Installing the fuel tank...

My AAA NiMh battery pack, successfully soldered and covered with heat shrink

Rudder control horn and control rod installed.

Elevator control rod and horn.

Aileron servos, control rods and control horns.

Plywood skids glued at the bottom to protect the bottom of the fuselage from stones while landing.

Putting all the components in the fuselage (Very tight fit)

Ready to fly 

Went to fly the plane today.......
Spent two hours trying to get the engine to start, without success.
*sigh* Back to the test stand   

Engine doesn't seem to be sucking enough fuel. It starts up alright but then stops within half a minute. After it stops, it has no fuel in the chamber and I need to prime it again. I have checked the fuel line and there are no bubbles. Planning on dismantling the engine and checking inside for dirt or other things that may be blocking the path of fuel.

Saw a video online for the .49 sure start engine. What they do is they keep the fuel tank above the level of engine so that fuel can flow into the engine. That could be a reason, please consider.

As per my understanding in most of the engines there is a air line that goes from exhaust to the fuel tank which provides pressure and the fuel rises into the intake of engine. However we dont this kind of architecture in this case. So would suggest try mounting the fuel tank above the level of engine.

Regards

How many number of turns you are opening after fully closing the Needle? I hope it is three.

You do seem to have a air vent. I hope it is above the fuel level in air inside tank?

If it all above it correct then I think you should check the reed valve and the Needle washer.

If it is a old engine running after a long time. I think you should open and clean all the above once in fuel.

Nice build by the way. Its a beauty.   Film could have been shrunk more to give it a smooth finish.

@punty. Cox do not need air pressure line. And fuel tank has to be kept level with the cam. Even if kept low it can suck fuel being a reed valve engine.

@Sundaram.. Thanks for correcting me sir:)

Actually I wasnt sure about this thats I said saw it in a video. Do have a cox engine but didnt get a chance to learn it.

@Sundaram
Sir the air vent is as high as it can possibly get, if you look at the attached picture, the air vent pipe rests in the notch at the top of the tank.
I am running the engine at 4 turns of the needle. The manual suggests 3 turns however, this engine does not start at three. I have run it a few times before and it started at 4-1/2 turns, reaching full power at 4 turns. I even test ran the engine on the test stand before I started building the plane and it ran for the complete tank without any problems.
All that aside, it is an old engine and not very well maintained. It is about 8-10 years old. I got it with a Cox control line plane that my dad bought when I was a child and it was started a few times then, but then the plane broke in transit and it lay in a drawer until very recently (about 2 years ago). Even then, I just put in fuel and started the engine as I was scared of opening it, so basically it has never been cleaned from inside.
Hence I plan on opening it and cleaning it with fuel. The cox manual suggests leaving it overnight in isopropyl rubbing alcohol and then dipping it in fuel for 5 minutes to re-lubricate the parts. Is this suggestible? Also, can I leave all parts of the engine in rubbing alcohol?

1. You are using straight fuel (without nitromethane) it will make a difference in your needle setting. Nonetheless, try cleaning your needle valve assembly thoroughly: there may be some kachra

2. Be careful not to put rubber and plastic parts in alcohol

Ok, thank you sir

Anytime

maahin : try to clean with WD40. am using same for cleaning the carb of my nitro buggy

Amazing and detailed build log. Thanks a lot for putting such a detailed build log. Hard to believe that its hand cut

Finally managed to get the engine running. Had to chuck the thinner Cox fuel line for regular silicone fuel line. Now it's running perfect.

I shall maiden the plane tomorrow. Will post the video.
Very very nervous.

Don't be

best of luck for tomorrow. will be your first flight since the holiday right


Subbu

Nah, I flew my Seagull 40 this Sunday

good for you, its raining all the time in here

Subbu