Extended Turbine Storage
Brian, Just a brief note on extended storage.
After the storage period, make sure that the engine is not allowed to be started without priming the fuel pump and watching to be certain that fuel is all the way into the engine before attempting the first start.
When the engine has been stored for any length of time, the bearings will be pretty dry, and should get fuel/lubricant as quickly as possible after starting rotation. If allowed to spin up dry for more than a few seconds, the bearings could be trashed.
When I refuel the aircraft prior to the first flight of the day, I open the ball valve very slightly, and watch the fuel move down the line through the engine pump, and go all the way into the engine. Then, I close the valve and continue fueling up.
During the starting procedure, the engine runs on propane until sufficient EGT is attained before the ECU ramps up the fuel. During this time, there is no lubrication. As soon as the pump is turned on, lubricating fuel is already at the engine, because I primed the fuel pump and line as I fueled up.
The short version:
Whenever the engine is rotated without fuel pressure present, no lubricant is being delivered to the bearings.
The new RAM ECU has a pump and line priming feature that can save the bearings if properly utilized.
Rei's comments are correct.
Good luck,
Harley Condra
BVM REP
RAM REP
Buy American!!!!!!