RC Airplane Maintenance – Carburetor Basics

RC Airplane Maintenance – Carburetor Basics

The old saying, “Takeoffs are optional, but landings are mandatory,” certainly applies to RC pilots. But if your engine is not properly adjusted, the landing pattern and touchdown can be a very iffy proposition. Two-stroke glow engines must have a solid and reliable idle; it’s even more important than all-out top-end rpm. Let’s examine the basics and see what can affect your engine’s performance.

RC Airplane Maintencance - Carburetor Basics

To adjust the low-end needle valve, you have to use a fine tip screwdriver. For safety’s sake, be sure to stop the engine before you adjust it.

RC Airplane Maintencance - Carburetor Basics

With a single-needle carb, there is a small air-bleed hole in the front for the low-end idle mixture. You adjust the mixture screw to open and close the hole to adjust amount of air that enters the carb at low throttle settings.

THE BASICS
The carburetor is the part of the engine where fuel is mixed with air before it enters the engine case. The air passes though the opening at the top of the carburetor and enters the venturi, a long tapered tube that speeds up the airflow into the engine. The increase in air velocity causes a drop in pressure, which draws the fuel from the tank. In the middle of the venturi (at the low-pressure zone) is a brass tube assembly called the spray bar. The fuel passes through the spray-bar jet and then mixes with the incoming air.

The air portion of the air/fuel mixture is regulated by the large aluminum barrel that rotates to increase and decrease the size of the intake hole. The flow of fuel is adjusted by one or two needle valves at one or both ends of the spray bar.

Older 2-stroke engines (and many 4-strokes) have a single high-end needle valve to adjust the mixture at full throttle and a small air-bleed hole in the front of the carburetor to adjust the idle mixture. As the throttle barrel closes, it opens the air-bleed hole to the venturi. A small idle-mixture screw meters the amount of air entering the carburetor. Opening the air-bleed hole lets more air in and leans the idle mixture, and closing it lets less air in to richen the mixture.

Two-needle carburetors (as the name implies) are equipped with two needle valves, one for the high-end mixture adjustment, and a secondary low-end needle valve (sometimes referred to as the low-speed needle) to adjust the idle mixture. When you turn the high-end needle clockwise (screwing it in), it leans the mixture by restricting the amount of fuel that enters the carburetor. Turning it counterclockwise (unscrewing it) richens the mixture by allowing more fuel to flow. Usually, the low-end needle is smaller than the high-end needle, and in some cases, you’ll need a fine-tip screwdriver to adjust the idle mixture because it is recessed into the center of the throttle arm. When you turn the low-end needle clockwise, it richens the idle mixture, and turning it counterclockwise makes the mixture lean.

When the throttle barrel is closed, it also moves laterally, which in turn moves the low-end needle gradually into the fixed spray bar, thus leaning the idle mixture. Of the two types of carburetor, the two-needle type is more sensitive to adjustments and provides faster throttle response through the midrange.

 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Besides the mechanical differences between single-needle and two-needle carburetors, other things can affect your engine’s performance. Very often a poor engine idle can be traced to one or more of the following:

  •  The fuel system setup.
  •  The distance from the fuel tank to the engine.
  •  The vertical position of the fuel tank relative to the carburetor’s spray bar.
  •  The propeller size and pitch.
  •  The type of glow plug.

When the engine runs, the fuel flows into the carburetor because of the low pressure created in the venturi and higher atmospheric pressure acting on the fuel through the tank vent. The higher outside pressure pushes the fuel toward the lower pressure area. Without a vent, the fuel could not flow. To help increase tank pressure and improve fuel flow, a length of fuel line can be connected to the tank vent and the pressure fitting on the engine’s muffler.

For a fuel system to work at its best, the tank must be located as close to the engine as possible. This is because when the nose of the plane is raised, the fuel flow is affected by gravity, and the draw lessens. Also, the tank should be positioned so its center is between 1/2 and 3/4 inch below the spray bar. This position is a good compromise and provides proper fuel flow for both a completely full tank and an almost empty one.

The size of the propeller also affects your engine’s idle performance. A larger prop with more mass provides a beneficial fly-wheel effect. Smaller, high-revving propellers such as those used with pylon-racing airplanes have less mass and don’t idle very well.

