I think I know the answer, but thought I would check anyway......I have a P-180, second owner, serial#18022........about 15-20 total 10 minute runs....starts and runs flawlessly in a Eurosport.....no funny noises during start, run, or shutdown noted.....no FOD history....FOD screen in place......

Problem: About every 2 or 3 runs, if I let the engine cool down for say 30 minutes, the turbine freezes up, just slightly(a light finger push on the compressor gets it turning again) but it is tight enough such that the starter stalls and won't start a normal spool....If I do a restart after a quick re-fuel, while it is still hot, say in about 10 minutes or less, it never sticks......once I get it turning after a freeze up, it spins very smoothly with no funny noises.....and then starts normally....

On inspection the compressor looks fine.....what I can see of the turbine blades and NGV look O.K, but of course,can't see much behind the wheel.....

Question is.......should the engine be returned for inspection.....?


Thanks in advance.....Tom

Mine Jetcat G-70 behaves exactly like yours, only maybe not so frequent. Sometimes it sticks, other times it's fine. It started after about 2 hours on the counter. Just a fingertip is needed to loosen it. Jet A1 and Aeroshell 500/560 is used.

Hi Tom,

I think the rear bearing is a bit tight. As you said, the hand spinning always cures it, but if it is annoying you should send it in.

hope that helps,

Thanks for the comments Matt.......I suspected a bearing origin, as I have run various thicknesses of shims between the compressor and inlet cone and turbine wheel and NGV and could not demonstrate scuffing as the cause.......

Operative word in your post is "annoying".......it's in a Eurosport.....can't get at the compressor to spin it when it is tight as there is a FOD screen flat up against the rear bulkhead, so have to pull the bottom hatch, slide the pipe back to get at the wheel to free it......

So might have to send it in if problem persists.....

Tom