Perplexing engine trouble
04-11-2011 | 03:35 AM
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From: auburn,
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Perplexing engine trouble
So I was out flying my Hangar 9 Saratoga the other day, it has a saito 82 up front and I have put about 40 trouble free flights on it. Engine has run like a champ but I had some problems that just arose the other day. I have been running Morgan Omega 15% with a little extra castor for the life of the engine. I got a gallon of Morgan Pro pattern 20/20 to run in my OS 70 and it seemed to like it very much. I just tried it in the saito and had a curious problem arise. I went ahead and retuned the high speed with a tach on the first tank of the new fuel and everything seemed fine. Flew for about 5 minutes and while doing a touch and go the engine quit. I restarted it in the pits and noticed bubbles in the fuel line. I ran a few more tanks through it and it would do the same thing every time. It would run great for 4-5 minutes and then lean out and quit. Bubbles would start showing up in the fuel. I havent had time to look over the airplane yet but I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions, things to look for? I don't think the new fuel is the problem, maybe a small hole in one of the fuel lines? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks<br type="_moz" />
Thanks<br type="_moz" />
04-11-2011 | 05:02 AM
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From: Lacona, NY
RE: Perplexing engine trouble
ORIGINAL: ryanjef
So I was out flying my Hangar 9 Saratoga the other day, it has a saito 82 up front and I have put about 40 trouble free flights on it. Engine has run like a champ but I had some problems that just arose the other day. I have been running Morgan Omega 15% with a little extra castor for the life of the engine. I got a gallon of Morgan Pro pattern 20/20 to run in my OS 70 and it seemed to like it very much. I just tried it in the saito and had a curious problem arise. I went ahead and retuned the high speed with a tach on the first tank of the new fuel and everything seemed fine. Flew for about 5 minutes and while doing a touch and go the engine quit. I restarted it in the pits and noticed bubbles in the fuel line. I ran a few more tanks through it and it would do the same thing every time. It would run great for 4-5 minutes and then lean out and quit. Bubbles would start showing up in the fuel. I havent had time to look over the airplane yet but I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions, things to look for? I don't think the new fuel is the problem, maybe a small hole in one of the fuel lines? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks<br type=''_moz'' />
So I was out flying my Hangar 9 Saratoga the other day, it has a saito 82 up front and I have put about 40 trouble free flights on it. Engine has run like a champ but I had some problems that just arose the other day. I have been running Morgan Omega 15% with a little extra castor for the life of the engine. I got a gallon of Morgan Pro pattern 20/20 to run in my OS 70 and it seemed to like it very much. I just tried it in the saito and had a curious problem arise. I went ahead and retuned the high speed with a tach on the first tank of the new fuel and everything seemed fine. Flew for about 5 minutes and while doing a touch and go the engine quit. I restarted it in the pits and noticed bubbles in the fuel line. I ran a few more tanks through it and it would do the same thing every time. It would run great for 4-5 minutes and then lean out and quit. Bubbles would start showing up in the fuel. I havent had time to look over the airplane yet but I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions, things to look for? I don't think the new fuel is the problem, maybe a small hole in one of the fuel lines? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks<br type=''_moz'' />
Is your glow tank well padded, and is it touching any wood? Is your Prop ballanced? Is any of your engine mounting bolts loose from either from the firewall or engine mount? Your glow fuel will bubble from excessive vibrations causing your engine to lean out because of the air bubbles in your fuel.
Pete
04-11-2011 | 06:00 AM
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From: auburn,
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RE: Perplexing engine trouble
I will definately pull the prop and check the balance, I know it was balanced when it went on, I balance the hubs also. The spinner might be a little out of balance as it has been chewed up by a starter a little bit. All the engine mount bolts are snug and I went ahead and put new fuel lines on and added more padding to the tank. I dont see anything obvious. I hate problems like this, it had been running so well. Thanks
04-11-2011 | 06:28 AM
#4
My Feedback: (-1)
RE: Perplexing engine trouble
You have an air leak someplace in your system. Fuel today has an anti foaming agent in it and fuel foaming is pretty much a thing of the past. Check your lines, and bung. If you still have a problem then check the lines inside the tank. By putting your tank under water and pressure testing it you can usually find the leak right away.
04-11-2011 | 11:34 AM
#5
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Perplexing engine trouble
I agree a principle suspect is the clunk line inside the tank. Also if you are using a filling valve, get rid of it.
Consider replacing your bung type tank with a genuine Hayes and use a two line system. I take a lot of heat over this last suggestion but thats OK because its a fact there are fewer things that can go wrong
John
Consider replacing your bung type tank with a genuine Hayes and use a two line system. I take a lot of heat over this last suggestion but thats OK because its a fact there are fewer things that can go wrong
John
04-11-2011 | 11:41 AM
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From: auburn,
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RE: Perplexing engine trouble
Thanks for the suggestions. Im definately gonna pull the tank when I get home and see if I can find a leak. I already replaced the lines but I haven't looked at the bung or the lines in the tank. And Im not running a quick fuel valve, just a simple two line setup. Now If I could only get the wind to calm down so I can fly
04-11-2011 | 04:36 PM
#7
My Feedback: (-1)
RE: Perplexing engine trouble
Pull the tank, leave the two lines attached, plug one line, put the tank in a sink under water and blow into the tank through the open line. No leakage? Plug the line you blew into and do it again. No bubbles? Now it's time to check the inside lines. Just looking at the lines doesn't work if it's just a hole, you can miss it and still have the problem. I use the Hayes but I don't fell as strong about them as John. I like three line systems on my cowled planes and use a fuel DOT. John uses a split line. I use that too. I just don't feel very strongly about the brands and types of tanks I use. Ambytankturs.
04-11-2011 | 05:04 PM
#8
RE: Perplexing engine trouble
As Gray and John, I am sure it is a pin hole or crack in the inside pick up tube that is submerged for five minutes and starts sucking air from the top of the tank after that time.
Just to make sure before doing surgery, you could try feeding the engine (or the tank via vent) with another tank and see what happens after those five minutes.
Regards
Just to make sure before doing surgery, you could try feeding the engine (or the tank via vent) with another tank and see what happens after those five minutes.
Regards
04-12-2011 | 06:10 AM
#9
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RE: Perplexing engine trouble
Once I had a similar problem that I traced to a sharp endge on the fuel tank metal tubing. The edge of the metal tubing had cut the fuel line, and allowed a small leak at that juncture.
Les
Les
04-12-2011 | 10:30 AM
#10
RE: Perplexing engine trouble
Hi!
It's simple! You have a leak in your fuel tank! I have experienced this many times in racing when the rubber fuel stopper gets worn out, or the tubing leaks (Thats why I , and most other racers use Tettra "Bubbleless" tanks).
It's certainly not vibration/fuel foaming or anything else.
It's simple! You have a leak in your fuel tank! I have experienced this many times in racing when the rubber fuel stopper gets worn out, or the tubing leaks (Thats why I , and most other racers use Tettra "Bubbleless" tanks).
It's certainly not vibration/fuel foaming or anything else.
