glo plugs

[Bootlegger]

  I am currently using Thunderbolt long reach idlebar glow plugs, and I am having some run problems.
 It will not run consistantly, it shuts off in manuvers, and just runs "ratty".

  What plugs are y'all using in your engines< I'm talking O S Brodak and Fox engines so it is avariety.
  Also I am using Morgan C/L fuel that is supposed to be 10-22 half and half.
 All the engines ran well when last run, no more than a year ago, so I am looking for "what ales" these beasts!!!

    Al help/suggestions will be appreciated...

[Bill Little]

Brother Gil,

Don't know what to tell you.  I use the Thunderbolt plugs with no problems.  There is a possibility that you *might* be getting "taters" on the filament.  These are little deposits attributed to castor, supposedly.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Steve Helmick]

First thing I'd try is fresh glowplugs. It might help to run the heads and glowplugs through the crockpot/antifreeze. If I was running the crockpot anyway, I'd try it, but I've never used my crockpot yet. I love my Thunderbolt glowplugs. I use the idle bar long or the old 4-cycle plugs, haven't tried the newer 4-cycle/big bore () glowplug from Thunderbolt (Ohlsson).

I've never used Morgan fuel of any sort, but I'd certainly try another brand. We get Powermaster, Wildcat and SIG without a huge hassle, so I stick with those. They do run a little differently. Wildcat seems to bother my eyes, and SIG is said to grow "taters" on glowplugs, but I haven't experienced that, only running a gallon here and there.  Maybe you can get some fuel from Lou, SIG, Fox or Rich's for a trial? I think a change of fuel or a fresh glowplug will fix your problems.   Steve

[Jim Hoffman]

Steve Helmick is correct. 
1)Try new plug, even if you don't see deposits on the coil (taters)
2)FRESH fuel

If that is not it, look for carbon build up on the piston

Hope this is helpful

Jim Hoffman

[Paul Allen]

Had an interesting thing happen yesterday while flying,motor just stopped dead.Landed and checked everything, removed plug
and tested, glowed OK, restarted the engine as soon as the glow driver was removed it shut down. Removed the plug and had closer
look,there was something on the coil of the plug.It turned out to be some RTV sealant that I had used to seal the muffler to engine
joint. I need to make sure I just use enough to do the job with no excess that can be squeezed out.

[Bootlegger]

  Guy's I sure do appreciate all the advice, had something happen yesterday, had the engine on the bench, fired it up,
 it ran for a few seconds after removing the driver, then shut down, I re fired it and the same thing, so I changed the plug and away it went for several runs.
  Bad glow plug!!     Again thanks for the help... 

[john e. holliday]

I have had that with glo plugs thru the years.   It doesn't matter the brand or range, if they go bad, replace them even if they still glo.   I have read where guys have changed plugs before official flights on  contest day.  Yes, I had a brand new plug quit after a test run.  At the marathon for Ringmasters, used one plug for the weekend that was in the plane from last years marathon.   You wouldn't beleive the brand plug, but it was one of the old reliable 1.5 volt Fox plugs. 

[Brett Buck]

I have had that with glo plugs thru the years.   It doesn't matter the brand or range, if they go bad, replace them even if they still glo.   I have read where guys have changed plugs before official flights on  contest day. 

   Not a good idea! Many times the first few minutes run differently. Change it before practice flights at a contest.

    Brett

[Don Curry AMA 267060]

I our r/c club several people were using an after run oil ( I don't remember the brand ) that had a silicone additive in it and it would kill the glo pugs. They would run with the battery connected and die as soon as it was removed. When the plugs were checked they looked fine they did not show any growths or distortion but they would not work.
Don

[Bootlegger]

 Don, thanks for that tid-bit of info on after run oil.  Do you know what brand it is?  I have been using Marvel Mystery Air Tool Oil for a number of years with all of the glow plugs that I have used without any problems.

 Again thanks,

[Jim Kraft]

I had trouble several years ago with fuel. I do not remember now what brand it was, but I had to filter it through a coffee filter. It would even plug up the coffee filter after running about a pint through it, and I would have to move to a new place on the filter. After filtering it, it ran fine. Never had a problem with the next case of fuel, just that one.

[SteveMoon]

I use OS-F plugs in almost everything. From .25 engines to .72 4S motors
I use this plug. Have always had great luck with it.

Steve

[John Leidle]

  There are several plug that work,  Enya #3 , Hanger 9,      4 cycle   are 2 i use pretty hot
You might try a fuel that isnt so cool.
  john