POLINI Thor 303 FAILURES Flawed Design
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- čas přidán 16. 01. 2022
- This is an update to my earlier video, Polini Thor 303 The Beast Awakens. I don't want to be that guy who complains about everything online. These companies need to be held responsible when their products fail. I understand there may be issues with a new product but the way they have handled the issues are unacceptable. I don't expect them to change or take special care of me because of this video. Actually it will probably hurt me more than help. I have sold several of these engines to my customers and students. Even if mine gets fixed again it will be difficult to sell it and this video won't help any. Hopefully I can save some other folks from these problems.
I went with the Polini because they had such success with the Thor 250. The Cosmos was Vitorazzi's first big liquid cooled engins so I thought the Polini was a safer bet. Man was I wrong! The Cosmos have been nearly flawless.
I was so excited to purchase my own tandem trike with the new Thor 303 engine. I've been disappointed since I got mine and have had 4 engine outs with this motor. This is my 2nd 303 and its nothing but a boat anchor. I'm not comfortable flying any passengers on this undependable power plant. This is a flawed design and Polini won't admit there is even a problem. I have heard of at least 6 others with the same issues. I was considering whether or not I should post this video. I'll never be able to sell this one even after its rebuilt. I would rather be honest and help keep others from having this same costly experience. I wish I bought a VITORAZZI COSMOS 300!
I will try to save up for one now. It's hard to turn away tandem flights while I'm still making payments on this junk. This has nothing to do with HScom and my Condor trike. The engine was purchased seperatly from Polini. My importer has been more than responsive and replaced the first engine out of his own pocket. This is only a Polini issue.
I will make my very best effort to share this with everyone around the world. If they step up and do the right thing I will update this video as needed.
I've started a Facebook group to share these experiences. Join and share your experiences!
/ 2121022458068023 - Sport
Update Heard back from Polini on day #25. They are saying they think it may be from the fuel filter/pickup inside of the tank. They've asked me to take pictures of the tank pickup. It's just strange how I hear so many different stories. One guy I spoke to said they sent him a redesigned head and needle with a more aggressive taper. I've also heard about a new water thermostat but mfg is very secretive about it all.
Yeah, that has the potential for making it critically lean. The wrong taper can also cause leanness in the midrange. So, it looks like they don't suspect an ignition problem at all, and this is 100% a fueling issue. Like I said in my other post, this could be cause from air leaks, incorrect jetting, too hot of a spark plug heat range, or bad electronic ignition advance curves (much less likely than the other potential issues). Hope they figure this out! Glad I didn't go for broke and buy one. I need that money for an engine for my Silverado, lol.
Seems like the tank pick-up would limit fuel to the carb, but not to the engine itself...does that take sense? A restricted fuel flow would show up in throttle response being poor....it wouldn't make it run just a little bit lean, the carb set right would give it the proper fuel until there was no fuel in the bowl. At midrange and idle the engine would run fine, but full throttle you would start to run out. Here the engine ran fine and then piston hole or burned up cylinder and piston. I have a Black Bodied Polini 250 on my Aeros ANT. I run an EGT and in the mid range it can run a bit on the high side. Full throttle, temp down around 900 F but that midrange (5200 RPM), it can go up to 1170. I would suspect an airleak...I heard a way you can check for it is while the engine is running, spray some starter fluid around certain areas. If the RPM goes up you have a leak. Thanks for posting this,.
The blocked fuel pick up would give you a baaaarrrrrr noise when applying full throttle but run fine low to mid throttle I had a fuel filter in my tank that was faulty and restricted my fuel flow. If you remember I kept having engine outs 🤣
but at least they got back to you and are trying to solve the issue. Maybe put to them a few suggestions from the comments here as sometimes it takes someone new to look at it differently. (They may just get stuck in the same routine of last time it was this thing wrong so it has to be that) so they could then not be looking at the wider picture. I hope you get it resolved
Are you using 93 octane non-ethanol mogas or AV-GAS 100LL? I saw a notice from Polini about lower-octane US gas or the 10% ethanol mogas we get at gas stations contributing to the overheating.
