Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Hi Hundojoe,...this engine can get very erratic & temperamental running at times for seemingly no good reason. 1/4 to 1/3 needle valve setting is normal & optimum. Top of fuel tank level with mixer is good & prevents engine flooding with full fuel tank. As long as fuel line is air bobble free, a U- shape droop of 1 to 2 inches causes no problems. Try starting the engine with above conditions + spraying  starting fluid into mixer intake to try to keep engine running. If engine persist in stopping during spraying,  the ignition module (known for erattic behavior)  may be defective or overly sensitive to battery cell count & some
Marginal units prefer 2 only or 3 Fresh new cells. Hope you get it sorted out soon..regards, ...tom.