MDS 218 anybody used one?
06-17-2003, 12:58 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (6)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MDS 218 anybody used one?
I was thinking about buying a MDS 218 to put in NWHT P-40. I was wondering about how much power do they have and how reliable do you think they are? I have read the spec's on the engine but would like to hear from someone with hands on exp.
Thanks
Rick
Thanks
Rick
06-17-2003, 01:21 AM
#2
My Feedback: (102)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Colonial Beach, VA
Posts: 20,370
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
25 Posts
MDS 2.18
I have a 2.18 and it runs very well, starts easy, has never quit for any reason. I run it on Fox 5% nitro fuel an 18x10 ProZinger and am waiting for a Cleveland Cyclonic 18x10. Clarence Lee tested one a couple of months ago and liked it. Mine turns about 1,400 more rpm than he got, but mine has been run more. It is very smooth running, I have a Bisson muffler on it and it came with a H9 Super plug that has been flawless. After priming, one or two back flips start it every time. Moki 2.10 mufflers and radial mounts fit on it.
06-17-2003, 01:29 AM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (6)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MDS 218 anybody used one?
hobbsy,
Thanks for the information. The MDS engines have a bad reputation at the field I fly at but a hobby shop I deal with is going to give me good deal on one and the spec's look pretty good also. I think I will just go with it!
Thanks
Rick
Thanks for the information. The MDS engines have a bad reputation at the field I fly at but a hobby shop I deal with is going to give me good deal on one and the spec's look pretty good also. I think I will just go with it!
Thanks
Rick
06-17-2003, 04:01 PM
#4
Senior Member
MDS 218 anybody used one?
Be sure the MDS you get has a carb that looks like its cast aluminum. The early big MDS's had a shiney machined carb that the cause of all the problems. For the last few months all of the .148 to 2.1 MDS engines have been coming with the new cast carb.
Bright alloy carb = Bad
Cast grey carb = Good
Bright alloy carb = Bad
Cast grey carb = Good
07-02-2003, 11:56 AM
#6
My Feedback: (12)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Jacksonville,
IL
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
??????
Hobbsy:
Hope you can answer/help with this.
We have about 4 MDS 2.18's in our club.
3/4 are doing the samething.
Sounds great on the ground and transitioins well, as soon as you take off the engines want to start sputtering/coughing etc.... try to clear them out and you wonder if you are going to make it.
Tried high-low end settings and not much luck.
One guy is trying a Perry pump this weekend.
Thanks for a reply.
Hope you can answer/help with this.
We have about 4 MDS 2.18's in our club.
3/4 are doing the samething.
Sounds great on the ground and transitioins well, as soon as you take off the engines want to start sputtering/coughing etc.... try to clear them out and you wonder if you are going to make it.
Tried high-low end settings and not much luck.
One guy is trying a Perry pump this weekend.
Thanks for a reply.
07-02-2003, 01:06 PM
#8
My Feedback: (12)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Jacksonville,
IL
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
5% AND 10% AND 5% HOME BREW
All are trying different things.
Most of them are using the plug that came with (?????) I do not think any have changed that (???) Do you recommend a plug to use/try.
Thanks
Some think the mid range is the problem????
Most of them are using the plug that came with (?????) I do not think any have changed that (???) Do you recommend a plug to use/try.
Thanks
Some think the mid range is the problem????
07-02-2003, 01:20 PM
#9
My Feedback: (8)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Colorado Springs,
CO
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
MDS 218 anybody used one?
Please note that MDS engines regardless of size prefer a little less nitro and a HOT plug and prefer a slightly smaller prop to rev than their competitor's equally sized engine.
A OS 3 or OS 8 glow plug are fine. In some instances depending on your setup a 4 stroke plug may be better (OS F is best) but I have never had luck with the Enya #3 which in my experience appears to be cooler than an OS 3.
Muffler backpressure may be insufficient on some aftermarket mufflers and this will cause problems. Partially or fully plugging an exhaust stack should fix this.
In my extensive MDS experience 20% oil in fuel appears to degrade ease of tuning. For the larger MDS engines 16-17% oil is perfect. I believe the oil content effects actual ignition timing. (remember that the actual time that the glow plug ignites the mixture is dependent on nitro content, compression, oil content, glow plug heat range, and other factors). If you use lower nitro 5% and less then you probably can get away with 20% oil. However, if you use 10-15% nitro, it'd be better if you didn't use 20% oil. This is based on actual personal experience with the MDs line.
A OS 3 or OS 8 glow plug are fine. In some instances depending on your setup a 4 stroke plug may be better (OS F is best) but I have never had luck with the Enya #3 which in my experience appears to be cooler than an OS 3.
Muffler backpressure may be insufficient on some aftermarket mufflers and this will cause problems. Partially or fully plugging an exhaust stack should fix this.
In my extensive MDS experience 20% oil in fuel appears to degrade ease of tuning. For the larger MDS engines 16-17% oil is perfect. I believe the oil content effects actual ignition timing. (remember that the actual time that the glow plug ignites the mixture is dependent on nitro content, compression, oil content, glow plug heat range, and other factors). If you use lower nitro 5% and less then you probably can get away with 20% oil. However, if you use 10-15% nitro, it'd be better if you didn't use 20% oil. This is based on actual personal experience with the MDs line.