I've always gone out of my way to get non-ethanol premium (91-93 octane) gas for my Vittorazi, and I also use AMSOIL SABER. I'm hopeful that using 91-93 octane non-ethanol gas plus oil will help reduce the overheating failures.
If it isn't that, I agree, Polini needs to stand by their products, because your experience is TERRIBLE and I don't also want to have the same one!
@@ooglek I run regular pump gas in my 74 Yamaha RD350 with no problems in 7000 miles. What I do due to the ethanol content is shut my fuel off at a predetermined spot on my way home, so that I reach the garage running on fumes. I then throw it on full choke to get every little last bit of fuel out of the carburetor, and let it run until it dies. That way I don’t have any issues starting it the next time I ride, which could be months in between. It’s oil injected, so no danger of lack of lubrication doing it this way.
As far as overheating goes, you always have to jet for the fuel you are running, especially with a two-stroke. The jets I’m running are over twice the size of the factory specifications, but that’s what the bike wanted to be happy. That goes to show how terrible our fuel is compared to what was sold in 1973-‘74. No matter how crappy the ethanol fuel is, you can jet for it.
For my paramotor I run ethanol free, premixed with Saber. That’s the only oil I will ever use in any two-stroke except for my RD - I run Dominator in that due to the oil injection. Saber is a little too heavy for the pump.
Getting ethanol free fuel here in MA is a royal pain in the ass. They don’t sell it at any pump anywhere in the state (aside from leaded 100LL at airports), so we have to go out of state and buy in bulk. I could go to a airport down the road, but it’s over $5 a gallon. Ends up cheaper to bring a barrel up to the free states.
Those landings we expertly handled. Especially great job with the young female passenger. Reassured her calmly and did your thing. Following to see how it's handled by Polini.
I agree. She could relax in the hands of a trained pilot. If a paramotor has an engine-out you 'glide' back down. She saw the importance of training.
Thanks for posting this. I think you just saved me a lot of heartache.
I'm a heavier trike pilot-in-training myself and I've been watching your videos (as well as seeing what I can glean from other sources, too) to try and see what setup would be best for me. My instructor is a Blackhawk dealer and I initially told him I wanted a Moster 185 with a Rhino cage and a Lite Trike - I figured it was the best combo of reliability, durability and "I don't own a truck" portability. After watching your videos, I think the Moster may be too underpowered for me and my main goals of cross country and fly camping. When you started to use larger engines like the Polini Thor 303 I began to think that it might be the solution I was looking for, and I started to plan for that based on what I saw you using. For now I'll skip the 303 and reconsider the Corsair Black Bull 235 instead...I know Blackhawk has had a poor reputation but that seems to be mostly in the past, and I think at this point it'll serve my purpose instead of the Thor 303.
It's taken me a year to save up for my setup, and I don't want to pick the wrong one and have to wait even longer to rectify that. The last thing I'd want to be doing as a new pilot is to be spending the majority of my time with my engine on the fritz and be left wondering why I ever bothered with the sport. Hopefully information like this will steer me toward a setup that I can avoid that question with. Thanks again!
have you looked at the new cosmos 300 as an option.
Tucker gott as im sure your aware by now just bought a polini 303 and polini sent him a new designed head and fuel pick up screen and carb needle by default before he ever took flight, as found out to be fuel starvation from too small of a pick up and also the new head to prevent what has been to be a detonation problem that burns holes in piton or seizes piston , thanks for sharing critical info to save lives.
Thanks for posting this. Good reviews and bad reviews need to posted to inform future buyers. Lets hope Polini stands behind thier product, takes ownership of the issue, and corrects the issue. Until then, I dont think I will be purchasing anymore Polini engines.
Sorry to hear about your experience with the Polini. But kudos to you for putting it out there and warning pilots about this engine & it’s problem. I appreciate it & I’m sure others do to. 👍👍👍
Hey Rick, I have been a fan for a long time. You are one of the most honest ones out there. I don't see anything wrong with you sharing your experiences with polini. You handled every single incident extremely professionally. Videos like this are needed and greatly appreciated. Thank you for sharing and I hope they make things right for you. I don't think you shot yourself in the foot brother.
