by Jeff Goin | May 10, 2020 | 27: The Motor Unit, Mx: Motor
The 60+ year old marvel of technology that powers our flight is a nearly perfect match. Finicky, yes, but given the power, we get out of it’s few pounds, we can’t be terribly surprised. Tuned Pipe When the piston moving upward, it’s expelling...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 22, 2020 | Mx: Motor
This can be quite the rabbit hole. For starters, two-stroke oil is like religion: people believe their particular oil is the best because, well, either they’ve been told or they’ve been using that oil and their engine hasn’t seized. Thankfully, there...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 18, 2020 | 12: Maintenance, Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
Walbro WG8 Carb used on nearly all 80cc paramotor engines out there and others I’ve had this problem many times, even on brand new carbs. You blow in the tank vent tube while pressing the needle release (for priming), and fuel doesn’t flow. What the suck?...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
Notes and references to this specific engine. There is a wealth of information on Black Devil motors at AeroCorsair.com. Links are listed here for convenience. See also the Chapter 12 article on Getting Parts. Carburetor | Redrive Bearing Replacement | Overall List...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | Mx: Motor
While in Panama, far away from spare heads and helicoils, my spark plug came partially unscrewed. I found out when I went to remove it and encountered enormous resistance. Thankfully it didn’t blow all the way out but id did damage the threads. I could neither...
by Jeff Goin | May 15, 2019 | Mx: Motor
Thanks to Dan Clarke, Contraphioneer I’ve had the kill switch fail to stop the motor on more than one occasion after the motor had been running hard. Judging from the response I got from asking about it on the internet groups, many people have this problem with...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | 27: The Motor Unit, Mx: Motor
When troubleshooting motor problems it’s handy to understand how the various systems work. Fortunately ignition is quite reliable and rarely causes problems beyond the spark plug. This may help when it does. Basic Coil Description A correctly timed spark is the...
by Jeff Goin | May 14, 2019 | Mx: Motor
How to tell your motor’s condition through it’s most tortured moving part The piston can reveal much about your motor’s condition. Besides showing how well the motor is “tuned,” it can show whether a catastrophic failure is imminent....
by Jeff Goin | May 13, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Resources
These shops or individuals work on paramotors for pay. Some extremely helpful folks, like Lance Marczak, do it for the sheer pleasure of helping people, but they can only do so in their spare time when it’s convenient. If you know of a shop that works on...
by Jeff Goin | May 12, 2019 | Mx: Harness Setup, Mx: Motor
Hanging too low? Thanks to Jason Wright If your harness leaves you too low and your butt sinks too far back in the harness, there’s a simple cure. It only requires some seat belt material and . The sling is not structural so it’s failure would only be...
by Jeff Goin | May 11, 2019 | Mx: Motor
The Top 80 (and others) clutch is held in place by pressure against a conical shaft. No spline. It gets locked into position pretty hard and can be a pain to get off. There is an easier way than trying to pry it off with a screwdriver, not that anyone would try that...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2019 | Mx: Motor
Priming is squirting fuel directly into the carburetor’s air/fuel intake stream, usually before cranking the motor. It helps with cold starts by providing an immediately combustible mixture. Squeeze bulbs are commonly used. They have two one-way check valves so...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
Help troubleshoot ignition problems, especially on 2-stroke paramotors A gas engine needs fuel, air, and spark delivered at the right time and in the right amounts. Spark involves really high voltages (20,000) which can create a number of problems. Kill switches on...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2019 | Mx: Motor
Troubleshooting Common Coil/Stator/Ignition Problems on the Simonini Paramotor Engine | Overall Ignition / Charging Thanks to Paul Czarnecki who disassembled his Fresh Breeze Ignition System to show us how to fix two of the more common problems. Like all two strokes,...
by Jeff Goin | May 9, 2019 | Mx: Motor
Rebuild/Repair Kits for the Walbro Carbs used on Paramotors Walbro carburetors are used on more paramotor models than any other brand. Most have two needles for idle and high rpm and an idle stop adjustment although for smaller motors, the WG8 is prevalent. It only...
by Jeff Goin | May 4, 2019 | 23: Motor & Propeller, Mx: Motor
Estimate the percentage of ethanol in pump gas, courtesy Conoco, Inc and EAA.org. See also All About Fuel. Most paramotor pilots use pump gas as opposed to avgas. In all likelihood, that means you’re getting alcohol, specifically ethanol, in your fuel. How much...
