by GWMotley » Sun Feb 22, 2015 12:18 pm
I previously reported that after almost four years, that I had begun to have trouble tuning my carb. At first I thought the slide was binding. Then I discovered the mixture needle was the cause. The needle would bind once the set screw was tightened and so it appeared the slide was cocking over but it was caused by the mixture needle. I tried new needles, as I had the old brass ones which appeared very loose within the mixture outlet. But, I was still unable to tune this thing any longer except for a specific time or condition. I finally gave up as I was spending too much time on the ground. So, I just ordered a new carb as I thought the mixture needle outlet had become enlarged and therefore unusable. These difficulties had been reported to Sonex tech. What a surprise when I opened the new carb. I immediately noticed that they have INSTALlED A NYLON BUSHING at the mixture needle orifice. This makes it smooth as silk now and I suspect that it may be a replaceable item as it appears. I had not received any word on this from Sonex. It is not listed in the parts diagram either. I do not know if they plan to offer retrofits or kits for the same. I do feel that the reason why so many have had trouble tuning the carbs is that they may just have been unlucky enough to have an off size needle or perhaps mixture outlet anomaly. Just an opinion. But I installed the new carb, had no trouble tuning and flew for about two hours. I always need a little fine tuning after the first few flights to dial it in to my liking but the point is that it instantly solved my problem. Hope this help someone.
Gary Motley
Sonex 1155
Great Plains Force One/Aerovee Hybridized
MGL/ipad panel
First Flight 08/2011
About 670 hours on this plane