Light Aircraft Association

I have a problem starting my C90 14F in my Jodel D117. Sometimes when pulling the 'Pull Start' in the cockpit, there is no response. The battery is new and fully charged. The Pull Start cable is tight with no slackness. If I turn the prop by hand through three or four rotations, then it will start first pull. This problem is there whether cold start or after a short shut-down when the engine is quite hot.

Check the rigging of the pull start lever first of all. I'm sorry I don't have the clearances to hand but I'm sure someone will come up with the correct numbers. Also check that you have a good Engine to Mount Earth to Battery Earth. Any looseness in connections could cause this problem. Are there any other solenoids inline?

A word of caution too: if you have a poor earth, the power will earth through the pull start cable inner and it will glow red hot then break away in your hand. The immediate reaction is to try and shove it back into the hole and you'll end up with some bad burns to your hands.

Sandy,
Thank you. I will have a look at the earths. Re clearances, the travel of the pull start lever is in unison with the travel of the plunger into the back of the engine, so I presumed it was set correct. Many thanks for the response.

Hi Milob,sounds more like an adjustment or electrical problem as Sandy suggests but if it turns out that the clutch is slipping at all then stop using it. These clutches can break up and the pieces will find their way from the accessory case into the engine and cause major damage.
If the clutch is faulty, the best solution is a B&C lightweight starter as new clutches are not available and some of the 'recon' clutches are of dubious quality.

I agree with Brian, once these clutches start to fail then there's no fixing them these days. Sprag Repair kits were available at one time but they were really fiddly to put together and it was very frustrating to find that it had been assembled back to front. I learned that lesson the hard way.

The Continental Engine Manual describes the adjustment of the Delco Remy starter as follows but I suggest you throw it away, replacing it with the B&C starter.

10‑27. ADJUSTMENT
It is very important that the control cable return spring have sufficient tension to hold the starter shift lever in the fully released position. There must be at least 1/16 inch clearance between the clutch shaft end and the shift lever end when the control is released. The shift lever switch contact screw must be adjusted to allow 9/16 inch clutch travel from the released position to the fully engaged position. The last 1/8 inch of clutch movement is made while the shift lever screw is compressing the switch button. When the screw has been adjusted to fulfill these requirements, tighten its lock nut. To check the adjustment, turn the propeller so that the minimum clutch travel is now obtained. The pinion and crankshaft gear teeth are now abutted. The clutch must move from its released position to touch the crankshaft gear, so that there will be a clearance when the control is released. Actuate the control, and determine, by inserting a screwdriver into the clutch shaft end and pushing forward, that the spring cap can be moved at least another 1/16 inch to assure that the switch is making contact.

Brian/Sandy/John

Much appreciated

Michael Breen