If Polini cares about its business they'll keep in mind that Rick is a social influencer.
My diller in Russia warned me from buy this motor last september yet. As I know Polini had two issues - manual starter and ignition. Now the third is added it is the lean mixture. I think you should install a diaphragm carburetor so it helps to avoid air bubble formation in fuel due to vibration.
Wow, that's BS man. Sux buying new stuff to have it be absolutely crap. Now that you post this, makes me wonder about Tuckers trike/303. We haven't heard zip from him since his video saying he got one...
Yeah I wonder???
He seems to be a few weeks back from when his videos are filmed, so maybe a similar video as this one is in the works. Never know! Seems to be a widespread issue. Wonder if they'll step up and issue a recall? If enough people get pissed off, they might.
Thank you, Rick, for your candid, and unbiased posts. I so very much appreciate you, and what you are doing to educate and safeguard our interests.
I'm flying a Polini Black 250, with the old carb and older set-up. I think Polini tried to "up the game" when the they took the 250 and turned it into the 303...I think they did this in an effort to keep up with the new Cosmos 300. I have heard that Polini is terrible about getting back to customers, and they ALWAYS try to blame the problem on the customer...wrong prop, wrong battery, wrong gas, wrong oil...everything but a problem they themselves created. They need to get their "customer service and support" up to speed.
Honesty is worth a ton. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your honesty brother! Top notch. See ya soon.
Great video Rick! Fair and informative. I was looking for a new motor, but will avoid Polini due to nightmare experiences I’ve heard about and their atrocious customer service and reliability. I don’t think the video will harm you. People appreciate honesty and you are saving us from the headache you are enduring.
You have been an incredibly supportive trainer and I wouldn’t have trained with anyone else! I will continue to purchase gear from you at retail to help you finance a new machine as soon as possible. Love you man!
Polini… the PPG community is carefully watching how you handle this business owner. Do right by him and it will pay off.
Thank you Brother, that means a lot to me. I am enjoying watching you progress as a pilot and it makes me very proud!
Glad you are ok Rick, I feel your frustration. I'll buzz you later to discuss something offline. Great job getting your customers down safely all while keeping your cool.
Blue Skies.
Good thank you, been a pilot for 15 years and seen too much of issues with motors, making it public is what we need.
I have a Thor200 for 6 year and lot of issue with it. BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE , sell upgrade kit for thor200 for solving over heat issue , when is a error of conception , normally need to be give. Give same stupid reason of fuel oil mixing or octane mix.... It finish for me , I try buy new motor next Summer and it will be not a polini.
Only 6 hours on mine and exactly the same problem, holed the cylinder and saying same kind of garbage, well you need to switch to AV Gas. So frustrating and once this is fixed I am not sure how comfortable I will be. I am a new pilot with low hours and yes I was taught well and expect an engine out but not at 6 hrs!
Try checking the height of the float in the bowl of the carb. My guess is that the fuel is running out in flight maybe due to vibrations. If there is not enough fuel in the carb to cope with the vibration of the engine it will suck in air instead of fuel. Causing the lean state, Or temporary fuel loss, the blown piston clearly shows a fuel issue running lean. The spluttering and backfire also signs of temporary air intake greater than the engine is happy with. I would check the height of the float. Then if it continues check the crank seals and gaskets to make sure no air can get in. I know you shouldn't have to do this as they are new but sometimes sending it back to the dealer is just no good. I would say its not electrical at all listening to the way it performs.
Love my Cosmos 300. Never had Polini 303. Sorry you are going through all this pain. It would be frustrating for sure!
Rick that sucks..I will be steering clear of Polini.After I train with Kyle'O I would love to come down to Wauchula and get a trike and maybe some trike training.Best of luck in the future and thanks for letting us know about this.
