CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

I am so angry I could [sm=cry_smile.gif]

My brand new engine just out of the box.

I was assembling my engine for my LT-25 build when removing one of the bolts from the engine mount I ripped a chunk of my engine underneath the muffler case.
I had no idea the metal on an engine can be so soft.

Please tell me this is an easy fix as there is no way it will work proper now. The exhaust will just come out of the hole and it will be noisy as all heck, as well as probably more at stake.

Please look at the pics and recommend an easy and permanent fix that hopefully won't be too noticeable. And no, I no longer have the chunk around so it is not available to reattach.

The chunk is about 1/8" deep and 1/2" across.

PLEASE HELP

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

Very easy fix, buy a new engine.

I know that sounds harsh, but with the placement of the missing piece any repair is going to be very difficult. That portion of the engine will be exposed to high heat and vibrations which make just about any repair attempts next to impossible. You could try JB Weld, but I wouldn't hold my breath that it's going to last.

Ken

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

First things first - the metal on a model engine is NOT that soft!

It can and does take a LOT of abuse without breaking!

Unless you have dropped this engine from a great height this should NOT have happened![:@]

You have a defineate defect from the manufacturer! Send it back for replacement!!

IF they will not replace it you need to go to the local hardware store and buy a package of J&B Weld - a high temp Metal Epoxy - you'll figure out how to mold it to fit easily enough. ;)

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

WOW!!!

Ummmm, not to go down the wrong path, however that sure shows the quality of the motor. What is it?

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

It's a GMS2000 .32

Bought it from Towerhobbies, what are the chances I can get an exchange?
Don't know about any warranties and I no longer have the shipping box or papers. And I don't know about contacting the manufacturer.

What do you use to repair holes and such in car motors? I imagine they get just as hot.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

That's just it, you don't repair holes in car engines either. It's really an interesting place for a piece to break off. If there were no outside forces that caused it then you should contact Tower and tell them about it. Even without the box you should be able to return it (I save every box and manual for all of my engines. The make a great place to store engines when you're not using them). Like I said, repairs are going to be very difficult to do so that they are permenant. As I said, you can try but don't get your hopes up.

Ken

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

A check book.:D Seriously, this is not going to be easy and if you start glopping stuff on it in an attempt to repair the chances of getting it exchanged go down.

If you can remember approx when you bought it I'd call Tower and see what they have to say. I still don't know how that happened.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

If it's something you yourself did, then it's not something a warranty would cover. Lessons aren't always cheap.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

I've been VERY impressed with tower's warranty service. I called them a few months back and said "I am an idiot and put my tower .75 muffler together without locktite, and it came off in flight. Do you think you can send me another one for free?" Tower rep "yep, sounds like we owe you another muffler.."

that easy!

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

Send it back to Tower, pay the difference and get an OS.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

I sent them an email but not expecting anything as I checked my past account with them and I purchased this back in December. I explained the situation to them and found an engine I can exchange with but its only a .28, bit smaller than the .32 I have but all they had in stock for close to same size. It is a Magnum XS28. Are Magnums any good?

No way to solder some kind of fix on it, huh?

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

if nothing else you might find a machine shop that could repair it, as long as it wasn’t over half of the engine cost it might be worth it. it would require tearing down the engine. I have a mig/tig welder that is a 110 unit if it were my engine I would attempt fixing it. as far as glues or patch fixing it the damage is in a bad place to try to repair that way.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

I don't think repair is an option, in terms of being worth doing or economics. A new crankcase is $20.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

wow dude, that really bites the big one...what did you do, tap the screw with a hammer or something? you gotta be more careful. take your time. i'd call tower and try to get a replacement from them. or like mikel said...a new case would be and easy fix if that doesnt work. good luck and let us know what happens.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

Tiger, I used to work at a machine shop (I did dissasembly and reassembly of engines) I learned alot about the trade. Even if the machinist could fix that crack which would require tig welding to fill the crack and some light machining to resurface. the heat produced would traslate into other parts of the engine It is only cast aluminum. After any major welding was done on a block (we only did this if the engine was rare) a full machine was done to the engine to ensure the block was in check. So in reality to repair that engine properly would cost the price of 3 new GMS .32 or more.

Here is a link to the new block for that engine it's only $20. If tower can't do an exchange or replacement the repair is very simple
and straight forward. to replace the block is the same procedure as replacing the bearings which you will need to learn to do some day.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEGP8&P=Z : link to crank case.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

GMS engines have a 2 year warranty, and Tower is amazingly easy to get along with when it comes to replacing things that we screw up. (Not to say you did- I don't know what the circumstances were) Call Hobby Services and tell them what happened, I'm 99.9% sure you will get a whole new replacement engine. If you ordered it over the net, you can go to the website and click on "my account" - you can find your invoice there, or call tower- they can find it also.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

I think I will go the new crankcase route. $20 (+ shipping) + paying local hobby shop $10 to replace = LESS THAN BUYING NEW ENGINE
I do not want to attempt taking the engine apart myself, too many small parts I will lose and I'd never get it together again :eek:

Thank you all so much for quick responses.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

Post # 15 has the link.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

Actually, metal castings can be very brittle. I have knocked cooling fins off on more than one occaision [:@]

The area that is damaged is not a good one, and it won't be covered under warranty - that's the bad news

The good news is, before you dish out any cash for a new case or engine, try JB weld.

