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Author Topic: M12 won’t start!  (Read 441 times)

Nike25

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M12 won’t start!
« on: September 14, 2020, 09:50:49 pm »
This is my first post on this site and I could really use some help on a M12 engine I purchased through Microcsm! I followed all the instructions I could find and it started up using the rope and ran for about a minute before turning off the spark.   I was able to restart it again but this time it quit on its own! Since then, I’ve tried checking everything as far as fuel and spark and I’m not sure if the spark is “strong” enough! The attached photo shows the spark.(site wouldn’t take my video file format) Is that enough to make this fire up?  Also noticed the compression is rather low but I’ve read a few posts describing that as “somewhat normal.” Forgot to mention that I’m using Ronson lighter fluid with a small amount of oil. I’ve sent several requests to Microcosm for help but no response! I really would appreciate some help!

Stoker

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2020, 12:07:06 am »
WELCOME TO THE FORUM !!!

I don't own one of these engines, so can't really help much, but that spark looks good enough to me. Several on here do own that engine, and some have had your troubles and got them resolved, while others seem to have had no trouble at all. I suspect in the next day or three, you'll have plenty of help here.

Hope you are provided with the help you need to get it sorted!
"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
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Nike25

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2020, 12:13:19 am »
Thanks!

Raphael

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2020, 12:37:35 am »
Bonjour Nike,
Your spark is correct to u opinion.
I have this engine and had a lot of difficulties to set it before succeeding :    
The principle is to start full throttle, with 1/4 - 1/3 of long the silver neeedle opened then slow down and set the little brass needle +/- 1/2 opened t set the idle.
I use unleaded SP98 gasoline with a drop of 2 strole oil, you will see the result on the table  ;)
I hope this will help you
Raphaël, Membre du Modèle Yacht Club de Paris : http://mycparis.fr/
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Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/rhavrane

Nike25

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2020, 10:05:27 pm »
Raphael,
Thanks for taking the time to respond and post the YouTube videos! Unfortunately for me, it’s in a different language that I don’t know. I noticed from the videos that there are “2 needle valves”! I know the longer one is for the fuel/air ratio and I’m not sure what the shorter one does? Does it do anything besides set the idle speed?  Thanks again for your help!

Adirondack Jack

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2020, 12:50:25 am »
The video by our French friend is pretty good.  There is only one needle valve, the main mixture screw on the side of the carb. It’s going to be quite sensitive. Start with very little opening, and go roughly one clock position at a time (1/12th of a turn) when adjusting. The other adjustment is the idle stop. It’s located on the front of the carb, not far from the exhaust stack. Judging from the video, note the successful idle stop
 setting Is an opening that only spans half of the carb inlet.
Beyond that, insure the engine is getting  strong fuel supply, with no air in the fuel line, and make tiny adjustments. You’ll get it.

Stoker

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2020, 01:09:04 am »
Don't know if you've seen this thread or not, but Gil gives some good general info on the M12 and may mention something that could help you:

https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/general-discussion-scale-model-gas-engines-hit-miss-throttle-governed-non-compression-etc/first-2-runs-and-adjusting-the-microcosm-m12-gas-engine-model/msg27839/#msg27839
"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

Nike25

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2020, 04:57:54 pm »
Well, now I have no spark! I have tried 4 different batteries and same results! Any ideas?

Adirondack Jack

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2020, 08:08:52 pm »
Check that the ground wire is securely attached. Also, if the engine uses a magnet sensor to trigger the spark, make sure it hasn’t come loose and gotten out of position. I’m not even sure that’s what they use, but if it’s like the others, the magnet has to pass directly past the switch or it fails to trigger a spark.

Nike25

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #9 on: September 17, 2020, 10:35:46 pm »
Thanks for your response! The main ground was rather loose but tightening it didn’t fix the problem! Does anyone sell a new ignition module for this model? I’ve seen several that take 3 batteries but this engine only uses a 1 battery setup. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve made several attempts to contact “microcosm” and no response! Kind of frustrated right now! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Nick

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2020, 10:38:08 pm »
@JinMachine <——This should alert Jin over here to help you  ;)
Nick

Nike25

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2020, 10:39:55 pm »
Thank you!!!

JinMachine

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2020, 07:29:25 pm »
Thank you!!!
We have sent an email to you.Jin

Nike25

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Re: M12 won’t start!
« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2020, 11:21:07 pm »
Thank you. I’ve replied.