Fast Fuel Fixes

Fast Fuel Fixes

Properly installed, your fuel system will last a very long time and may never need to be changed. In a hard landing, however, some of its parts may be dislodged and stop working. Here are some common fuel-flow problems and fixes.

> If your engine begins to run lean, check for small pinholes in the fuel-supply line. Check closely wherever here are tight bends in the line, or where it comes ino contact with your model. Leaks commonly occur where the lines pass through the firewall. A better method of installation is to drill small holes in the firewall and use lengths of brass tubes in the holes. You can then slip the fuel lines over the brass tubes to complete the system.

 

 

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | Fast Fuel Fixes

> After a hard landing, the flexible pick-up tube and clunk inside the fuel tank may be forced all the way forward. This often goes unnoticed until the next flight, when the tank stops delivering fuel to the engine in a nose-high altitude. To prevent this, solder a short piece of brass tube to your clunk. This decreases the pick-up tube’s flexibility but still allows it to draw fuel in normal flying attitudes.

 

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | Fast Fuel Fixes

> If your engine begins to run erratically, chances are that some debris has gotten into the fuel system and is blocking the carb. It usually finds its way into the fuel tank from your fuel jug, and if it blocks the fuel flow, your engine will die. The easiest way to prevent this is with an in-line fuel filter. You install it just before the carb in the supply line. You can also install a filter in your fuel-pump line so you can fill the tank only with filtered fuel. Add a combination fuel clunk/filter and you’ll have a triple defense against deadsticks.

 

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Updated: March 31, 2016 — 10:48 AM

3 Comments

  1. Hi Debra Cleghorn ,
    I have to make a comment because of your statement at the end of this article .While I do commend this Magazine since it was around in the beginning of Model airplanes and for it’s long run, I will disagree that it has Always been the Bible of R/C ….. That honor is was held by RCM -Radio Control Modeler in it’s run from 1964-2004 for those 40 years. People that where into R/C read informative articles that it shared. This belief is well known by anybody that has been into R/C for more that 10-20 years . I do believe that MAN does share good info ,however your magazine has turned into more of an advertisement for Manufacturers ,and in turn so has many of the Test reports and Flight test reviews. Again I commend your Magazine and have read it for years,even when RCM was around,but your assumptive accolade hits a sore spot since I personally knew Chuck Cunningham and what he did in the R/C Industry. Keep your eyes open to a near future announcement about Chuck in the AMA Model Aviation magazine .FWIW, I do enjoy your emailed digital edition articles from the Magazine.
    Keep up the good work !
    Steve

  2. Thank you this is a good article I use some of your suggestions all ready but I picked up new ones from your article thank you again. Suggestion I when I store an airplane I turn it upside down nose down and drain all the fuel from the exhaust port, also I use a filter on the exhaust line to prevent exhaust in the tank if possible then when filling the tank the overflow flushes the filter

  3. Best solution to fuel problems and glow engine flame outs is to step up to a gasoline powered engine that utilizes a pumper style carburetor. No tank pressure problems, air leaks don’t affect the combustion cycle as much as alcohol based engines. The pumper style engines will collapse a fuel tank if not vented adiquatly, I’ve done it haha. But in all honesty I still luv my glow engines. Never had a problem with one, but I replace all my fuel lines and filters every season and always keep a bit of fuel in the system to keep it from gumming up between flights and storage.
    I’m sure someone will come on here with the “electric” solving all fuel issues haha.
    Happy flyin!!!!

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