The last few flights I've had a terrible time getting my '73 PA28-180 started. The starter spins the prop quickly, and the battery shows no signs of tiring after multiple attempts (I do let it cool down for a while after 3 tries).
The mixture seems good too. I hear the engine making good combustion. However, it doesn't seem to be producing power and dies when I let off the starter. Eventually it catches and goes, but it takes 3-6 tries. Every once in a while it spins the prop backwards when it fires.
I'm thinking it could be the impulse coupling. If the ignition isn't getting delayed as it should, that would explain the lack of power.
I'm also wondering if maybe the starter gear isn't getting out of the way fast enough, though that theory doesn't make as much sense to me.
Any thoughts? Are there other possibilities I'm not considering? Is there a good way to verify my impulse coupling theory?
The mixture seems good too. I hear the engine making good combustion. However, it doesn't seem to be producing power and dies when I let off the starter. Eventually it catches and goes, but it takes 3-6 tries. Every once in a while it spins the prop backwards when it fires.
I'm thinking it could be the impulse coupling. If the ignition isn't getting delayed as it should, that would explain the lack of power.
I'm also wondering if maybe the starter gear isn't getting out of the way fast enough, though that theory doesn't make as much sense to me.
Any thoughts? Are there other possibilities I'm not considering? Is there a good way to verify my impulse coupling theory?