by Jeff Goin | May 4, 2019 | 23: Motor & Propeller, Mx: Motor
Extracting this much power from such tiny, lightweight motors, requires great care. The following will help you to make the most intelligent fuel choices for your favorite propulsion. Excerpted from Group K Technical Documents. See also Alcohol in Fuel, Does AvGas...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 30, 2019 | 27: The Motor Unit, Mx: Motor, Propeller Safety
Simple, effective alternative ways to shut off a motor Being able to quickly shut off a motor is critical for several reasons, yet kill switches are easily disabled at their multiple connection points. So it’s good to have a back up. Here are some ideas. Spark...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 28, 2019 | Mx: Motor
This is, unfortunately, a lot of work. You’ll need a drill, 1/8″ drill bit (for the rivets), a rivet gun, rivets, rubber bands (to hold the starter pawls) and nerves of steal. OK, copper nerves may work but you’ll still need that rivet gun. Thanks to...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 24, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
Most paramotors use a manual pull starter due to its simplicity and light weight. They’re slightly more reliable than an electric start because no battery is required but they’re far from perfect. Problem Possible solution or link. Pull starter feels...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 24, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
The ready supply of U.S. held parts for this machine is one of its draws. See also Specifics on the Top 80 There are at least three types of redrives for the Top 80 and several different gear ratios. The ratio is the number of teeth on the big gear divided by the...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 24, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
Membrane carbs are sensitive to the pressure required to push the needle valve off its seat to allow fuel into the chamber: pop-off pressure. This tool makes it easy easy to do. There is a fairly wide pressure allowance and that the what you measure with the motor...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 24, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
Ding the tip of your carbon prop? Is the prop in good shape otherwise? This may work to repair it if the damage is minor. It’s based on the same technique as covered in Chapter 12 of the PPG Bible. Flying a repaired prop could cause injure or kill a bystander if...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 23, 2019 | 22: Aerodynamics, 23: Motor & Propeller, Mx: Motor
Which prop you choose depends on which redrive you have. A high ratio means the prop spins at a slower speed and needs more pitch–a bigger bite. At some point of increasing pitch, efficiency suffers and/or the motor will bog down and won’t get up to its...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 23, 2019 | Mx: Motor
Spark Plug Selection Thanks Dave Moore and Brian Del Campo with this information. The NGK BR9ES is the most common plug. Do not combine it with a resistor cap–the spark will be too weak. Redrive & Bearings Visit the Top 80 parts site listed above to find the...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 23, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
For those who have aftermarket exhausts that vibrate and self destruct you will find this an early and easy fix before yours self destructs. Take a TOP80 standard crankshaft seal (for this application) and install it over the stinger. Place the silencer firmly against...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 23, 2019 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
Thanks Scott Traverse There are a number of preventative measures you can take to avoid needing the troubleshooting guide. The picture at right shows one such mod but most are much simpler. Minimize vibration by using high temperature silicon around and through...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 22, 2019 | Mx: Motor
Straight talk about this nearly religious subject | Fuel Feed Problems | Is Avgas Cooler Avgas or Mogas? Castrol or Pennzoil? 2% or 3%? What’s best for my engine? Ask this question in a room full of paramotor pilots then take cover. Instructors and dealers will...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 22, 2019 | 23: Motor & Propeller, Mx: Motor
Testing the difference in running temperature between car gas and av gas There’s a lot of dispute as to which is better to run in your paramotor, avgas or mogas (as in motorcar), especially with the higher ethanol content of mogas. But one claim is significant:...
by Jeff Goin | Dec 11, 2011 | Mx: Motor
For those in frigid climes, hibernation is fact of life; preparing your motor will avoid problems next spring. These tips, from long-time two-stroke expert Alex Varv (www.Aerocorsair.com) will help. This is like “Pickling” but of shorter duration. Here is...
by Jeff Goin | Oct 14, 2011 | Mx: Motor
Thanks to Rick Cavallaro for explaining and taking pictures (see PDF) Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert mechanic. If something looks or sounds wrong in these directions, it probably is. I’d be happy to receive any tips or feedback on how to improve this...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 18, 2010 | Mx: Motor, Mx: Troubleshooting
The best thing to do if you suspect a carburetor problem is replace the carb with new. That way you can rule out the carb as a problem right away. Then, if you want to fix your carb, put it back on and start troubleshooting–at least now you know it’s the...
by Jeff Goin | Aug 30, 2008 | Mx: Motor
Permanent fix for PPG fuel tanks | Thanks to Alex Varv If your gas tank gets damaged, it’s frequently almost impossible to fix since no glue that we’re aware of permanently adheres to the polypropylene material. Epoxy Repair Various epoxies, such as JB...
by Jeff Goin | Mar 13, 2007 | Mx: Motor
Thanks to Brian Del Campo | Walbro Carbs | troubleshooting carbs. A carburetor’s job is to feed the engine a perfect mix of fuel and air as commanded by the pilot. There are two basic types of carburetors: Float bowl and Membrane. About 70% of all paramotors use...
by Jeff Goin | Dec 2, 2006 | Mx: Motor
Remember, they’re made to be lightweight. So before the inevitable comparison with your starts-every-pull lawnmower, be thankful you don’t have to carry your 22 hp garden, 200 lb rider on your back. The most likely problems will be the cord breaking or the...
by Jeff Goin | Apr 25, 2006 | Mx: Motor
Long-term storage and resurrection, thanks to Brad Weiss | See also Alex Varv’s tips One of the worst abuses you can inflict on your paramotor is letting it sit unloved. Fuel degrades, Oil evaporates and dust gathers in places it ought not. Absent any protective...