Sorry to hear about your problems with Polini, I guess I’ll have to look at something else to power my trike.
Thanks for sharing🍻
thank you for making this video. I was trying to decide between the 303 and the Vittorazi Cosmos. Make a video about the Cosmos if you have any experience with one. thanks again
Rick that sucks. I feel for you brother.
I think it would be worth installing an exhaust temperature probe.
With the EGR you get instant temp changes compared to water jacket temp. Response time.
Sounds more like fuel/air rather than spark timing. I could be totally wrong. I reserve that right.
Do you notice a slight burst of power right before it quits?
Lean gives a burst of power until the heat cooks everything. Too rich gives a sluggish feel.
What's the reeds look like.
If this was at full throttle, it can be jetted right, but the engine can run through fuel faster than it can feed it from a fuel pump, feed lines, fuel cap air inlet, carb float bowl float needle, blockage of metering jets, etc...
I you get it back together, try running on the ground at high rpm for a long time. If you have a restriction in the air inlet to the fuel tank, or the float bowl in the carb can not keep up, use an IR temp gun to read exhaust temp.
All will look cool and groovy for a while, then you start hearing rpm change and temp spiking as it leans due to fuel/air changes.
I had built a 2332cc vw conversion with a Holley 350 carb on my biplane. It produced 150 hp at 4800 rpm.
I was running a vw electric fuel pump with it. Worked great for 30 seconds at full throttle. Then rpm dropped way down. Luck I found it out doing ground test.
I went to a Holley blue fuel pump and regulator set to 6 psi. Engine burn when to 7 gallons/ hr.
Man, I sure hate that you're having to deal with this. Here's hoping for a good outcome for you!
Hi Rick, that is some really bad luck and I hope it gets resolved soon. Was there any reason you didn't go for the Cosmos 300 in the beginning? I've been watching you 303 use with interest and it is certainly giving me reservations about using a P303. Thanks for the video and I think you have every right to make it.
I would almost suspect some kind of air leak between the carb and intake or something along those lines but hey I'm just an old jack off all trades. Anyway I hope you get the issue sorted out and soon. It really sucks to own something new and get zero customer support. Especially with something as expensive as those things. Thanks for sharing the video Gorilla.
Yeah that was my first suspect. Couldn't find any air leaks whatsoever. I'm suspect of the float bowl carb or possible timing issue. They have had numerous problems with the CDI also.
@@PPGGORILLA Oh wow that would most definitely be an engineering flaw in my opinion if that's the case. Regardless I sure hope you get it resolved soon. Like I said I couldn't imagine having that kind of money tied up in something I can't use due to things out of my control.
@@PPGGORILLA What type of gas and oil? I think you mentioned 40:1 for break in?
an air leak between the carb and intake would result in the engine running away uncontrollably for no reason. I have rebuilt many 2 stroke engines.
@@jamest4363 What is a reliable and good way to test for air leaks? I'm hoping to avoid holy cylinders and spending quality time with the ground.
Good on you G😎
CRAP, sorry to hear that, Rick. What a joke. I would've been livid too with that response, accusing you of using the "wrong oil". What a copout! Total horsesh*t. Sounds to me like they've got some jetting or ignition module issues to work out. We used to see a ton of holed pistons in dirt bikes way back in the day from guys that didn't set their points correctly, usually advancing the ignition timing too far. Makes for great power, but can detonate and/or run so hot that it holes a piston. I would go up a size or 2 on both the pilot and main jets, just to be safe, if you repair this one.
Kyle O'Glee told me he's been running Saber for years. I've been running it in all my handheld outdoor power equipment for years, too - it's the best oil you can buy, hands down. Kyle said he's been mixing it at 66:1 in his paramotors for 4 years at the time I chatted with him - that would be 5 or 6 by now. That's what I've been mixing my Blackhawk at since I flew with you down there. Prior to that I had a free bottle of oil from Blackhawk - I used that all up practicing. I'll stick with Saber for as long as I own a 2-stroke (which will be always).
