ORIGINAL: invertmast
I've seen a few turbo compressors do exactly this, and it was typically caused by either FOD or over-revving... or a combination of both.
Thomas,
What is considered over-revving in a turbo-charger? I have no idea what kind of RPMs they spin.
ORIGINAL: LGM Graphix
I had a RAM750 that came apart on me and the compressor had chunks missing that were pretty similar looking to that one. Don't know why it came apart, if the engine had ingested FOD before I owned it or what had happened.
ORIGINAL: jet joq
I was on the fourth compressor in nine years and about 600 cycles when my RAM750+ screeched to a halt a week ago. My first thoughts were "not another compressor" gone but this time the rear bearing had failed catastrophically and now the motor is probably not worthwhile rebuilding.
The characteristics of the three failures my Ram compressors had were basically identical except the part of the vane that failed on #1 did not break off. Also interesting to note that the failures happened at approx. 180/360/540 cycles indicating fatigue as the most likely culprit. We used to joke that the next one was expected at about 720 cycles but now I don't think we are going to get there.
Had a great ride with the Ram and all happened on the same Kangaroo.
[img][/img][img][/img]
ORIGINAL: jet joq
I should have also added that #2 & #3 failures occurred with a screen fitted to stop FOD. After #2 failure, we set max. rpm at 105,000 from 120,000, and after #3 failure, we set max. rpm to 95,000. So even with the lower max. revs the compressors continued to fail. Kangaroo performance was down a bit but still OK. Flying only off full size bitumen runways was a big help.
Pete,
I would say this is pretty good evidence as to what happened to yours and with all exhibiting the same end result. I think jet log's first pic showing the beginning of the failure is very revealing. Just picture that break continuing and leaving you with the half-moon shaped piece missing from the outer hub with bent back edges. And given the fact that his last two occurred with a FOD screen eliminates that cause; leaving the RPMs as a main focus. Maybe these older wheels had a problem or were never designed or intended to be spun that fast.
BTW, I might have a compressor for you, but I think it's from a 750. Are they different? Anyways, I'll have to have my wife look for it since I'm gone. Give me a couple days and I'll see if it can be located, if so, it's yours.
George