| ATTENTION: Please read the directions provided with the product first. This tutorial is meant to be a supplemental guide, and if you don't feel confident in your mechanical apptitude, then you should have a qualified technician assist you with tuning your engine. |
These are common questions and tech tips that we often come across, and we hope this will help you maximize the performance of your Axial engine.
1. BASIC: Maximize your performance by using the correct glow plug for the perfect fit. This tip is meant for plugs other than Axial glow plugs -Axial glow plugs were specifically designed for Axial engines. (*Removal of the button head is not necessary).
There are many brands of glow plugs on the market, and other than temp ranges, they vary in length. Make sure it properly fits flush into the button head (same length of threads as Axial glow plugs). Assuring this, will allow you to get the maximum amount of performance out of your Axial engine.
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| Properly fitted plug optimizes power |
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| The recessed plug results in lower compression and less power. |
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| "Mouse Over" and you'll notice that the glow plug does not properly sit flush to the button head. |
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| Different length of thread |
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2. BASIC: Don’t over prime the engine when trying to start.
Too much fuel in the engine will force fuel out of the front bearing due to it having no where else to go (all engines do this). So while priming, when you see fuel go into the carburetor stop at that point. This may take only a second or two, it all depends upon the pressure applied (not a lot of pressure is required). Also keep in mind that only a small amount of fuel is required to start an engine.
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| Only a small amount of fuel is required to start an engine |
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3. INTERMEDIATE: Stock break in settings from the factory are not tuned for maximum performance.
The setting that come stock on your engine are for break-in purposes (first couple of tanks). To begin tuning for performance, the low-end and main needle will need adjustment. It's best to tune the low-end needle and idle first, then tune your main needle. Adjustments are done in tiny increments - looking at the clock, it's the range of adjustment from 12-to-1 (1 hour = 1/12th of a turn). To fine tune and make sure you get smoke on low-end (give it some throttle from a dead stop) and than thinning out as it reaches the top-end. Remember you should always see some smoke through out the full range.
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| Idle (hi-lighted in red), main needle (hi-lighted in red), mid-range needle (do not adjust), and low-speed needle. |
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| Counter clockwise turns will richen up your fuel mixture while clockwise will lean out your fuel mixture. |
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4. INTERMEDIATE: Check glow plug from time-to-time to make sure your tune is good.
After running your engine, take the glow plug out and check to see if the glow plug is wet (getting good fuel) or dry (running lean). On the base of the glow plug it should show some signs of wetness. If it does, you're running on the rich side, and that’s what you want. If it’s real dry and discolored, you're running on the lean side, and you need to richen up your settings. It's safer to run rich, than lean (always start your engine on the rich side).
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| Brown discoloration. Glow plug filament may be distorted and is dark grey. Very lean and possible damage to your engine |
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