Another important factor is the engine’s glow plug. When an engine idles with an overly rich fuel mixture, the engine will begin to load up with unburned fuel in the crankcase. When the throttle is opened, this unburned fuel will transfer into the combustion chamber, quickly cooling or even killing the glow plug. If this is a recurring problem, first try to lean the idle mixture; but if it continues, use a hotter glow plug or install a plug that’s equipped with an idle bar. The bar helps shield the glow plug’s element from some of the raw fuel to maintain proper operating temperature. Also, for good sport flying, use fuel that contains at least 5 to 10 percent nitro. Using FAI fuels with no nitro content can lead to poor idling performance.

Remember, always be careful when making the high-end needle-valve adjustments, and since you’ll need to use a screwdriver, stop the engine to make the low-end idle mixture adjustments. Make all your initial needle adjustments by 1/4 turns; then, when you get closer to the idle setting, use 1/8 and 1/16 turns to home in on the ideal setting.

It is very important to obtain a reliable idle. More models are damaged because of an engine-out situation during the landing pattern than at any other time during the flight. Learn to properly adjust your carburetor and avoid that dreaded dead-stick landing!

 

RC Airplane Maintencance - Carburetor Basics

Many newer engines such as this Evolution .36 2-stroke, have their high-end needle valve assemblies placed in the rear of their engines away from the prop. It is connected to the carb with a short piece of fuel line.

 

RC Airplane Maintencance - Carburetor Basics

Shown here with the throttle barrel fully open is the spray-bar fuel-jet assembly. The low-end needle assembly is to the left, and the fixed high-end assembly is at the right.

 

RC Airplane Maintencance - Carburetor Basics

As the throttle barrel closes, the low-end needle assembly moves laterally into the fixed spray bar. This is why adjusting the low-end needle affects the high-end mixture adjustment.

 

SETTING THE IDLE

Here’s how I set my idle. Of course, to set up a reliable idle mixture, your engine must first be broken in properly. Be sure to install the propeller you intend to fly with the engine. Also, use a good optical tachometer to check the engine rpm.

Start the engine, let it warm up, remove the glow plug driver and open the throttle fully.

  •  Adjust the high-end needle for maximum rpm, and then richen the mixture for a 200 to 300rpm drop.
  •  Close the throttle to the full-idle position. The engine should idle between 2,500 to 3,000rpm.
  •  After 30 seconds or so, advance the throttle back to full power. If the engine sounds wet (sputters and spits raw fuel out of the exhaust), the engine is loading at idle and the low-end needle valve is set too rich. For safety concerns, stop the engine and lean the idle mixture 1/8 turn (counterclockwise for the air-bleed adjustment screw for the single-needle carburetor, or 1/8 turn clockwise for the two-needle carburetor).
  •  Restart the engine, and readjust the high-end needle for maximum rpm; then richen for the 200 to 300rpm drop. This is important, as when you adjust the idle, the high-end mixture will also be affected. Run the engine at full-open throttle, and then reduce power to idle and wait 30 seconds. Open the throttle fully again and see what happens this time. If the same thing happens, repeat the procedure, and lean the idle mixture another 1/8 turn.
  •  If the engine speeds up but sounds starved of fuel (or quits abruptly) when the throttle is advanced, the mixture is too lean and needs to be richened. It may take several engine starts and stops to home in on the proper needle settings.
  •  Once you find the settings for a smooth and even transition from the full idle to full-open throttle, adjust the idle-stop screw, or adjust your throttle servo travel for the lowest reliable idle speed. An acceptable idle is anywhere from 2,300 to 2,700rpm. Remember, you’re not looking for the absolute lowest idle, you want the lowest reliable idle setting.
By Gerry Yarrish
PHOTOGRAPHS BY HOPE McCALL

Man_newsletter-button_WEB

 

Updated: March 31, 2016 — 11:10 AM

13 Comments

  1. The one thing I always do after a complete tear down and rebuild of my engines is I refer to the manufacture’s manual for needle settings, and start from there. You can download most manuals. If there isn’t one for your engine, find one that is close and use it to get the engine started. Once it’s started adjust the needles from there.

