Saito 180 vibration!!!!!!!
05-28-2006, 10:20 AM
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Saito 180 vibration!!!!!!!
Saito 180 runs ok but vibrates muffler off on every flight. Basically one flight per trip to the field. Used lock tight high temp, ensured prop and spinner balanced and valves adjusted. I've done everything but literally weld the muffler pipe and assembly to the dang engine. Put a new Saito straight pipe muffler on the engine and it vibrated it in half within 30 seconds of engine run up. Anybody else have this problem? I will not recommend this engine to anyone. At this point in time it is being sent back to Saito for resoulution. I wish I would have bought an O.S. or went with gas. This has been a huge frustrating mistake. Anybody else have this problem and what did Saito/Horizon do to fix it.
I really think Saito pushed the limits for a four stroke engine.....not in a good way. Think long and hard before you by one of these big 4 strokes.[:@]
I really think Saito pushed the limits for a four stroke engine.....not in a good way. Think long and hard before you by one of these big 4 strokes.[:@]
05-28-2006, 10:48 AM
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RE: Saito 180 vibration!!!!!!!
Welcome to RCU....
The problem is not only related to Saito engines. The problem is a steel header threaded into an aluminum head. First off you have to de-burr the header pipe with a Scotch-Brite pad or a brass wire brush and take the edge off the male thread of the steel header. Install the jamn-nuts and wrap a few turns of Teflon tape on the header pipe. This will take up any slack in the threads. Never had another come loose.
The problem you may have now is the aluminum female thread in the head is now worn out and will need to be repaired or replaced?
The problem is not only related to Saito engines. The problem is a steel header threaded into an aluminum head. First off you have to de-burr the header pipe with a Scotch-Brite pad or a brass wire brush and take the edge off the male thread of the steel header. Install the jamn-nuts and wrap a few turns of Teflon tape on the header pipe. This will take up any slack in the threads. Never had another come loose.
The problem you may have now is the aluminum female thread in the head is now worn out and will need to be repaired or replaced?
05-28-2006, 11:19 AM
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RE: Saito 180 vibration!!!!!!!
ORIGINAL: dvr
Saito 180 runs ok but vibrates muffler off on every flight. Basically one flight per trip to the field. Used lock tight high temp, ensured prop and spinner balanced and valves adjusted. I've done everything but literally weld the muffler pipe and assembly to the dang engine. Put a new Saito straight pipe muffler on the engine and it vibrated it in half within 30 seconds of engine run up. Anybody else have this problem? I will not recommend this engine to anyone. At this point in time it is being sent back to Saito for resoulution. I wish I would have bought an O.S. or went with gas. This has been a huge frustrating mistake. Anybody else have this problem and what did Saito/Horizon do to fix it.
I really think Saito pushed the limits for a four stroke engine.....not in a good way. Think long and hard before you by one of these big 4 strokes.[:@]
Saito 180 runs ok but vibrates muffler off on every flight. Basically one flight per trip to the field. Used lock tight high temp, ensured prop and spinner balanced and valves adjusted. I've done everything but literally weld the muffler pipe and assembly to the dang engine. Put a new Saito straight pipe muffler on the engine and it vibrated it in half within 30 seconds of engine run up. Anybody else have this problem? I will not recommend this engine to anyone. At this point in time it is being sent back to Saito for resoulution. I wish I would have bought an O.S. or went with gas. This has been a huge frustrating mistake. Anybody else have this problem and what did Saito/Horizon do to fix it.
I really think Saito pushed the limits for a four stroke engine.....not in a good way. Think long and hard before you by one of these big 4 strokes.[:@]
The muffler loosening may or may not be cured with a little work, but I suggest you first take a long hard look at your prop balance.
Good luck,
Dave Olson
05-28-2006, 12:58 PM
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RE: Saito 180 vibration!!!!!!!
It is not vibration but tortional impulses caused by a light engine and heavy power pulses. A prop with some meat to it helps. The Teflon tape and some serious torque on the wrench saves the day.
06-01-2006, 12:14 PM
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RE: Saito 180 vibration!!!!!!!
Had the same problem when I tried a Saito-180 on a Great Planes super stearman. The muffler was becoming loose almost every time. Moreover, engine vibration produced cracks even in the hinges of the elevators.
Finally I replaced the engine and put back an OS FT-160 and have the smoothest flights ever since. The plane is so smooth that I usually put my video camera on it to take some aerial video!
However, Saito-180 is a very powerful engine and in the future I will try the teflon tape solution together with some special engine mount that absorbs vibrations.
Stelios
Finally I replaced the engine and put back an OS FT-160 and have the smoothest flights ever since. The plane is so smooth that I usually put my video camera on it to take some aerial video!
However, Saito-180 is a very powerful engine and in the future I will try the teflon tape solution together with some special engine mount that absorbs vibrations.
Stelios
06-01-2006, 01:27 PM
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RE: Saito 180 vibration!!!!!!!
Some airframes can not handle the tortional impulses from a large and powerfull single cylinder engine. If the airframe is not strong enough then a twin cylinder engine or a heavier and weaker single cylinder engine the better choice.