07-02-2003, 01:23 PM
#10
My Feedback: (12)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Jacksonville,
IL
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks
Homebrewer for this post and the email.
Will pass all that along to our members.
I am in Jacksonville, IL, stop by anytime and fly.
Glad to have you.
Do you make it to Fly Ins our way?
Will pass all that along to our members.
I am in Jacksonville, IL, stop by anytime and fly.
Glad to have you.
Do you make it to Fly Ins our way?
07-02-2003, 02:10 PM
#11
My Feedback: (102)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Colonial Beach, VA
Posts: 20,370
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
25 Posts
Plugs and stuff
I use the original H9 Super plug in mine and Fox 5% with 20% lube that is half castor and half syn. W8YE and I tried 10% fuel with 16% oil and it hammered like a Mack 711 and got hot so back to Fox I went. I started on a Sig 1/3 scale SpaceWalker for it yesterday. Can't wait. The Bisson muffler I have makes plenty of muff. pressure, I even tried a Cline regulator on it run off the exhaust and it pressurized the tank enough to bulge it.
07-07-2003, 02:45 PM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Troy, Michigan
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Same problems with an MDS 1.48
I have an MDS 1.48 and having the same problems that are in
this thread. I've checked and replaced all the fuel lines. I've
sealed the carb o-ring. Made sure that the fuel is not foaming.
Etc etc etc and on and on. This past weekend I almost crashed my new 300 extra for the 2nd time with this engine. It was running good on the ground, but as soon as I took off, it coughed sputtered and died. I'm so fed up with this engine that I'd like
to take a hammer to it. Now I see that it could be the carb itself.
Does any one know if the cast v.s. the the machined carb is really
the cause of these problems? If the cast aluminum carb is the
answer, then how can I get one?
this thread. I've checked and replaced all the fuel lines. I've
sealed the carb o-ring. Made sure that the fuel is not foaming.
Etc etc etc and on and on. This past weekend I almost crashed my new 300 extra for the 2nd time with this engine. It was running good on the ground, but as soon as I took off, it coughed sputtered and died. I'm so fed up with this engine that I'd like
to take a hammer to it. Now I see that it could be the carb itself.
Does any one know if the cast v.s. the the machined carb is really
the cause of these problems? If the cast aluminum carb is the
answer, then how can I get one?
07-07-2003, 07:49 PM
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Troy, Michigan
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MDS 218 anybody used one?
Thanks Dave. I called Horizon and they have a new (cast)
carb on the way. Once I get it I'll post in this thread to say
if it did the trick or not.
carb on the way. Once I get it I'll post in this thread to say
if it did the trick or not.
07-08-2003, 04:20 AM
#15
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Ponoka, AB,
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MDS
Hi,
My friend has a 2.18 and it runs well for him.
Normal glow fuel with 5% nitro, stock plug and a 20x10 Menz ultra prop.
I think he actually read the instructions and followed them.
A novel idea indeed!
H-9 4 cycle plug p/n HAN3011 does work well and the instructions offer the K&B 1L as an option.
He likes the way the engine performs with the 20x10.
Great power and reliable.
I run a MDS 1.48 and it is doing very well for me!
Check the following thread:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...42&forumid=209
Good Luck!
Johnn
My friend has a 2.18 and it runs well for him.
Normal glow fuel with 5% nitro, stock plug and a 20x10 Menz ultra prop.
I think he actually read the instructions and followed them.
A novel idea indeed!
H-9 4 cycle plug p/n HAN3011 does work well and the instructions offer the K&B 1L as an option.
He likes the way the engine performs with the 20x10.
Great power and reliable.
I run a MDS 1.48 and it is doing very well for me!
Check the following thread:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...42&forumid=209
Good Luck!
Johnn
07-08-2003, 11:21 AM
#16
My Feedback: (102)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Colonial Beach, VA
Posts: 20,370
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
25 Posts
Han 3011
Johnny, glad to see that you picked up on the Han 3011 SuperPlug thing. I've been to a couple of hobby shops that are selling the Han 3010 as a SuperPlug, but it is a McCoy High Performance, people buy it thinking it is a SuperPlug and then are disappointed. I've mentioned this on here two or three times so people will know.
07-09-2003, 06:41 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oslo, NORWAY
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MDS 218 anybody used one?
I think Clarence Lee put one through it's paces in last months RCM. He was well happy!
I personally have never had any success with MDS engines down the strip... I've seen so much pain and suffering due to a MDS purchase but as they say, it's all down to experience.Mr. Lee has plenty of that, he could make a loaf of bread run perfectly!
I personally have never had any success with MDS engines down the strip... I've seen so much pain and suffering due to a MDS purchase but as they say, it's all down to experience.Mr. Lee has plenty of that, he could make a loaf of bread run perfectly!
08-27-2003, 03:34 AM
#19
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Colorado Springs,
CO
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MDS 218 anybody used one?
We are using the MDS 2.18 in the Patty Wagstaff 300 and it is great. Turning a 20X8 Pro Zinger at 8200 RPM with 15% Magnum fuel, and using the Perry Pump. Great plane and engine combo!!
This is being run in Colo. at 7200 FT. GREAT ENGINE
This is being run in Colo. at 7200 FT. GREAT ENGINE
