I just wanted to find out if anyone else has had this issue. I don't want to mention manufacturers as not to flame anyone. Just a general question on this.

I have 2 different turbines. Every once in a while one will stick and the other will stick after each run of the motor. There is nothing draging,no bearing issues, and with a soft push on the rotating assembly, they spin free with no noise.

I would like to know if anyone else has run into this. I am woundering if it might be my fue/oil combination. I use Country Fair Kerosean with the red dye in it. My oil is BP2380 and they are mixed to the manufactures percenages.

I was thinking of switching the Kerosean to Sheetz brand. It is a clear keroseane.

Thanks
Joe L.

I had a similar problem with a Wren engine & contacted them about it.

It was explained that the bearings are cageless & the balls' spacing around the races is not controlled. In some situations the balls can all bunch up anywhere around the races & this can lead to the 'sticky' feeling. It's nothing to worry about, just the nature of the bearings.

The other problem I had was related to Castrol TTS oil as recommended by Wren. If I left my engine months between runs the oil must have left a sticky deposit on the bearings & the starter struggled to spin the engine up on the first start of the day. Being a 2 stroke oil leaving a film of oil for corrosion protection is probably what it's designed to do. A change back to Mobil jet oil solved that problem. I have sinced changed to Mobil DTE light turbine oil. - John.

Joe I have seen happen on no less than four different brands of turbine. If there is no noise and it spins freely once you "unstick" it, I do not worry about it.

George

Joe,
It's a very aggrivating problem on a Flash because the wing has to be removed to get to the engine for that little flick. So yes, it happens.

Mark.
I bet you can go up the tailpipe with a wooden dowel and bump the rear wheel on the motor to save you from removing the wing.
V..

Yes indeedy! I have seen at least one guy using a 'tickle stick' at a jet fly in.

I'm sure BVM sells them, painted purple. Only $199.95! - John.

Vincent,
Yeah, I've thought of that but I forget about it until it happens. I even tried to help it along with my blower and the GCU but that didn't work.

And it probaply is anodized aluminium with a rubber tip

Another option could be to make giving it a nudge with your finger before assembly part of your assembly check list.

Then you wont need the purdy purple shtick.

Had the same problem with my Wren 54. Changed oils and the problem went away. I was running a 5% oil mix because my other engines required that percentage . . . maybe that had something to do with it.

Jeff,
It has been part of my checklist since the first time it happened. But it happened again after the plane was sitting for a few hours.

Froth,
That could be too. My fuel supply is gradually thinning out to 3% as I use up the old 5% I needed in one engine. I'm not using that engine now.

Hi Joe,

I have noted this as well, and like most of the guys are saying if accessable just give the turbine a spin by hand 5 mins after you have shut down, you can then leave it for months, and it will not stick again till next time you run it.

And rest assured there is nothing wrong with the turbine.

Alistair.

Mark

What oil are you using now.

Joe

Froth

What oil are you using now
Joe

Joe,
I just recently switched to DTE Light but it did it before with Aeroshell 500 too.

Mark.
Don't stop flying. Aerial refuling is your answer

Hi Joe,

We use Aeroshell 500 exclusivly and we have not seen "sticking" unless the engine sets unsued for long periods of time (> 2 months). Depending on the oil used we receive engines in for service that exhibit this condition so I know it is oil related and as soon as propane is applied during the start, it frees up almost immediately. Coupled with the cageless bearings, this is a somewhat common observation.

Take care.

HI, don"t use 2380, I have always used Aero Shell 500, and the only time I used 2380, my P80 started to stick, I only use 500 from now on.
Rcpete

I changed to BP 2380. But as soon as it's used up, I'm going to DTE Light.

Dom,
I'm going to "hot fuel" just to keep up with you.