My PT 422 with Robin eng. has been starting up fairly well, since, I keep it in the garage (attached, insulated, but not heated) and a trickle charge connected (per MR).
I place the throttle in high, full choke, crank for about 10 seconds (never starts on the first try).
Then I wait for about 25 seconds and crank again. But it still has to be held in the "start/crank" position for to long (10-20 seconds) as far as I am concerned, before it will stay running.
Today, I did some snow removal around the house and then the driveway (gravel) approx. 1500' long. I have a concrete apron about 20'X30' from the road entering into the drive. It gets full of ice and snow, so I went to scrap it with the bucket, and the motor died (after running well for about 25-35 minutes)!
It sputtered just a moment before this.
I waited a couple of seconds, then cranked it over. It ran ok for about 2 minutes, then began to sputter again.
I was afraid I would be left stranded out by the road, so I headed back to the house (Thanking God it started again, and praying it would make it back to the house),
but to keep it running I had to keep the throttle set on high, and keep adjusting the choke back and forth.
In the garage, (without moving of course) if I kept the choke full, and the throttle half way, it ran no problem. But if I throttle up, it would start the sputter. If I openned the choke it would start to sputter.
("sputter" - don't know if that is the correct mechanical term?)
Has anyone had this happen or similar?
Does anyone have any suggestions to what the problem may be?
I have approx. 1/2 to 3/4 of gas in the tank, and the gas might be a week old, if that.
If I have said it a thousand times, let me say it a thousand and one: "You can't beat the PT when it is running well, but, it is just a massive paper weight when it is not!"
Again, I really don't have alot against PT (except for a few stupid engineering layouts).
But, the "Robin Engine", it has been this machines BIGGEST downfall!
I will never have another Robin Engine after this one.
It is like walking on "eggshells" all the time, you never know when it is going to break down. It just doesn't give you that reliable feeling.
I have never, let me repeat that, NEVER, had as much trouble (or a feeling of unreliability) with any other engine in my life! And I am half of a century old!
Hope someone knows what the problem with the "sputter" is, or has some good suggestions.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for such a long post.