Starting Problems - Second Owner

[n518jh]

My 2012 RV0-12 has 380 hours, half from builder, half from me. Recently the plane has become increasingly difficult to start, and now- it won't start. After several tries, after checking one of the carbs for fuel in the bowl, I purchased some starting fluid to see whether the issue is linked to the carbs. spraying a good deal of starting into each carb air filter, when I turned the engine over with full battery power, not a hint of starting. My next step is to pull a spark plug lead and take an new plug, hook it to the lead, hold it on the engine and have someone turn the engine over to look for a spark. Does anyone have better, more experienced opinions on what the sequence should be to track down the problem? The builder is long gone. Mark

[moosepileit]

Troubleshooting this engine does not include either starting fluid nor abusing the ignition components.

Please acquire skilled mechanical help familiar with the 91x family. Missing the real problem has already happened.

[alexe]

Hi Mark,

You are on the right track. See if there is spark at the plugs. If not, look at the ignition modules. If spark is present, look back at the carbs again to see if the floats are sunk in the bowls and the engine is flooding as a result of that. I would bet my money on that being the cause.

Alex

[KALEWIS]

Have you experienced ?kickback? when trying to start? Issue could be with a clutch that aids in starting the engine. I apologize for not being specific but I can?t recall the correct nomenclature at the moment.

[EXflyer]

Never use starting fluid the engine could be internally damaged without showing any signs after starting only to have them show up later say, in flight. Just a whiff could be enough we used it to start some diesel engines but very little even with them.
I agree you need to find a mechanic before proceeding further and watch how he trouble shoots a no start. Also in the long run that prevents another problem I have seen happen, keep replacing parts until it works.
Good luck and there is a lot to learn about and a steep learning curve too. I one time in damp cold weather had an AC, C180, kick a few times then nothing, cause? Damp air, cold weather, spark plugs frosted over had to take the top ones out and warm them up. Seattle weather in the winter cold.

[scottmillhouse]

Before getting excited make sure that you have a good/fully charged battery for adequate cranking speed. A weak battery with a low crank speed may not start a Rotax.

[RFSchaller]

The only one I experienced hard starting (and I mean almost no starting) was when a west coast ROTAX shop swapped my choke units during carburetor overhaul. Since you didn?t mention any recent carburetor work maybe you have a failed choke or both failed.

[DaveWelch]

Recommend a search for "hard start" in this (RV-12) forum.

Also, search the Rotax forums.
Join "FlyRotax" if you haven't already

[BigJohn]

Any resplution to the hard starting problem?

[Azjulian]

And are you located at Glendale ? More than happy to take a look for you, we can run through the initial engine linkages and carb setup and return everything back to manual spec to start with.