Large Model Association Forum

after a frustrating Weston weekend attempting to start this hitherto unbelievably reliable and easy starting engine without success I attacked the DLE111 in a typically random and chaotic manner..

Before we start, the engine was running perfctly the weekend before, 3 turns on choke, ignition on and flick twice to pop, ignition off, 6 turns to prme thenignition on and a gentle nudge and she is away. no mods or changes made so what is going on?

1: Ignition is okay, both sparks going great guns.
Checked the sensor worked at hand crank speeds by turning past the magnet = okay
Checked the ignition was working okay a hi rpm with the RCEXcel ignition tester, solid blue spark to max rpm on the pot thingy = okay

2:Pulled the carb and reed valve block out.
One reed, port side nearest mount has a tiny piece missing from the very end, (looks like thr rough cast off the crank web has shaved it off but all 4 reeds have a good sealing face and there are no cracks, scratches ro other marks on any of the reeds- is this okay?

3: stripped out the carb, a few specks of dirt under one of the non returns and some more in the filter screen. cleaned it out and re-assembled. put back on and managed to fire up the engine once. the carb was dripping fuel.
Pulled carb off again, double checked the needle/pump diaphragm and refitted with the slot on the diaphpragm in the yoke of the lever.

Assembled again and still not priming.

4 Disconnected from tank and attempting to prime from a jar of petrol, no prime.

I know on walbro carbs that the pump needle lever has a setting height , is there on for the DLE carb?

Any ideas or suggestions appreciated?

Suggest you obtain a diaphragm kit for the carb - If Gashanger can't supply you could obtain a Walbro equivalent ( I suspect the DLE carb is a copy ) from Rowena Motors . The Walbro equivalent carb is WJ 71 and the diaphram kit for that is D10-WJ . Their address is on Google. Also try Googling WALBRO CARB FOR DLE111 - you will find loads of forum information some of which might be useful !
If the reeds are sealing properly the engine should run but it is possible the broken off bit might affect performance.