The holed piston isn't lubrication related, though. It's either an air leak, too lean of jetting (on both the main and pilot jets - might be able to richen it up on the idle / cruise end by adjusting the pilot air screw), spark plug with too hot a heat range, or electronic ignition failures that are causing bad advance curves. 2-strokes are as simple as it gets, so Polini should be right on top of this, instead of blaming their customers for problems. If you can find someone with a 2-stroke leak down tester, I'd want to know if either crank seal is leaking. That would be a parts or manufacturing defect on something that new. You can add pressure with the leak down tester, and spray soapy water around the ends of the crank on the seals - any bubbles are no good. The gauge should hold steady for several minutes, too, only bleeding off slightly over time past the piston rings. The tester comes with various sized plugs, so you can plug off the exhaust, and intake for a complete sealing of the engine assembly.
Wish I was still out there. I'd try to get to the root of the problem for you so that Polini could make good on it. I think once you know exactly what the issue is, you can then forcefully argue your point, and they'll make good on it. Hopefully. Good luck man.
Let me just edit this to say, in thinking about it, since it ran great prior, you can pretty much rule out jetting. Unless there is trash in the tank that the filter or screen caught, or a sudden failure of a crank seal (never saw that happen, but anything's possible), or sudden electronic ignition failure (shouldn't cause damage that quickly, unless it was an ongoing issue). Can't wait to hear when you get to the bottom of this. Has my mind spinning!
Yeah, I'd be frustrated too and I think you made a wise decision posting the video.
Any reports of similar issues with the 202? I remember a few years back it seemed that there was a rash of air cooled Polinis that were burning pistons. The 250 didn't have that problem and I assumed it was because it was water cooled. I was excited about the 202 mostly because of the claimed low fuel consumption, and since it was water cooled I figured it shouldn't have the problems I remember for the 190/200 series. But if the 303 replaces the 250 and it's having the same piston burning problems then it sounds like Polini has gone backwards. I know we all love beating up on Vittorazi for the exhaust problems, but I'd rather have a broken pipe than a burned piston.
Thanks, polini now crossed off my list, looking at EOS instead.
Good choice!
I fly with 30 years old Rotax 377, 503 and 582 engines without problem near 20 years ago. Only Rotax!
Rick, I haven't fired up my 303-DS yet. Any tips on what instrument everyone is connecting to the Thermistor on the 303 head, to measure head temp?
I bought the overpriced Polini Guage. I didn't have a lot of faith in it so I also ran a secondary trail tech CHT at the spark plug
Chris, I have a Trail Tech on my Blackhawk - reliable as a stone ax. I did manage to get the one out of a million with a subpar battery, which died 3 months after purchasing the unit. I just about had to destroy the thing to get it apart and replace the battery, but it's been working again reliably for almost 2 years now.
I have a Polini 250 DS. I like having both CHT and EGT...thus I went with the FlyHenry PPG Meter. Accurate, easy to read, and easy to program.
Got the same problem with eos 150 only 3 hrs on it and the company not interested, tried to say it ran to lean even though its still being run rich until it as done 5 hour ,they also state on their site bulletins that there was a problem with piston rings expanding and siezing siezing engine
I hade about 125 to 150 engine outs on my Polini 200. No help from Polini, just saying…
But I live in Sweden, maybe you US guys get better luck with the warranty.
🤣🤟🏻
2 stroke engines are essentially unreliable, and newly released engines from any manufacturer are the least likely to be bug free. There are examples of PPG 2stroke engines that have proved be quite reliable and have been continuously produced for decades, but not many (Top80, Simonini 202, Corsair 172, Hirth 313, plus a few more I'm sure). 4 stroke PPG trikes can be an attractive alternative to achieve exceptional engine reliability, but 4 stroker's come with a weight penalty. In spite of 4stroke builder claims, it's difficult to build-up a suitable 4stroke PPG package to meet part 103 weight regs.
