What's the signs that the P60 starter O ring is wearing/worn out? My P60 has been making bad noises at startup for quite some time. Its not any bearing problem. I just had it at JetCatUSA last week for service under warranty and mentioned in my writeup about the starter making noises. They relaigned the starter but the dang thing still makes crappy noises. In fact I got a few miss starts on Sunday.
Also if it is the starter O ring can anybody point me to directions on replacing it? I didn't see anything in the manual or on JetCatUSA website.

I'm going to attend Bardstown, Ky jet rally next weekend and don't want to have to put up with this nonsense.

Dave Rigotti

Dave, is it sticking on the compressor nut? If so try a few drops of electronic/tuner cleaner on it and let dry. WD-40 will work too. If it's buzzing does it do it right away or after the engine picks up? If it is buzzing after the engine picks up, the turbine could be over-running the starter motor because it's not disengaging in time...hard on starter motor bearings.

Mark,
I pretty sure it is worn out. It won't even spin the turbine up fast enough to begin the ignition sequence. It isn't sticking. The Bendix unit working properly.

Dave

Dave, you're doing entirely too much flying if you wore it out. I'm jealous.[>:]

I wish! Got 30 flights on the R54 including 2 flameouts. Don't mount the tank with the forward facing clunk! I'll have pictures in a day or so showing a rear facing clunk. trust me on this!

Dave

Dave, try cleaning the o ring with some alcohol. you may have some oil or fuel on the oring, if after that you still having problems replace the o ring and check the starter is not being over run by the engine causing the o ring to wear out.

Did that several weeks ago. My P60 has many many starts on it. Up until last week I had 4 out of 5 miss starts. It seems the ECU was programmed incorrectly from the factory. Returned to JetCatUSA for warranty service and the starter still make awful noises. It dosen't miss start now...but now it won't spin it fast enough to iniate the ignition sequence.

Dave Rigotti

Quick and dirty solution...pop the O ring out and take a trip down to the local hardware store and see if you can find a match..... if not, try putting it in backwards ( ie with the worn side towards the starter motor, and the fresh side towards the spinner nut......)

Nony's got it....turn the O-ring around.... just like putting in a new one...then get yourseld a spare or two as backups...
Todd

Turning the oring around routinely doesn't work as they get destroyed removing them. They are held in with a drop of CA and you rip them up removing them.

Dave, I am not getting this. The engine started numerous times without fail when it was in. Never had a problem with it ramping up by the starter during the sequence. You are saying the stater cannot spin the engine to begin the satrt sequence. I can send you a couple of orings and walk you through the replacment process, it isn't hard. Let me knwo what you want me to do.

Is the starter motor assembly properly aligned ?

With the flexible mount approach used by Jetcat, I've found that you may sometimes be unaware that due to interference with the airframe, or simply being bumped during installation, the starter mount may be slightly misaligned (and even pulled very slightly out), causing similar odd noises etc. during the start attempt.

If you feel the starter is not spinning fast enough to start the turbine you might check your ECU battery or charger you are using to charge that battery. Could it be that your ECU battery is not providing enough power to handle the start sequence?

ECU 6 cell battery is fine at 8.4VDC fully charged. JetCatUSA is sending some replacement Orings at no cost (great service!). To clear things up...The Oring is worn out to the point it would not spin the turbine up fast enough to initiate the ignition, about 5-6,000RPM. The ECU start sequence is fine now. No problem there at all. Its more of a mechanical thing. When I flipped it around it spun at almost 11,000RPM. The starter motor and ECU battery is fine. I did manage to get it flipped around without destroying it at all (beginners luck?) Anyway being new to turbines I wanted to know the symptoms of a worn out starter Oring. Now I know what they are.

BTW...pour a little debonder in the starter cup and the CA "unsticks" clean as a whistle!
Thanks for all the replies.

Dave Rigotti

I have never had a problem flipping mine around.... Little stretch of the oring breaks the CA bond easily...

Dave,
I am sorry to hear about the little problem you had with your P-60, if by any chance you are not satified with Jetcat, I have 2 brand new Artes Super B engines 14lbs of thrust that I would trade with you anytime, your 2 jetcat P-60's for my 2 new Artes Super B's, I will also pay for shipping, let me know. Joe. C

You're all to kind....."I think"
I'll keep my JetCat P60's and look forward to ordering more as the need arises.
Keep your Artes......

Dave "JetCat turbine owner" Rigotti