My dad has an OS91 on which he stripped the muffler threads in the head. He used JB Weld and that engine has been running for years like that.

The combination of JB Weld AND the fact that the muffler will help to hold it on, I'm willing to bet that it will work just fine.

I know that if I did it, that's the first thing I would try

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

Maybe after using the JB Weld I could coat that with Seal-All sealant. Says on the tube that it is gas and oil resistant. What do you think?

I think I will still purchase the replacement crankcase as a backup.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

Ever consider installing the screws from the bottom and putting the nuts/lockwashers on the top side of the mounting flange?

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

No, bruce, I have never even considered that [X(] didn't know it was an option, I always thought they had to go from the top. But now that I know I think maybe I should do that from now on. Thank you for that suggestion.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

It comes in most handy if you have a thick mount and need to use long screws.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

Try this:

Clean the area with denatured alcohol. Install the muffler as normal. Now, apply red RTV silicone around the area that is opened from the break. It should hold. And even if you don't do anything, the hole is so small it won't make much more noise than normal, it will just add a bit of extra oil around the engine compartment. If you live in a rural area, fly without the muffler. We used to fly without mufflers all the time 'back in the day'.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

I think I will apply the JB Weld and then top-coat with Seal-All sealant or RTV silicone. Double protection, gotta work at least for now until I can get a new crankcase for it and get someone to put it on.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

RTV might be the best solution if it will hold. No vibrations, easy to apply, and cheap. Easy to reapply if you ever need to.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

BTW, When I said use JB Weld, what I meant was - Glue the original piece back in with JB Weld. Don't try to just fill the hole with it.

Clean it all good with alcohol first.

Once the piece is in place, add a blob of JB Weld on the underside of it for extra strength. Just keep the muffler side clean for a good seal with the muffler.

If you get some JB Weld on the seal, wait till it's cured and then chip or sand it off rather than try to wipe it off which could make the piece move out of place - unless you can easily clean it without the piece moving.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

YNOT has a point. I am guessing you got the GMS 32 due to cost vs. ADVERTISED performance. A GMS is harder to break in and tune than a good ole OS .25 and as a beginner you need stick time in the air; not a bunch of frustration on the ground. Get an OS .25 LA. It will fly your plane just fine and be far more reliable in the air. Your second plane will not likely be a .25 size plane so your .32 won't be any more transferable than the .25 unless you are going for combat planes. I know what your thinking, "I already paid for this one and I don't want to waste what I have in it." I know because I have been there and ignored the advice and ended up spending more money in the long run for it. What ever you decide... Best of luck, have fun with it and don't quit.:D

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

From post #1: "And no, I no longer have the chunk around so it is not available to reattach."

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

It seems like it would be easy to square up the area of the missing piece and make a new one to fit.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

I will attempt to fix it. I went to Home Depot and got some JB Weld and something called Super Glue All-purpose Permanent Patch that cures with light source http://superglue.supergluecorp.com/15296.html It is a fiberglass-reinforced polyester patch that you cut to the size you need and press where you need it applied, it is activated with sunlight or UV light and is ideal for pipes, metal, concrete, tanks, exhaust pipes, mufflers, and engine parts, and is watertight and durable.

I was thinking seeing as though I no longer have the chunk that broke off I could first apply a patch as mentioned to fill it in, followed by the JB weld, and lastly a coating of Seal-All sealant. That has to accomplish something for now. Probably down the road I will need the crankcase replaced.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

That's an awful lot of stuff to put in a very small space, where you don't exactly have a lot of surface area. Why not just fix it right, and get on with enjoying the engine?

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

And the only other engines I have available is a .40 and a sport .45, Both way to big for a trainer of this size and weight.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

If Tower Hobbies won't replace the engine under warranty - assuming that it is a defect, why not just buy a new crankcase? Tower has them for $19.99 [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEGP8&P=X]here[/link] and all you would need to do is take the guts from the old one and put them into the new instead of trying to Southern Engineer something that might cause more problems than it is worth.

Just my .000002 worth,

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

I just think that the crankcase is $20, maybe $25 with shipping. You're going to spend how much on materials? You've got minimal surface area to work with. That patch you're looking at depends on surface area to work--they're designed for auto mufflers and such, where surface area just isn't an issue.

It's not hard to disassemble an engine. There things you have to be mindful of, but it's not tough. Seeing as you don't appear to have the firewall put on yet, the plane can't be ready to go.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

OK, I am sold. Decision made. I will order the new crankcase early this coming week, but still feel safer paying Local Hobby Shop say $10 to do it for me. Still cheaper than new engine. And as of tonight the firewall is attached.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

In the Navy, we used a product called "DEVCON" , similar to jb weld, but a lot stronger, if the first conglomeration doesnt stick try some, use a pop sickle stick or something, even heavy card stock to make a dam inside the opening and then file down level with the muff mount area, should be fine, ps 2 stroke engines are a snap to change crankcases, need an oven or a heat gun and about 1/2 hour, lot of paitence, you can have a good engine

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

Maybe someone could show me a diagram or something on how to do it, or pics. If not I think it safer for me to have LHS do it for me, I know he will, hes done soldering for me and fixed an expensive battery pack for me. I know I would lose some small parts and not be able to put it back together.

RE: CHUNK OUT OF ENGINE - PLEASE HELP
 

And never-the-less, the patches and sealant will come in handy the next time my tenants need repairs done. You know how things are - plumbing and heating always going [:'(]