Good to know this now. I have been looking at big displacement engines and keep realizing the Cosmos is going to be my choice when I start trike build #3, to build a big boy/tandem trike. James loves his 250, but has never had any issues. They need to get this issue fixed. Looking at photos on their website, it appears that the induction system is short and tight. Is there any way ambient air is entering the intake down stream of the carb?
Something is causing it to lean out thats for sure. I've checked all of the bolts and inspected the rubber intake manifold. Can't see anywhere it could be leaking though. I'm not very trusting of the float bowl type of carb.
@@PPGGORILLA Then that almost has to be the issue. What is the cab they are using?
never mind I found it
What's really goofy is that Dell'Orto VHST is almost twice the cost of a well proven Mikuni 28mm slide. Nationalist pride I suppose...
@@YankeeinSC1 I found the manual for the DelOtro carb and it's ridiculously complicated. I miss diaphram carbs. Someone local is experimenting with a Triton carb on this engine. I'm also interested in the Smart Carb
Man! That's terrible that you have so many of those engines around. 😬😬😬
Had a brand new 190 exhaust wrecked in first 20 minutes. More problems so moved it on. Then got a 250 and spent a couple of hours watching instruments rather than enjoying the flying. Piston burn out down to wrongly routed hoses. There isn't a barge pole long enough I touch one of these pieces of crap!
I was gonna buy one but waited to see where the 303 went
It's strange Dave. Some folks don't have any issues. Mine ran great for several weeks and multiple flights. Temps were about 150-160 F (water temp). I monitored 2 temp guages religiously.
@@PPGGORILLA I know a certain other flight school near you have had several issues, if I heard right. That’s disappointing, I was looking seriously at the motor to upgrade my 250.
Heh...you two (Dave and Rick) are the ones I'm most watching to figure out what I'm going to fly! Your respective setups are closest to what I think I need to get. Thanks to both of you, for your reviews and your tips - I'll definitely keep watching and learning!
@@mikeycourington2011 I don’t even like the guy… he beat me up in a parking lot and told me to… uhh n/m he just called me and told me to be quiet or else!! ;) 😂
@@mikeycourington2011 where are you at brother? I'm a dealer for hscom and power to fly. Would be more than happy to be your guy if you don't have someone close to you. Hell make a trip down and check these things out first hand! I will have a cosmos on one of them as soon as I can afford it.
Does the dual ignition blow 2 holes in the piston? Just being a smart Alec. I hope Polini treats you well.
Rick respect my brother fight your rights.
Come join la famiglia Vittorazi!
I'm on my way
This is the reason why Polini sell little to no motors here in Italy, because the great majority of pilots know them (especially one person in particular) and their motors.
Buy Vittorazi, buy Minari, buy Corsair, whatever you want except Polini and you never have such an experience.
I talk for experience, having had my hole in the piston too.
Owned 2 250, came back to vittorazi I found polini unreliable
Wow I love my motor good luck
If batteries improve 25% in the next two years electric power systems will become possible for 60 min flights plus 15 min reserve. I think .
I know it's coming and can't wait!!!
@@PPGGORILLA I own the OpenPPG SP140 electric. No problems with carbs or engines seizing.
How long have you been flying ppg? I've got 15 years...I see you're a trainer...how long you been training?
Been flying for 5 years and training for 1 year. I don't mean to sound rude, but what does that have to do with this? I guess it speaks to my experience with 2 strokes. Around a dozzen Mosters sold this year with no issues.
@@PPGGORILLA yes. It did have to go with experience around 2 strokes. They can be quite finicky. Hopefully this gets resolved to your satisfaction. Good luck!
Hi folks I'm from India Just saw your video bro I have booked this 303 ds, now I'm thinking what to do after seeing your video. I'll use it for commercial joyride
Try to cancel it and buy a COSMOS 300!!! Emergency landing with passengers is no fun and not safe.
@@PPGGORILLA Hi bro half the amount has been given to them I have book on 19/ 12 / 2021 when they are in holidays of Christmas. I book through a dealer which deals with them I'll see what can I do and give u updates.
@@ishaanverdhanmodi4262 At least they dont have all your money. Good luck Brother! Let me know how it goes.
