Jabiru Phil

Just checked the maint. log and found that the main needle jet size installed was 2.9 mm. as suggested by Jabiru engine department. Sorry for the confusion. Phil.

Cificare and Jetjr. The LAME who fitted the new main jet is O/S on holidays so hard to check out the size. It may have been 2.8 !!!! I was going by memory. I do not have the log entry handy to verify, but I will do and post back. The fuel useage over the 38 hours was 21 lt hour on tacho time opposed to 19-20 previously. (probably nearer 23 if taxi time removed) This change was suggested and supplied by Jabiru as the pistons showed some sign of lean burn when they installed the new Cam. Rod Stiff supplied and paid for installation of the later model Cam at 130 odd hours to bring up to the latest specs, unfortuninately the hardenening showed some breakdown at 235 hours, hence the replacement, again no cost except for freight one way. Hope this explains. Cheers. Phil.

Now Fixed. :clap:Just back from a 38 hour Cape York, Lawn Hill, home. Via QLD coast over 12 days. I never used the choke once. Cold at Birdsville and White Cliffs Sat and Sunday am. The mods done have fixed the cold starting problem for sure. I feel that the mods worth doing including the larger battery in order are the 1.2 mm choke jet drill out, Irridium plugs, 3.8 mm main jet, new solenoid valve. This is the order I would fix first and continue on if still giving problems. I did all my mods except the plugs at the one time, so not sure which one (or two) fixed the problem. Cheers. Phil

The carby/choke mod together with iridium plugs and larger battery has solved the problem. I now can start without choke on cooler mornings. I would reco mend the 1.2 mm choke jet drill out first. I can now confidently arrive at hanger and get a start cheers phil

Me too. (down) I hope that Ian doesnt get upset by some remarks as I would miss this site . I usually compare the plain english with the "gobbledegook" so eventually I should learn something. Phil

I regretfully posted a reply to the Bushman this morning before I had heard of his passing. My condolances to his family. His posts will be missed by Jabbie owners and others. Fly High Jim. Phil.

GOOD NEWS, :big_grin: The 230 now starts first try, infact ony a revolution or two and push in choke. The temp has been cold but not freezing as yet. I am confident that the mods (mainly the choke jet drill out) has solved the problem. The larger battery, new solenoid, earth starter mod have also had an effect. The difference is amazing, just pull out choke and hit the button and push in choke, where before, the choke had to be left on for a minute or so and the gradually pushed in over 20 seconds or so or the motor would stop. Many thanks to the guys for their suggestions. To Bushman...Was the choke jet the mod you had in mind? Regards, Phil.

I want one.

I visited Jabiru factory yesterday and was talking to Don from the engine department about my cold starting problems. He will drill out the CHOKE jet for me which he says should fix. A couple of weeks 'till I get back to the cold mornings for the test. I will report back. Phil.

Very clever:score 009:

Hi bushman many thanks for your offer I promised you a carton for the secret previously which still stands :thumb_up: just call 0418806466 and I will be there one point I have to mention is that we have no issue with the 4 cyl Jabs at all here re cold starting looking forward to your visit. I would gladly visit you if and when convenient if OK Thanks for the contact Phil

Plus 5-7 deg yesterday am and it DID start after 3 tries. The prop turned over very fast. Prior the old battery would have died after 3 tries. Still not right as it should have started sooner I feel. Leads me to look at fuel starvation (non atomising)? etc. Irridium plugs later this week and more cold mornings due. I can accept the 3 tries as long as it does'nt get worse. Phil

Thanks Nong I will try if further trouble phil

Yes Tomo, it starts OK with enough power (revs) usually 3-5 revolutions with choke. The problem seems to be too slow a turnover, so electical or fuel related. Only once have I not been able to start was when moisture condensed inside the cowls and formed water on the coil magnets. Dried them off and OK with jumper leads. My improvements should fix. If we had your warmer weather here there would be no issue as we have no probs during the warmer months. Note your -2 was that the temp when starting? Phil.

My annual subsribtion renewal arrived yesterday. I sent it back with a note saying I would no longer be renewing due to the the authors biased and inaccurate article. So there. Phil.

Alley Only joking about selling. I still have the option of fuel injection should all fail. Thanks for your suggestion but hard to hug an ice lady. Phil

Not too sure what you mean Tomo. Engine needs to spin a lot faster than the supplied battery when very cold conditions. Hence the larger battery will hopefully work. Installing the jump start plug will I hope only be used if the volts are down. My previous two years experience starting this plane on cold mornings was to remove top cowl, pour hot water over carby hook up jumper leads (sometimes) and let it warm up for a few minutes. Including boiling the billy and all of the above takes 20 or so minutes whjich in its self is no big deal. But after camping out at the Finke last June I was left with a good hike to get help. Perhaps if I had waited for the temp to rise in a few hours it may have started. All my original post reasons for the mods are to hopefully not have to walk. Phil.

Frank, The other method that usually works is to pour very hot water over the carby, careful not to get on distributor caps etc, I reckon my battery was on the way out. The new one really whizzes it over. Wonder how long you would be able to run the dryer and still have enough for starting? assuming you are using the planes power for the dryer. Phil.

The cold starting problems are here again. Temp down to 1 deg. recenly (early am) No start I have taken onboard the suggestions from this forum and yesterday had a larger battery (500 crank amps) fitted together with a new I think Lucas brand solenoid and relay. While I had the auto sparky on site I got him to install a jump start plug, passenger side on the side of the dash panel. I have also ordered a solar panel to trickle charge the power pak. Iridium plugs go in at the next service in a couple of weeks. As there is no power at the hanger I have a 1000 watt genset which will run a small heater or hair drier if all of the above fails. If it does I will sell the plane to some lucky guy in a warmer climate than this. I will keep you posted if I have further problems. Phil

Many thanks phil

Thanks for the replies I fly from gravel strips and note that gravel could be lodged on elevator at take off. Heard of a incident some time ago Jack, what glue did you use? Regards phil

Hi all, Any info on replacing the tape covering the elevator hinge would be appreciated. What to buy and method of removing old glue? Phil.

I pm'd nz but no reply as yet he may be away guess we will hear soon phil

Thanks Dexter

Not able to connect I tried numerous times last night and today. Anybody else having probs? Phil.