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Cold starting a 912, maybe bad advice

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charlieboccaccio(at)yahoo
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:16 am Post subject: Cold starting a 912, maybe bad advice

Last week, up in the mountains in Mexico's Sierra Madre,  the battery in my Kitfox 3 was dead after spending the night with the master on. Ambient temperature was about 42 F, at 4,000 ft field elevation, so It was cool. I was alone and had no way of getting a jump. I have a carb primer system that shoots a few drops of gas into the carbs for start up. So I tied the tail to the tiedown, primed the carbs, ignition on, throttle 1/4 inch open and gave the prop a quick turn with my hand (I have experience with hand proping a J3), and on the first try, the engine started.

   

  My experience with cold starts is usually associated with fuel not getting to the engine. After I installed the carburator primer, the engine starts always after cranking the engine no more then 3 prop turns. This saves both battery life and starter life.

   

  Charlie



Herbert R Gottelt <gofalke(at)sbcglobal.net> wrote:

  



According to Lockwood, the cranking speed for the 912 must be 300 RPM or above in order to create a reliable spark for the engine to start.



Herb Gottelt M4-912UL

Mt. Prospect, IL



wingnut wrote:




Started fine this morning at 55F OAT. She was turning over much faster at 350RPM. For now, I'm going to assume for now that the current battery just isn't up to the task on cold days. Thanks for all the help.





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=9086#9086




		

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wingnut

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 356

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Cold starting a 912, maybe bad advice

Hey! A primer system sounds like just the ticket. Even when things work right, the 912 still needs alot of cranking before she will start. Can you tell me more about this system? Is it an 'off the shelf' upgrade I can install on mine?

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charlieboccaccio(at)yahoo
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:25 am Post subject: Cold starting a 912, maybe bad advice

The system is made up of a conventional panel mounted primer pump fed off the main fuel line. A tee coming off the primer pump will split the fuel lines that lead to the two carbs, make a simple conection just under the air filter or just before the carb's air intake(depending on how the filters are installed).

   

   I did not use any sort of atomizer. It takes only ONE stroke to sufficiently prime for a quick start.  To try the system out, I first gave it 3 strokes on the primer and I floaded the engine, but it started rather quickly anyway.



  If you need pictures, I can take them for you and send them.

   

  Charlie

  

wingnut <wingnut(at)spamarrest.com> wrote:

  



Hey! A primer system sounds like just the ticket. Even when things work right, the 912 still needs alot of cranking before she will start. Can you tell me more about this system? Is it an 'off the shelf' upgrade I can install on mine?





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=9390#9390

		

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Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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clint_bazzill(at)hotmail.
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject: Cold starting a 912, maybe bad advice

I have a primer that is extra.  Clint

From: Charles Boccaccio <charlieboccaccio(at)yahoo.com>

Reply-To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Re: Cold starting a 912, maybe bad advice

Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2006 10:22:32 -0800 (PST)

<charlieboccaccio(at)yahoo.com>

The system is made up of a conventional panel mounted primer pump fed off 

the main fuel line. A tee coming off the primer pump will split the fuel 

lines that lead to the two carbs, make a simple conection just under the air 

filter or just before the carb's air intake(depending on how the filters are 

installed).

    I did not use any sort of atomizer. It takes only ONE stroke to 

sufficiently prime for a quick start.  To try the system out, I first gave 

it 3 strokes on the primer and I floaded the engine, but it started rather 

quickly anyway.

   If you need pictures, I can take them for you and send them.

   Charlie

wingnut <wingnut(at)spamarrest.com> wrote:

Hey! A primer system sounds like just the ticket. Even when things work 

right, the 912 still needs alot of cranking before she will start. Can you 

tell me more about this system? Is it an 'off the shelf' upgrade I can 

install on mine?

Read this topic online here:

http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=9390#9390

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Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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wingnut

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 356

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: Cold starting a 912, maybe bad advice

So what's the catch. Why don't all 912UL installations have a primer pump? Seems like a simle enough thing to install and it can really make the difference on those cold mornings.



Do the carbs on the 912UL have some kind of fitting on them that the primer line connects to? Will I need some kind of addapter?

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