P60 Start Problem
 

Guys,

I've got a P60 with ECU ver 5.0. Had some start problems 3 or 4 months ago where engine wouldn't always start on first start. You recommended replacing thermocouple, which I did. Engine started fine for 3 or 4 weekends, but now is having problems again and wouldn't start at all this weekend after 7 tries.
Either get Low Temp, or Slow Accel non-starts.
New O ring, new thermocouple 1/8 inch into the exhaust nozzle, new can of Powermax, Jet A off the truck at a local airport with 1 quart of BP turbine oil in 5 gal can. After every other non-start, tipped the airplane on it's nose and blew the fuel out to ensure no raw fuel was on the thermocouple end or pooled in the engine. Barry Mattingly is a friend and was there and both he and I have run out of ideas. What's next?

Jerry Neuberger

RE: P60 Start Problem
 

is the propane igniting? if so it sounds like the fuel pump start voltage may be a little low.

RE: P60 Start Problem
 

Powermax is lighting just fine, fuel selinoid is toggling just like it always has and getting good fuel flow (which is why I had to dump pooling fuel after every other start attempt). Haven't had a problem with the fuel pump voltage for any of the previous (approximately 250) starts. Duralights still show 7.6 volts after 7 start attempts so voltage should be good.

Thanks for the ideas though!

RE: P60 Start Problem
 

starter might be hanging then if it's igniting the propane and then failing out with raw fuel in the combustion chamber.

RE: P60 Start Problem
 

Hi Jerry,

That is a tricky one. The puzzler is that it is lighting on Powermax. So how is liquid fuel getting into the turbine?

Maybe a broken needle? Let me talk to Bob about it tomorrow and get back to you. Can you PM me a number I can call you at?

Regards,