[Riddick]

I have a new DLE 55 and I'm lookikng for tuning advice. I have 1 tank through it so far and have alot of black wet exhaust discharge form the pipe. Is this normal or am I to rich? The main gear and wheel pant are coated with it. I'm running 32:1 Redline oil for break in as sugested. The carb is set in factory settings and I'm at 2000rpm at idle. Please help. I think it's too rich but I'm not sure.

[Oilsands]

Yes the black exhaust is normal in a new motor, it will clear up in a few tanks.
To tune the motor you want to tune the H needle first as it effect the L needle. I tune the needle with the motor running, so you do have to be aware of the safety of yourself. Biggest things to watch for it the turning prop. Turning the needle in will leaning the setting, turning it out will richen the setting.
With the needle in the factory settings, I start the engine and left it idle for a min or so. Then run at wide open throttle (WOT), while at WOT I turn the H needle in (leaning) and listen to the engine rpm. You should here it pick up as you turn it in, keep turning slowly till you where the rpm start to drop. Back the needle out (richen) till it picks up again then just starts to drop again. Stop, that is the H needle setting.
Now go down to idle and have it set around 1700 with the throttle, now start to turn the L needle in slowly and again listen to the engine rpm. It should start to increase, keep turning till it gets to around 2000 rpm stop and adjust the engine rpm with the throttle back down to the 1700. Keep doing this till you get to a point where when turning the L needle in the engine rpm starts to drop. Back it off till the engine rpm starts to drop.
Once that is done, check the transition by quickly going to WOT. If it studders, richen the L needle a bit. Check again and keep richening the L needle till the transition is smooth.
Once that is done, check the H needle again (turn the needle in till the rpm drops and back off till it picks up then just starts to drop). Then again check the transition from idle to WOT.
That should be it, go fly and have fun.

The other thing, is if you change the oil ratio you will need to tweak the needles again. When tweaking the needle, it is a good idea to richen them both a little bit and go though the procedure I mentioned above.
If at any time you go to adjust the needle and when you lean them and the engine rpm drops your too lean, richen them till the rpm picks up then stop when it starts to drop.

[Oilsands]

Some motors the needle can be safely reached while the engine is running, some can not. For those that can not, you will have to start and stop the motor as you tune the needles.

[Riddick]

thanks, that is what I was looking for. I have the cowl off and it's a rear carb so much safer.
Another question is do you use a temp gun to measure head/exahust temps? if so, what are safe temps.

thanks

[michel gravelle]

Hi
Here ,..................
http://tech.flygsw.org/walbro_tuneup.htm
http://www.coastalplanes.com/article...ineTuning.html


Michel

[Oilsands]

I have used a temp gun, but found that it is not really needed unless you have engine troubles that may be cooling related.

[Flyinbullmax]

Originally Posted by michel gravelle

Hi
Here ,..................
http://tech.flygsw.org/walbro_tuneup.htm
http://www.coastalplanes.com/article...ineTuning.html


Michel

Hi, Give Michel a props just for his involvement in engine tuning and helping others.... No one is better.
Cheers

JP

[Riddick]

Thanks for your help guys, very helpfull.

[MikeCam]

If your still on factory settings then yes your too rich. Gassers need to be tuned the first tank. No need to run rich, it is not a glow engine. The extra oil is for break in.
When you can let the engine idle for 3 minutes and it still rev's up instantly then your very close on the low end. Set the high end for the rich side of peak, do not richen the high end down from peak, it is not a glow engine. Go back and forth a few times on the needles to get it right. The high speed needle does not effect the low speed range but the low end does effect the entire range of the engine.
When your engine will not take any throttle at all after the first start of the day then your close. Nice tan plug is what your aiming for. After that is done then you can worry about temps. Tuning and airflow cooling can be two very different things.

[Riddick]

Thanks, It was to rich on the low end. The plug was oily after a good ten minute run. I'm getting it dialed in. thanks for your help.