More for the Petter M experts

[Mark Howard]

Chaps,

I'm new to running Petter M's. I have a 1930 5 HP which is a recent
acquisition. It has a petrol head, a paraffin ring and a mixer/carburettor
with a drain so it is set up to run on paraffin. It runs reasonably well on
paraffin (after starting on petrol), but smokes a lot and misses a bit even
when hot and under some load.

I've adjusted the ignition timing, (in accordance with the book) changed the
spark plug and checked that the oil drip feed is set correctly but it still
doesn't run as nicely as some I've seen on the rally field and smokes more
than I do!.

The question is: is the mixture of a petrol head and a paraffin ring causing
the problem? Would I be better running on petrol and taking the
de-compression ring out or maybe running a mixture of petrol and paraffin -
what do you think?

Regards

MARK

[Roland and Celia Craven]

A 5hp needs at least 1/3 load to two-stroke evenly although there are cheats
like retarding the ignition and stopping down the reed valve. I neither use
nor recommend such tactics but its your engine :-)
Sounds like its either over-oiled or more likely full of old oil from
years of running off load. I suggest draining the exhaust pot and opening
the crankcase drain tap. With engine level whatever runs out of the latter
is excess.
IIRC the oiler should be set for 26 drops per minute but its worth saying
that is for full rpm/load running.
An 8hp M that I acquired after years of off-load running took a full days on
load running to clear even after thorough draining and cleaning. Runs like a
watch now and clean too.
let us know how you get on
--
Roland Craven
nr Exeter Devon, UK
***@petternut.co.uk
http://www.petternut.co.uk

Post by Mark Howard
Chaps,
I'm new to running Petter M's. I have a 1930 5 HP which is a recent
acquisition. It has a petrol head, a paraffin ring and a mixer/carburettor
with a drain so it is set up to run on paraffin. It runs reasonably well on
paraffin (after starting on petrol), but smokes a lot and misses a bit even
when hot and under some load.
I've adjusted the ignition timing, (in accordance with the book) changed the
spark plug and checked that the oil drip feed is set correctly but it still
doesn't run as nicely as some I've seen on the rally field and smokes more
than I do!.
The question is: is the mixture of a petrol head and a paraffin ring causing
the problem? Would I be better running on petrol and taking the
de-compression ring out or maybe running a mixture of petrol and paraffin -
what do you think?

[Campingstoveman]

Runs like a watch now and clean too.

Having watched yours and Philips Petter's running I absolutely agree that
they run like watches but who in God's name led you to believe that a Petter
runs clean, thats an enigma is it not. :-))
Up wind at 100 paces maybe.

Martin P

[Campingstoveman]

Roland,
Still trying to win over local Petter owner.

Martin P

[Roland and Celia Craven]

paradoxically it is certainly musical ;-)
ttfn
Roland

Post by Campingstoveman
thats an enigma is it not. :-))
Up wind at 100 paces maybe.

[Campingstoveman]

Post by Roland and Celia Craven
paradoxically it is certainly musical ;-)
ttfn
Roland

I'd agree that Petter's are a variation on a theme :-))

Martin P

p.s. Roland your turn.

[Mark Howard]

Roland,

Thanks for the advice. The Petter manual recommends setting the oiler at 6
to 10 drops per minute for the 5 HP, I guess from your advice, you consider
that too low?

Thanks and regards

MARK

Post by Roland and Celia Craven
A 5hp needs at least 1/3 load to two-stroke evenly although there are cheats
like retarding the ignition and stopping down the reed valve. I neither use
nor recommend such tactics but its your engine :-)
Sounds like its either over-oiled or more likely full of old oil from
years of running off load. I suggest draining the exhaust pot and opening
the crankcase drain tap. With engine level whatever runs out of the latter
is excess.
IIRC the oiler should be set for 26 drops per minute but its worth saying
that is for full rpm/load running.
An 8hp M that I acquired after years of off-load running took a full days on
load running to clear even after thorough draining and cleaning. Runs like a
watch now and clean too.
let us know how you get on
--
Roland Craven
nr Exeter Devon, UK
http://www.petternut.co.uk

Post by Mark Howard
Chaps,
I'm new to running Petter M's. I have a 1930 5 HP which is a recent
acquisition. It has a petrol head, a paraffin ring and a

mixer/carburettor

Post by Roland and Celia Craven

Post by Mark Howard
with a drain so it is set up to run on paraffin. It runs reasonably well

on

Post by Mark Howard
paraffin (after starting on petrol), but smokes a lot and misses a bit

even

Post by Mark Howard
when hot and under some load.
I've adjusted the ignition timing, (in accordance with the book) changed

the

Post by Mark Howard
spark plug and checked that the oil drip feed is set correctly but it

still

Post by Mark Howard
doesn't run as nicely as some I've seen on the rally field and smokes more
than I do!.
The question is: is the mixture of a petrol head and a paraffin ring

causing

Post by Mark Howard
the problem? Would I be better running on petrol and taking the
de-compression ring out or maybe running a mixture of petrol and

paraffin -

Post by Mark Howard
what do you think?

[Roland and Celia Craven]

No consider required. I took it straight off the oiler. Can you elaborate
on the date/number of the manual please
ttfn
Roland

Post by Campingstoveman
Roland,
Thanks for the advice. The Petter manual recommends setting the oiler at 6
to 10 drops per minute for the 5 HP, I guess from your advice, you consider
that too low?

[Mark Howard]

Hi Roland,

Hmm very interesting!

The manual I have is one of David Edgingtons reprints entitled:

"Working Instructions for the Petter Junior Oil Engine 1922 Model"

and then in small print:

"(Including Lubricating Instructions for Engines Manufactured between 1923
and 1931, Sizes 2.5, 5 & 8 BHP)"

- snappy eh!

What I hadn't realised (probably stupidly) was that the main body of the
manual refers to the 5 HP requiring 6 to 10 drops per minute whereas the
last page (which I've only just spotted) refers to the 1923 to 1931 models
requiring 20 to 25 drops per minute. (I obviously nodded off whilst
negotiating the long title).

That's cleared that up then!

Regards

MARK

Post by Roland and Celia Craven
No consider required. I took it straight off the oiler. Can you elaborate
on the date/number of the manual please
ttfn
Roland

Post by Campingstoveman
Roland,
Thanks for the advice. The Petter manual recommends setting the oiler

at

Post by Roland and Celia Craven
6

Post by Campingstoveman
to 10 drops per minute for the 5 HP, I guess from your advice, you

consider

Post by Campingstoveman
that too low?