Engine Mount Safe?
06-06-2010 | 04:50 PM
#1
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From: Ottawa,
ON, CANADA
Engine Mount Safe?
Hi,
I pulled my OS LA 40 off of my Sig 4 Star 40 to clean it and tighten the backplate screws. I just removed the bolts that attach the engine mount to firewall and left the engine attached to the mount. When I re-attached the mount to the firewall I overtightened a screw and heard a crack and now there is a hairline crack through one of the mount-to-firewall bolt holes. See arrow in the picture.
My first choice is to buy a new mount. But, it's Sunday night and I want to fly tomorrow and I probably won't have a chance to fly again for at least week. Plus, I doubt the LHS will have a Sig SIGEM001 Engine Mount (http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...FV4.html?E+Sig) in stock and it will take a week and a half for a new mount to come in.
Do you think I can fly tomorrow with this mount?
There's no cowl and I can easily keep an eye on the bolt attachment. If this attachment point fails, there's still 3 other bolts holding the mount firmly to firewall.
I'll order a new mount and put it on as soon as I get it.
What do you think? Would you fly with this mount?
Thanks.
I pulled my OS LA 40 off of my Sig 4 Star 40 to clean it and tighten the backplate screws. I just removed the bolts that attach the engine mount to firewall and left the engine attached to the mount. When I re-attached the mount to the firewall I overtightened a screw and heard a crack and now there is a hairline crack through one of the mount-to-firewall bolt holes. See arrow in the picture.
My first choice is to buy a new mount. But, it's Sunday night and I want to fly tomorrow and I probably won't have a chance to fly again for at least week. Plus, I doubt the LHS will have a Sig SIGEM001 Engine Mount (http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...FV4.html?E+Sig) in stock and it will take a week and a half for a new mount to come in.
Do you think I can fly tomorrow with this mount?
There's no cowl and I can easily keep an eye on the bolt attachment. If this attachment point fails, there's still 3 other bolts holding the mount firmly to firewall.
I'll order a new mount and put it on as soon as I get it.
What do you think? Would you fly with this mount?
Thanks.
06-06-2010 | 05:42 PM
#3
RE: Engine Mount Safe?
I would use that mount as is for years.
It is crack due to over-compression of the bolt.
That engine will not produce more thrust than 5 lbs; @1.25 each bolt.
If it worries you, due to vibrations, you could wrap it with fiberglass cloth and epoxy.
It is crack due to over-compression of the bolt.
That engine will not produce more thrust than 5 lbs; @1.25 each bolt.
If it worries you, due to vibrations, you could wrap it with fiberglass cloth and epoxy.
