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[AndyB]

I am still having problems with my Irvine 72 marine engine, I have bought a 24volt starter and 2 batteries so turning the engine over is no issue anymore. When starting i release the glow plug and i can get it to start but won't stay running either at idle or when the throttle increases, i have turned the needle valve all the way in and out 3 turns however after continual attempts to start it appears there is fuel coming out the top with the glow plug loose and it appears to be running due to the exhaust smoking but as soon as the starter is released the engine stops. Is this flooded? or anyone have any idea what i can do to get this sorted as very soon otherwise it will will located in the depths of my loft for someone else to find in years to come.
Would i do better buying a new engine with a pull start rather than belt

[andyn]

Fuel does come out of the top with the plug loose, it comes up the threads. It sounds as if you have loosened it too much, try only loosening the plug by about quarter or half of a turn, it's only to let the starter turn the engine over easier, as it decreases the compression in the engine.


If not, could be too lean or rich, how much smoke is coming out of the exhaust? If there's plumes of smoke and the wife is shouting at you for getting the washing dirty, then it's far too rich, if there is hardly any, it is too lean. Sounds like it is too lean.

[AndyB]

Ok, i will give that a try, i am going to ask something really stupid now and that is can you confirm that if you undo the needle its leaner. There is not a huge amount of smoke while it is turning over with the starter and when the motor is spinning i turn the plug tight but wont keep running on its own

[andyn]

You undo the needle to let more fuel through, thus making it richer. From this it sounds way too lean at both bottom and top ends.

[AndyB]

i will go give that a try, i always thought there was a high speed and low speed adjustment but on this appears you just need to find a happy place in between. This seems the worst engine i have ever had. I turned the needle out about 3 turns does that sound about right or is every engine very different. thanks

[andyn]

Sounds about right, don't give up on it, as you have reaslised yourself, every single engine ever made is different, and will change one week and weather condition to the next. Where abouts are you located? If you can make a trip up to Stevenage one day Greg Sadler will sort it out without batting an eyelid...

[w3bby]

Simple things first, is the glow plug whole? I only ask as with my own limited experience with glow motors I tried just about anything before I checked the plug....

[andyn]

That is a point yes, didn't think of that, if it is firing though it should be ok

Do you only run sparkie multi's then w3bby?

[AndyB]

thanks for your repies i will try this tomorrow as starting it now may annoy the neighbours, I have checked the glow plug and it does glow, i do have a new one I can put in to make sure though
Thanks and i maybe back tomorrow

[andyn]

Great stuff, never give up, I was racing Z Class yesterday and in the second heat I had so many problems I only managed to get 2 laps in, in a 15 minuit race. But at least I never gave up, even when it refused to get even halfway around the course I was still frantically fettling in the pits to get it going again when I got it back...

Best of luck with it