@@PPGGORILLA OK thanku for your concern nice to talk with U.
Good job on the landings. Four stroke options?
Looking forward to trying a Cosmos!
IMO, I don't think 4-stroke is the way to go in this application. Heavier, more moving parts, more intensive maintenance (valve adjustments, oil & filter changes), and more expensive to purchase and maintain. Plenty can go wrong with them, as with a 2-stroke. As a mechanic, I'll take a 2-stroke any day over a 4 in most applications. 2-strokes are super reliable when everything is right. Something is clearly NOT right with Rick's unit, and Polini needs to figure that out.
@@SmittySmithsonite czcams.com/video/z1t5YgYTpis/video.html This is this guys second machine in 10 to 15 years.
@@butchgeagan9768 4-strokes work, sure. But, IMO, not the right application here. There are much more powerful, lighter, and all around cheaper options in a 2-stroke. Some may argue that, but as someone who fixes these 2 and 4 stroke engines daily, I'll take a 2-stroke EVERY time over a 4. That Vanguard weighs 125 lbs, WITHOUT the muffler! What you gain in power you lose with that much weight. And it'll rattle your fillings out at full throttle. Any 2-stroke, no matter how big, is half that. This 303 weighs a hair over 45 lbs. BIG difference! More expensive no doubt, but you're paying for the performance, smoothness, quietness, and liquid cooling ... IF Polini steps up to the plate and fixes their issues, that is. It should be a great engine - IMO they need to change to a more proven carburetor (Mikuni or Keihin), and more robust CDI units.
I've got 9 guys flying this by me. No issues at all. Weird. Wonder what's going on? I hope you have better luck.
Thanks Larry. I have had good support from London Ivey here to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong. Seems like they're hit and miss. There are several around here with no problems.
hi. You're not shooting yourself in the foot.I know for a fact there's a pilot here who run their own business.ill never be perfect. but. if there are any problems i know for a fact ... bad news travels faster than good news. if it wings or paramotors.if anyone whos tried to communicate with dealers and get no reply....well.let's get it out into the open. they soon want your money.. and also. these dealers know there's problems. with this and that. but they won't let you know..there make out oh. I am sorry. this is a one of.ill send new parts to you asap.. thumbs up. it's a free world we live today ?... isnt " live and learn or learn and live". " honesty is always the best policy...." thats a very good idea. concerning experiences with dealers and equipment.get it out into the open ....
Hey Gorilla sorry you're going through that. I am sure every flight with one you just cringe waiting for the motor to quit. Hope your luck turns around. it seems like a common occurrence for these manufacturers to try and pawn off blame in any way that they can. Keep us updated on what happens.
I appreciate notice. I have been trying to desire between a polini 303 or a simonini victor 1 on an ultralight. You’ve gone through 2 of these engines. Now don’t take this wrong because I’m totally with you on the lack of polini response no matter whose issue it is (and that’s enough to steer me away from the polini). However, I can’t find another person or situation like yours when I google or search on CZcams. You can find the ignition problem of starting backwards… but not your problem. You comment about it happening everywhere but I can’t find any. And to have it happening to you multiple times seems like a big red flag that Polini should take advantage of to see what you are doing differently from all the people with positive experiences. Especially the more individually isolated the instances are… especially if it’s actually your issue so that they can be sure others don’t do the same. Or is it a certain Lot of engines with the issue and turns out to be a QA problem. Disappointed that polini would resort to canned responses and chose the head in sand approach to their engine, even if it turned out you were using vegetable oil mix, they should want to find out the issue when it’s happening “regularly” with you. Finding intermittent problems is way harder than finding regular problem answers and you always need to take advantage of that.
Take a look at the Facebook groups. Same failures literally from all over the world.
update 1/1/24 ELECTIC THOR 303 PROBLEM WITH MY FRIENDS / MY MACANIC REPAIR Bundle a big light on 303 / THAILAND Paramotor !!!
I would be flaming pissed
You have an obligation to inform the PPG public. A good reputation is a necessary part of being in business.
