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Hard start unless heater used

in General Tech Discussion 7 years ago

  • Re: Hard start unless heater used

    by » 7 years ago

    Hi John,

    The carbs could be flooding either due to the float armature being out of adjustment or a heavy float. Both would make the engine hard to start. Un-Synced carbs could also be an issue. One choke opening different from the other could also cause a harder start. Maybe you need to have the carbs cleaned and especially the idle jet. I would definitely do this one just to rule it in or out.

    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-349-7056 Cell

      
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  • Re: Hard start unless heater used

    by » 7 years ago

    Alan and all,

    Tried the spark plug removal and found there was no spark. Removed the other plug and again, no spark. I didn't have a heat gun or hair drier to instantly heat the ignition modules and test the theory further. This could have been the issue all the time for the current owner. If I remember correctly, he installed the heater in 2015 but I'm unsure what prompted him to install it. It's located near Sacramento CA so it's not really in a cold weather zone. I finally contacted a Rotax Guru in the area so I'm going to have him do a pre-buy inspection. The current owner says he will pay for all repairs prior to the sale.

    What are the odds of both modules having the same issue? Does it have anything to do with installation/setup of the modules. I'm new to Rotax and don't know what the issues were with the modules you mentioned as being defective from the factory.

    Thanks to everyone who replied. I appreciate your help. It's great to be a member of such a helpful community. I'm so glad I found this owners group.

    John E
      
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  • Re: Hard start unless heater used

    by » 7 years ago

    John,
    The modules fail one at a time. The failure is such that when the module is cool it will not generate a spark below a certain rpm so when one fails it will still start on one module and then the other, failed, module will begin to spark. When the second fails, now you notice it. It only seems to be a problem on the first start of the day. Contact Lockwood and explain your problem. If you can satisfy their requirements they will sell you updated modules 2 for the price of 1. Good luck.

    Alan
      
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  • Re: Hard start unless heater used

    by » 7 years ago

    Hi John,

    Do this one little test before anything else. Get a gallon zip lock with ice in it. Then just wrap or drape it around the ignition modules for about 30 minutes. Try and start it. If it starts right up replace the modules. It may be the starting circuit in the modules. One may have been bad for a while and eventually the other gave up the ghost to.

    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-349-7056 Cell

      
    Report
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