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I bought a new to me Colt with a tail wheel conversion in July and it was running great, put about 30 hours on it so far. Engine is the O-235-C1B. It came with 6.00x6 tires and I put on 26" Goodyears about 5 hours ago. Since I did the tire swap after start up the engine will die like its running out of fuel. Once I do the run up and mag check it runs fine. I feel like the steeper angle from the taller tires may be causing fuel to run out of the carb while the plane is shut down causing air to get into the fuel line somehow. While taxing to the run up area if I can catch it trying to die fast enough I can pump the throttle a few times and it picks back up for 20-30 seconds and try's to die again. After run up it runs great and isn't an issue until the next cold start. Plane has the stock gascalotor and a new fuel hose from the gascolator to carb. Has anyone else ever had this problem and how do you fix it?
Last edited by txfirefighter628; 12-02-2022 at 02:02 PM.
When was the carb rebuilt? My C1 has issues and up til last week I thought it was the carb.. it has been hard to start, but last week I left the key on both and hit the starter and not even one full blade she was off to the races. I am wondering if my left mag is not working right.. it is only 6 years old and less 400 hours.. may have been overhauled and not new.. anyway maybe your carb needs cleaned? Mine does not quit like you say yours does.. mine runs perfect after getting it to start.
It is possible there is an issue with float height or seepage around the seam between the carb halves. It is also possible that as the plane sits with, presumably, the fuel turned off, some evaporates from the carb lowering the level but no fuel comes in. When you turn fuel on it doesn't fill the bowl as it used to because of the angle and if the float height may be a bit off it could take awhile to even out. It can also be the new angle is allowing air to get into the line and creating a bubble. Check and see if part of your fuel line from the gascolator to the carb is above the carb. Or maybe this is just why the last owner sold the airplane, lol.
When was the carb rebuilt? My C1 has issues and up til last week I thought it was the carb.. it has been hard to start, but last week I left the key on both and hit the starter and not even one full blade she was off to the races. I am wondering if my left mag is not working right.. it is only 6 years old and less 400 hours.. may have been overhauled and not new.. anyway maybe your carb needs cleaned? Mine does not quit like you say yours does.. mine runs perfect after getting it to start.
If the left mag is a Slick I would pull it and check the E gap internal timing. Been there done that twice to correct hard starting. One other time I had it be an internal timing problem with a Bendix on my Vag. The magnetic impulse needs to be maximum when the points just break contact for maximum spark when starting.
Its easy to adjust with a Slick. No so easy with the Bendix.
Last edited by Gilbert Pierce; 12-03-2022 at 09:06 AM.
One more thing to check, intake tubes and condition of the rubber connection sections. I recently had an issue where I was struggling to keep engine running (O320). Went around and ensured all the clamps were tight on the rubber connections. Seems to have solved my problem.
Would stumble and quit especially at start up trying to keep it running. Once I got it warmed up and able to do run up, was smooth and mag / carb heat checks were all good.
From what I learned, small intake air leak really messes with the low idle initial start up. Think that was the issue I was facing.
I now have those intake hose sections on my plan to replace at next annual.