  2. Very informative, but difficult to read because of gray text against white background. Wish font color was black.

  3. Sorry to be a wet blanket, but the author contradicts himself in the low speed adjustment method with a 2 needle valve engine. Initially in the Basics he says When you turn the low-end needle clockwise, it richens the idle mixture, and turning it counterclockwise makes the mixture lean.
    Later in Setting the idle it’s lean the idle mixture 1/8 turn (counterclockwise for the air-bleed adjustment screw for the single-needle carburetor, or 1/8 turn clockwise for the two-needle carburetor).
    First it’s clockwise to richen, then clockwise to lean. I thought it was the latter, but I really can’t remember.
    Apart from that, it’s a good article.

  4. For all the engines I have, this statement is backwards.

    “Usually, the low-end needle is smaller than the high-end needle, and in some cases, you’ll need a fine-tip screwdriver to adjust the idle mixture because it is recessed into the center of the throttle arm. When you turn the low-end needle clockwise, it richens the idle mixture, and turning it counterclockwise makes the mixture lean.”

    That would be correct for the air bleed screw not a two needle carb.
    Please edit – so as not to confuse any newcomers that read this article.

  5. Thanks for the input! Been having trouble with my .91 four stroke of late. Hope this will help

  6. This is one of the most difficult subjects I face at the ‘flying field’ with ‘newbies’!
    I thought Gerry Yarrish did a credible job, although he did contradict himself on which way to turn what. Basically, always adjust the ‘TOP END’ first, to the rich side of peak, then check the idle and adjust accordingly, based on the type of carburetor you have. Remember-‘ air bleed’ means you are adjusting the ‘airflow’- IN is less air, richer mixture, a needle valve is adjusting fuel flow, OUT is more fuel, richer mixture! You have to balance the two needles together which is a little bit at a time. Patience wins out every time, and many variables are involved! Just don’t do like I see a lot, start ‘twiddling the needles’ thinking you are accomplishing something. Use a set procedure to follow and you will be rewarded with a great idling engine and no ‘dead stick landings’!

  7. Great article! I am sure this will be very helpful to a lot of pilots. I have been involved in models since 1958, and not a day goes by when I am at the field that someone asks for help with a maladjusted engine. Your article is a perfect explanation of the correct procedure for tuning . Great Job and keep up the fine work. Frank Cox. AMA 5810

  8. Title of Article should be “Alcohol Carburetors” or “Methanol Carburetors”.
    Nothing here for the gas (petrol) guys.

  9. Hey ‘Dan E’, no problem, I’ll try to help. With a ‘Pumper’ type carb (Walbro, Tillotson, or?), cleanliness is very important! Make sure the fabric ‘valves’ are soft and pliable at the valve end of the carb, check the diaphragm is soft, no holes, the fork for the needle valve(fuel inlet) is level with the body. Look at the needles (high speed and lo speed), the ‘tapers’ are very short, which means it takes very small movements to affect a mixture change. Start with both needles at 1 1/8 turns out. Start and warm up the engine, adjust the ‘top end’ first! These control fuel flow, so in is ‘lean’. Very small movements, remember. Take the spring off the throttle linkage, control the throttle opening totally with the servo, RPM at idle 1500 to 2000. Adjust the idle same as the top end, little bit at a time, should have clean response when right. The ‘pump’ works off of ‘crankcase pulsing’, be sure there is an opening from the engine to the carb base.
    This should get you going!

  10. Gerry, I found this post about carburetor basics to be pretty insightful. Even if someone knew everything about airplanes, a review of the basics never hurt. There seem to be so many parts of an airplane that need to be taken care property that it can get confusing.

    1. Zequek, I am glad you found the article useful. Our hobby is suppose to be fun and we can’t have fun unless our plane perform properly! Cheers
      Gerry!

  11. Hey thanks guys, I found this post to be the most useful one I have read so far, not too much to read yet very insightful, and being new to this I think it’s great, thanks to all giving advise to the beginners, not always easy to find good advise. I like the idea of a set procedure and I will certainly go and set my planes to make sure I don’t end up with a glider, that is if I can manage to glide it in, so best to take your advise. Thanks again.

  12. Gary, I would like to know how putting different carbs or adapting an engine to a carb might affect performance. I am fabricating a sleeve to fit over the intake of a 1.5 cc diesel which will accept an Enya .09 carb. You foresee any problems there? I see Perry carbs, K&B carbs and Meccoa carbs on K&B engines. Does the venturi size vary much, and does the adjustment of the fuel flow via needle adjustment compensate? Thanks.

Comments are closed.

Air Age Media ©
WordPress Lightbox