in you installation posted to the list.

 

Ed


From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Mike Fontenot
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 5:22 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Initial Engine (not) starting with EC2 - suggestions appreciated!

 

I have just this weekend gotten my rebuilt electrical system to the point of being able to try and start the engine. I thought I would post what is going on so far, and ask for any advice and suggestions about continued debugging. I'm a noob at this so suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I have the EC2 + EM 2 system, on a GEO 1.3 liter 4 cylinder engine. The electrical system is a 'Z-19', (a la Aeroelectric Connection).  The brand new engine was last started in July 2007 and run for about 1 hour with the EC2/EM2 to a maximum RPM of about 3200, but with different coils. The igniter/coil combination burned out, thus leading to the electrical system redesign. The entire electrical system has been replaced with the Z19.

Here is what I have so far:

5/2/2009- EC2 Diagnostic checks:
EC2 relay check for A & B controller - OK
Injector test - OK
Coil test - OK
EC2 Knob checks (Hex readout) - OK

5/3/2009
Crank Sensor test - OK
Fuel pressure - FP 1 brings pressure to 43 psi. FP 1 + 2 raises pressure to 46 psi. Sound of FP 1 is a steady whine. Sound of FP 2 is kind of up and down, but pressure remains at 43 without variation.  The two fuel pumps are purchased from Tracy/RWS.

When attempting to start a small amount of blue smoke is seen from the muffler. Not much. A few times it sounded like it almost started, but did not. That is the exception. For the majority of attempts to start, the starter motor turns the prop over and the engine coughs but does not start.

Thanks!

--
Mike

================================
Mike Fontenot
Apex Consulting & Services LLC
Lakewood , Colorado
303 / 731-6645
mikef AT apexconsultingservices DOT com
================================


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