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why do rotaries spit so much flames?

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Old Dec 20, 2006 | 09:26 PM
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why do rotaries spit so much flames?

i know the rotary engines are notorious for spitting out flames. why is this so? does the air fuel mixture have anything to do with it or is it just the overlap that occurs?
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Old Dec 20, 2006 | 09:50 PM
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they run rich
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Old Dec 27, 2006 | 08:10 PM
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Uh yeah, just because a car runs rich doesn't mean its going to spit flames. That just means its going to smell like gas, and burn eyes.

The rotary engine, by design, is imperfect. The combustion chamber is long and narrow, HORRIBLE if you are trying to get a complete burn.
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Old Dec 27, 2006 | 08:20 PM
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I think it is because of the very high exhaust gas temperature which makes the exhaust sytem hot enough to ignite any raw/unburnt fuel that leaves the exhaust port.
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Old Dec 27, 2006 | 08:33 PM
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Possibly that and they are inefficent in burning all the a/f mixture.
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Old Dec 27, 2006 | 08:37 PM
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I F****D a mermaiiiid
 
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From: Jacksonville, FL
it has to do with a number of factors. The incomplete burn on most turbo rotaries, the tuning, the temperature of the exhaust, the sometimes retarded amount of overlap, the wasted spark ignition... I think a lot of it starts with the factory engine management. The factory computers don't cut the fuel on decel from what i remember, they just run it very lean for better throttle transition. this typically causes a pooling in the exhaust pipes where the heat is generally high enough light it off. now... we all know that we need 3 parts for compbustion - ignition, fuel, and AIR - you see the flames when that cocktail reaches the air.

Ray
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Old Dec 29, 2006 | 09:19 AM
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i remember reading that a large part of why this happens is due to oil being present in the combustion chamber to lubricate the apex seals. don't know for sure though its just something i remember reading on the forum.
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Old Dec 29, 2006 | 03:46 PM
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what's more flammable, oil or gas?
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Old Dec 29, 2006 | 05:26 PM
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maybe it's a combination of everything you guys have mentioned.......
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Old Jan 11, 2007 | 08:52 PM
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maybe its magic
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 04:12 PM
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It has to do with just about everything that was mentioned already.

Most RXs that throw flames have a free flowing exhaust with no cats. This causes the unburnt fuel (from running rich) and noctious (sp?) gasses from combustion (that would normally get burned by the cat) to combust at the tailpipe. This happens because inside the ehaust there is no oxygen, and you can't have a flame without some oxygen present. When this coctail of unburnt gasses hits the atmoshpere outside the exhaust...bam... a flame.
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Old Jan 13, 2007 | 12:55 AM
  #12  
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ay it keeps tailgaters away and sure makes a hell of a scare when poping flames flying at 100mph past a bus stop full of ppl lol
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Old Jan 13, 2007 | 03:36 AM
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lol +1 funny^^^^^^^
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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by TheWoganSleeve
maybe its magic
Thats so funny
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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by TheWoganSleeve
maybe its magic
Harry potter get outta my exhaust system silly goose.
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Old Jan 18, 2007 | 07:35 AM
  #16  
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From: Sherman, Texas USA
Originally Posted by Rotary_Rocket_87
It has to do with just about everything that was mentioned already.

Most RXs that throw flames have a free flowing exhaust with no cats. This causes the unburnt fuel (from running rich) and noctious (sp?) gasses from combustion (that would normally get burned by the cat) to combust at the tailpipe. This happens because inside the ehaust there is no oxygen, and you can't have a flame without some oxygen present. When this coctail of unburnt gasses hits the atmoshpere outside the exhaust...bam... a flame.
Agreed.....
Cuz I spit hot fire....
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