Someone's not reading the spark plugs. With a known engine company problem I would be reading the plug after every engine run until there's a correct consistency in the color. If the porcelain is white you NEED to troubleshoot a vacuum leak and or enrichen the carb. Contact Dealer before doing so. Might void warranty.
Someone's not hearing me in the video. The plug color, temp, and rps were perfect. The plug was checked multiple times. This lean condition happened mid flight after several hours of normal operation. If you've found a way to check a plug in flight please let us all know.
@@PPGGORILLA Several hours of normal operation? You said flight #1 was 2 minutes and in another flight 3 minutes. Never once did you talk about the plug color or inspection. One of us is watching a different video😁. I feel your pain though. I bought a used motor from a guy that was upgrading to the Thor 200 7 years ago. He burned that motor up and two rebuilds within 10 hours. He ended up walking away from the sport. Couldn't deal with it any more. I miss flying with that guy.
Did you check the hand pump? She fails sometimes. My friend landed twice because of this (trike, Rotax 582).
The video below also shows a pump failure.
czcams.com/video/1shLgcCjnt8/video.html
Honest business is hard to find these day! Especially in the ppg business. Unfortunately I trust no one anymore. These new ppg schools with these Un experienced instructors/business owners are ruining the sport especially here in the USA
Yep, even in the automotive industry there's endless amounts of junk out there across all brands. My '07 Silverado 1500 is a prime example of that. Nothing but trouble since day 1. Then the rear end failed at 97k, transmission at 103k, and now low oil pressure at 117k.
I smell Chinese involvement in this…somewhere…?
Lean jetting, need richen up jetting.. piston has boundary layer of fuel/air that doesn't burn and clings too soft alloy surfaces and protects them, if u jetted un correctly it will burn threw that layer and threw piston in seconds, jet it richer and it be fine.. promblem is your lack of two stroke knowledge..
Engines don't instantly go lean during flight after many hours big boy. Work on your spelling you may get more respect.
@@PPGGORILLA wow, yes they do.. but in your case it would been border line whole time, if u had checked piston and specifically underside you would seen signs of lean running b4 it burned hole.. as for spellllling I using my left thumb while flying a 172 so kisssss myyyy asss
@@bigboyair6824 I got my ticket in a 172 also. One of the first and most important things I learned was Keep your eyes outside when you're flying. You're just making this too easy man. Why in the world would you take time to comment on a CZcams video while flying? I really don't want to argue with you. The fact is the plug was checked between multipule flights. The temps were monitired on two seperate gauges constantly. Several longer tandem flights previously with ZERO overheating or any other issues. No engine should require more than that to fly and be reasonably dependable. If there is some other magic issue within your two stroke knowledge let us all know. Please land and taxi clear of the active runway first champ.
@@PPGGORILLA haha ur a real winner.. but then u got big hole in your piston so guess not.. u won't listen but for any one else, these engines as much "fuel cooled" as air and water, run it on ground wot throttle for couple minutes kill it and check plug, rich good it will only get richer as u climb.. if not bordering on almost too rich, put bigger main jet on slide carb, richen main on diaghram carb and you will never have issues like this idiot..
@@bigboyair6824DBAD, just DBAD.
Try checking the height of the float in the bowl of the carb. My guess is that the fuel is running out in flight maybe due to vibrations. If there is not enough fuel in the carb to cope with the vibration of the engine it will suck in air instead of fuel. Causing the lean state, Or temporary fuel loss, the blown piston clearly shows a fuel issue running lean. The spluttering and backfire also signs of temporary air intake greater than the engine is happy with. I would check the height of the float. Then if it continues check the crank seals and gaskets to make sure no air can get in. I know you shouldn't have to do this as they are new but sometimes sending it back to the dealer is just no good. I would say its not electrical at all listening to the way it performs.
Yep, that's a great point I forgot to mention in my post. Incorrect fuel level can and will cause leanness in ALL carburetor circuits. I'd want it a bit on the high side after these issues.