Polini Thor Flash Starter Problems

At 25 hours of usage, I found that the starting rope became loosen and fell out of its pulley. This may cause a disaster if the rope jams with the fast spinning flywheel nearby (as it happened to my friend's. He lost his frame and prop because of this!) this video shows what happens to the starter pulley when the engine revs up. This may be the cause of the loosen rope!

[@NewwaymtbDH]

Hi. First of all thanks for the video, which helped me avoid having the same problem while upgrading for a flash starter from the classic starter which I had before. For those of you still searching for a solution, here are my findings: - the four spacers that Polini provide with their flash starter kit are not thick enough. Please note that compared to a classic starter, the flash starter is thicker and reaches deeper into the engine. This is why it comes with four aluminium spacers, about 10mm in thickness. Yo can see them pretty well in this video (0:14) - since the spacers aren't thick enough, the ratchet plate on the engine rubs on the starter wheel and engages it. This uncoiles the spring and releases the rope. The problem is not with the pawls staying out all the time, or anything of this sort. To solve this, place more washers to each of the four mounting screws. About 3 washers totalling 3mm were enough for me. Please keep in mind that the starter pawls should continue to be able to engage the engine ratchet, so you shouldn't separate the starter too much from the engine. You should also keep an eye on the clearence between the starter and the backplate on your chassis. Hope this helps. Regards.

[@nayotkurukitkoson3006]

Thanks NewWay for sharing a way to avoid this problem. I had a chance to talk to Oscar from Polini at the WPC 2014 in Hungary. He said the problems is rooted from the weak coil spring and recommend replacing it. What made the coil spring weak? He blamed it to the way we pull the starter rope. Never ever pull the rope until the end! Only one time will ruin the spring strength. Personally NewWay approach makes sense, however, and I'll try it.

[@basaran3434]

I've changed rope empties, the issue continues stamps 3mm

[@nayotk]

As you can see, the starter pulley turns along with the engine when revs up. Replacing the starting jaw repair kit (part 928.205.003) helped fix the problem. But it lasted only for 8 hours. The problem then came back! After inspection found some wears on the parts i.e. teeth and their cover. Reported this to a Polini dealer who immediately conveyed this symptom to Polini itself. Now await some response.

[@kitkat0981]

Hello. I am having the same problem. I have changed the rope twice after it got sucked into the fan. Can someone please tell me what is a permanent fix for this issue short of installing a electric starter. Thanks for responding.

[@ZeroGMVideos]

Hello everyone I have diferent problem with my thor 130.: just 16 hours from new. After few minutes of flight,(engine hot)...landed then I pull the flashstarter to fly again but nothing happen,just the rope remain thin..and it dont recover to original position.. After several times, it begin to work again... And two screws of my flashstarter has been broken... Regards from Spain!

[@alocalshop123]

Did you ever solve this, I am having the same problem, Thanks

[@pabonluis]

Same problem with my thor 100! Any solution from Polini?.